Types of Waste Recycling

• The benefits of recycling range from environmental to economical, and limits to kinds of waste recycling are less than you might imagine. Recycling usually brings to mind just paper and plastic, but so much more is recyclable. Items such as old electronics, batteries, construction debris, some oils, food waste and even some hazardous materials all recycle. Find the proper recycling center with online recycling directories and do your part toward a greener future.

Everyday Household Recyclables

• Recycling paper, plastic and metal is the more common type of recycling. Curbside pickup by your town or county waste management usually take everyday items like cereal boxes, food cans and milk jugs. There are few restrictions on paper product recycling or even metal recycling -- as long as the metal is clean and free of food debris. Plastic that displays a 1 or 2 plastic resin code (the small imprint usually found in the shape of a triangle made with three arrows with the number in the middle) can also be recycled. Check with your recycling center or curbside pickup provider to find out how to sort and what type of waste to recycle.

Uncommon Household Recyclables

• You may not think of electronics, batteries, motor oil or light bulbs like you would everyday recycling items, but consider them a type of waste to recycle also. Recycle uncommon recyclable through recycling centers. Electronics considered recyclable waste include computers, entertainment devices and office equipment. Electronics can often be not just recycled but also refurbished or reused. Recycling batteries is important considering the chemical contents. Other hazardous waste types to recycle are fluorescent lamps and tubes and medical waste.

Food Waste

• The average American throws away 25 percent of prepared food each year, according to the U.S. EPA. Most food is a recyclable waste, whether through composting or food waste recycling processors. This type of food waste recycling is important for keeping landfills usable as long as possible by keeping materials that could be easily decomposed from filling up waste disposal sites.