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United States (US)

The United States is a federation of 50 states and the District of Columbia spanning six time zones from the Atlantic to the Pacific, plus Alaska and Hawaii.

Capital: Washington, D.C.
Region: Americas
Language: English
Currency: USD ($)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 75)
Emergency: 911
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Recycling & Waste in United States

Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.

No federal recycling system. Varies wildly by city. Single-stream common. Landfill cheap so US recycling rates ~32% — lower than EU. 10 states have bottle deposit.

The Bin System

General Waste

Black/Gray

Trash / Garbage

Accepts
  • ✓Non-recyclable household waste
  • ✓Food waste (unless composting program)
  • ✓Soiled paper and contaminated packaging
  • ✓Broken items too small to recycle
  • ✓Most plastic film and flexible packaging
Not accepted
  • ✗Electronics and batteries
  • ✗Hazardous chemicals
  • ✗Construction debris
  • ✗Medical waste and sharps

Single-Stream Recycling

Blue

Recycling

Accepts
  • ✓Paper and cardboard (flattened)
  • ✓Plastic bottles #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE)
  • ✓Aluminum and steel cans
  • ✓Glass bottles and jars (some cities only)
  • ✓Clean food packaging
Not accepted
  • ✗Plastic bags and film
  • ✗Styrofoam
  • ✗Greasy or food-soiled paper
  • ✗Plastics #3-#7 in many cities
  • ✗Broken glass (safety risk)

Organics / Compost

Green

Compost / Green Bin

Accepts
  • ✓Food scraps (fruits, vegetables, meat in some programs)
  • ✓Yard waste (leaves, grass)
  • ✓Certified compostable packaging (BPI logo)
  • ✓Coffee grounds and filters
  • ✓Paper napkins and towels (soiled)
Not accepted
  • ✗Plastic bags (non-compostable)
  • ✗Pet waste in curbside (some exceptions)
  • ✗Recyclables
  • ✗Treated wood and diseased plants

Yard Waste

Brown

Yard Waste

Accepts
  • ✓Grass clippings
  • ✓Leaves
  • ✓Small branches
  • ✓Garden trimmings
Not accepted
  • ✗Food waste
  • ✗Pet waste
  • ✗Plastic bags
  • ✗Rocks and soil

Bottle Bills (10 states) — Bottle Deposit System

10 states have container deposit laws: CA, CT, HI, IA, ME, MA, MI, NY, OR, VT. Consumers pay deposit 5-15¢ per container at purchase, redeem at store/redemption center.

Deposit Amounts

5¢ most states, 10¢ MI/OR, up to 15¢ VT large bottles

How to Return

Take cans/bottles to grocery stores or dedicated redemption centers. Some states use reverse vending machines.

Special Disposal

E-waste

Best Buy free TV/computer/phone recycling, Staples, manufacturer take-back programs

25 states ban e-waste in landfill. Check Earth911 for local drop-off.

Batteries

Home Depot, Lowes, Best Buy rechargeable battery drop bins; Call2Recycle.org for locator

Alkaline batteries OK in trash in most states; lithium/rechargeable must be recycled.

Hazardous Household Waste

Municipal HHW drop-off days; never drain

Includes paints, solvents, cleaners, pesticides. Check city schedule.

Paint

PaintCare program in 11 states — retail drop-off locations

Latex paint can be dried and trashed in most states; oil-based is hazardous.

Tires

Tire dealer takeback ($2-5/tire fee)

Illegal to landfill tires in most states.

Medications

DEA Drug Take Back Day; pharmacy disposal boxes at CVS/Walgreens; MedReturn locators

Do not flush medications — water contamination concern.

Cooking Oil

Some cities provide collection; never drain

Solidify and trash, or take to community collection events.

Textiles

Goodwill/Salvation Army donation; H&M in-store; American Textile Recycling Service drop boxes

Even worn/damaged clothing is recyclable via textile-specific programs.

Mattresses

Bedding recycling in CT/CA/RI/OR via Mattress Recycling Council

Fees vary by state. Otherwise bulk trash pickup or haul-away service.

Medical Sharps

Hospital sharps disposal; mail-in programs

Use FDA-cleared sharps container. Never in regular trash or recycling.

Bulk Waste

Varies by city — some include 1-2 bulk pickups/year in trash service; others charge $25-100 per item. Craigslist/Nextdoor free posts popular alternative.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ! Bagging recyclables in plastic bags (contaminates stream)
  • ! Putting greasy pizza boxes in recycling
  • ! Recycling plastic bags curbside (take to grocery store drop-off)
  • ! Including styrofoam (not recyclable curbside)
  • ! Recycling plastic film/wrap curbside
  • ! Wishcycling — when unsure, throw it away

Fines & Enforcement

Municipal fines for contamination: $50-500. Illegal dumping: $500-10,000 + misdemeanor in most states.

Practical Tips

  • → Check EarthEasy/Earth911 for nearest recycling
  • → Rinse containers before recycling
  • → Flatten cardboard
  • → Know your city's rules — they differ
  • → Donate before discarding
  • → Reduce first — packaging adds up