Test your recycling IQ with this Earth Day quiz

Spring is in the air, and that means it’s here again Earth Day. This day was celebrated in 1970 to raise awareness of the damage to our environment. To reinforce this message, such as prominent companies apple and Microsoft Sold out Plan to reduce its carbon footprint and Use more renewable energy.

If you’re looking to get involved and do your part today, look no further than your home, school, office and the many other places you visit every day to help our environment. The possibilities are endless, but one of the most popular options is recycling.

According to Environmental Protection AgencyRecycling can help conserve natural resources and energy, generating more than $37 billion in wages. So, in celebration of Earth Day, let’s have a little fun and test your recycling knowledge.

Note: Recyclable items may vary by location, so check with your local recycling center or government agency if you have questions.

To recycle or not to recycle? Let us put your knowledge to the test

Pizza boxes?

Yes, according to the EPA, even grease-laden boxes can be recycled. However, food scraps such as uneaten peels should be removed, and the bins should be flattened.

Hardcover books?

No, hardcover books cannot be recycled. The covers are usually made of various materials, including plastic and leather, and are not recyclable. The glue that holds the books together can be difficult to separate from the pages as well. Instead of recycling a hardcover book, try donating it to a school, library, or non-profit organization. Donate books It can help people increase their vocabulary and improve their communication skills. In addition, it is a good way to save more space on your bookshelves.

Paperback books?

Yes, you can recycle paperback books, even if they are beyond repair. But as with paperbacks, you may want to consider donating the books if you want to get rid of them.

Batteries?

Yes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, lead-acid batteries are among the most recycled items, including automobile batteries. However, batteries require special handling, so they must be recycled in separate locations and cannot be recycled in your home recycling bin. this tool It can help you find a place to recycle your batteries.

Receipts?

No, you cannot recycle receipts. Most receipts are laminated Bisphenol AIt is a plastic compound more commonly known as BPA. This compound makes receipts unrecyclable, and may be harmful to your health, according to Mayo Clinic. The best way to dispose of receipts is to place them in the trash, but you may want to shred the receipt before throwing it away for financial security.

attachments?

Stickers can be fun, but unfortunately you can’t recycle them. The glue that holds labels in place can foul recycling machines, and some labels, such as vinyl labels, can be harmful to the environment.

Carpets?

Yes, carpets can be recycled. Almost all carpets can be dismantled and used to make new products, and the complex fibers of carpets make them nearly impossible to decompose in landfills. However, the infrastructure needed to recycle carpets is not widely available, and you cannot place carpets in the trash in your home. Non-profit Carpet restoration efforts in America It is one group working to put in place the infrastructure needed to recycle carpets everywhere. For now, use this tool To find a location that will recycle your carpet.

Engine oil?

Yes. Many garages and auto shops recycle old oil when you take your car in for an oil change. If you change the oil yourself, these same stores will usually accept the oil for recycling. Like batteries, motor oil should not be placed in your household recycling bin. The material used from one oil change is enough to contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water, according to the EPA. Use this tool To find a site that recycles used motor oil.

Biodegradable plastic?

No, although they are made from renewable materials, such as corn, cellulose and soy protein, biodegradable plastic cannot be recycled. “Compostable plastics are not intended to be recycled, and can contaminate and disrupt the recycling stream if mixed with non-compostable plastics,” according to the EPA.

Wrapping paper?

Trick question – yes and no. Glossy and laminated wrapping paper cannot be recycled, but recyclable wrapping paper is available. The Environmental Protection Agency says an alternative to recyclable wrapping paper is newspaper. Additionally, using newspaper as wrapping paper gives the gift recipient something to read while they wait to open their gift.

Bonus Round: Aluminum Cans?

Yes, empty aluminum cans can be recycled, but the cans cannot be crushed. The EPA says crushed cans are difficult to detect when sorted inside recycling facilities. All those TV shows and movies showing people crushing cans to take them to the recycling center lied to us.

For more, here How to recycle old technology and gadgets for free, Why wouldn’t you want to store your old technology and How does plastic recycling get this point wrong?.