How to be a Successful Recycler

Many of us know how to recycle but do we know how to be successful recyclers? There are five key things to keep in mind before you place items in your recycling cart. 

Get to know what your local recycling program can accept. Corpus Christi accepts paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, jugs, and containers, aluminum and steel cans.

Don’t trust the chasing arrows (recycling symbol). The symbol represents the type of plastic resin used to make the item. It does not mean that it can be recycled locally. If you look to the symbol for guidance, the Corpus Christi recycling program can accept numbers 1, 2, and 5. These numbers are commonly found on bottles, jugs, and a variety of containers.

Always keep recyclable material loose in the recycling cart. Plastic bags and shrink wrap of any kind are not accepted by the Corpus Christi recycling program.

Remember to empty and flatten cardboard boxes. This conserves space, reduces the likelihood of it becoming wedged in your recycling cart, and ensures successful processing. Please remove all packing peanuts, Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and plastic packaging and discard in the trash.

When in doubt, throw it out. If it’s not something that your local program accepts it’s best to throw it away in the trash cart.

Interested in learning more about the City of Corpus Christi recycling program? Visit  www.cctexas.com/howtorecycle