What Can Be Recycled at Your Thanksgiving Feasts?

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and of course—a lot of food! Before the big day comes, now is a great time to learn how you can incorporate recycling into your holiday gatherings. Many common Thanksgiving items can be placed in your curbside recycling cart, while others belong in the trash or compost.

Recyclable Thanksgiving Items:

• Cans: Aluminum, tin, and steel beverage cans, soup cans, and glass bottles can all be emptied and recycled.
• Glass bottles and jars: Empty clear, brown, or green glass bottles and jars.
  
• Boxes and cartons: Cardboard boxes from stuffing mix, pie crusts, and beverages are recyclable. Remove the plastic lining and flatten boxes before placing them in your cart.
  
• Paper items: Clean paper packaging, paper grocery bags, and paperboard (like cereal boxes, but without the plastic liner) are accepted in most curbside recycling programs.
• Plastic containers: Empty plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs labelled #1,  #2, or #5 are typically recyclable.
  

Items That Can’t Be Recycled:

• Food waste: FOOD SCRAPTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED AND CONTAMINATES YOUR WHOLE CART. Leftover turkey, gravy, and pie scraps belong in the compost or trash.
  
• Greasy paper or foil: Soiled aluminum foil, napkins, and paper plates can’t be recycled.
  
• Plastic utensils and cups: Single-use plastics used at gatherings aren’t recyclable.
• Foam trays and to-go containers: Styrofoam packaging should stay out of your curbside recycling cart.
  

This Thanksgiving, recycle right and give your community, local manufacturers who creates jobs, and the planet, something to be thankful for!