Every city/county has its own curbside recycling rules.  In many places, there are also public bins for recycling and composting.

These systems can’t work efficiently unless people cooperate.  We must be aware of which items go into which bins, and whether any special steps are required to prepare those items (such as removing bottle caps or rinsing containers) before they are discarded.

Almost everyone can find online information for the rules in their own communities, and printed instructions are often posted on the bins.  Please study these rules and take heed.

Yesterday (August 2), The New York Times posted a short article on their website describing the challenges recyclers face in dealing with a partially informed public.  Here’s a link: