It's Easy Being Green

Talked to the garbage man lately? Chances are you're doing a few things with your recyclables that drive him crazy. Local recycling practices vary, but there are some universal no-nos.

Shopping bags never go in your bins, even if they do organize the empty vino bottles nicely. Look on the bottom of your plastic items for a number and only put the articles with a 1 or 2 in your bin; most areas don’t take the ones with higher numbers.

Don’t put light bulbs, broken glass, or bits of food in your bin, either. They gum up the process and make your waste professionals feel a little, well, tossed aside.