How To Start Your Recycling Journey

Author: Hai Le

Updated on October 14, 2025 • Estimated read time: 6 minutes

One of the easiest ways to reduce your environmental impact is to recycle what you already use. When you recycle, you transform old materials into something new, reducing the number of raw materials needed during the manufacturing process.

Fun Fact: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (2018), the average person in the United States generates 4.9 pounds of trash every day, but much of it (32.1%) can be recycled or composted.

And getting started with recycling isn't difficult either, and you can do it at home, at work, or on the go. Take 10 minutes out of your day to read this article if you're new to recycling or want to improve your recycling habits.

In this blog post, I'll show you how to start recycling, including the benefits of recycling, how to join a recycling program or use a recycling drop-off center, as well as valuable tips and tricks for successful recycling.

The Benefits Of Recycling

Fun Fact: According to the Florida Institute of Technology, each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy, and 7,000 gallons of water. This represents a 64% energy savings, a 58% water savings, and 60 pounds less of air pollution.

Before you dive into your recycling journey, it's important to understand why it's worth your effort. So here are some straightforward benefits of recycling:

• Conserves Natural Resources: Recycling reduces the need to extract new raw materials like timber, water, and minerals from the earth. For example, recycling paper means reducing the demand for new paper, which saves forests that provide oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and shelter wildlife from being cut down.
• Reduces Pollution: Recycling helps to reduce pollution by keeping waste out of landfills and incinerators. Landfills produce methane, while incinerators release harmful stuff into the air.
• Saves Energy: Recycling requires less energy than manufacturing products from virgin materials. This helps reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
• Supports The Economy: Believe it or not, recycling creates thousands of jobs in collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing. According to the EPA, the recycling industry supports over 681,000 jobs and generates $37.8 billion (wages) in 2020.
• Protects Ecosystems & Wildlife: By reducing the demand for raw material extraction, recycling helps preserve natural habitats and prevents plastic waste from entering the environment, where it harms wildlife and disrupts our ecosystems.

So if you still wonder whether you should recycle or not, the answer is clear. Recycling is one of the simplest, most impactful steps you can take to help protect our environment and build a sustainable future for our children.

Summary: Recycling is a win-win for both the environment and the economy. It conserves natural resources, minimizes pollution, reduces energy consumption, and creates jobs. By recycling, you’re not only keeping waste out of landfills and oceans but also contributing to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.

Photo: © Industrial Photograph via canva.com

Join A Recycling Program

Begin by finding out what recycling programs are available in your area and join them. Your local government typically offers a range of recycling programs to support you on your recycling journey, so take advantage of these resources. (Curbside recycling services are valuable resources that help you stay consistent and ensure your recyclables are handled properly!)

If you are not aware of any recycling program available to you, simply give your local city waste management a call or visit your local government's website to see what you can do to get started.

Once you've joined a recycling program, they'll provide you with pickup schedules for collection days, detailed guides on accepted materials, and a recycling bin to participate in. You can also use this list of common recyclable materials made by Ecopify as a guideline to ensure you're recycling the right materials.

Pro Tip: To make recycling second nature in your house, set up a small recycling bin next to your indoor trash cans. That way, every time you are about to throw something in the trash, you can sort it. Should it go in the recycling bin or the trash can?

The recycling rates have increased worldwide over the past few decades, thanks largely to the growth of local recycling programs. However, contamination (putting wrong items in recycling bin) remains one of the biggest challenges, which is why following local guidelines is so important.

Summary: The first step I recommend you do when starting your recycling journey is to join your city's curbside recycling program. With scheduled pickups, clear guidelines, and dedicated bins, these programs make recycling super easy and convenient for you.

Photo: © JBryson via Getty Images

Use Recycling Drop-Off Center

Drop-Off Center is your way to go if you don’t have access to a curbside recycling program or simply prefer something more flexible. You can simply discover these Drop-Off centers through a quick online search on your phone. (They are widely available in most cities and towns!)

Generally speaking, you can bring most, if not all, of your recyclable items to these drop-off centers. They accept a variety of recyclable materials, including:

• Paper: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard boxes
• Plastic: Bottles, containers, jugs
• Metal: Aluminum cans, tin cans, scrap metal
• Glass: Clear, green, even brown bottles and jars
  

Pretty much the same, if not more than, a recycling program can offer!

Another cool thing about using a recycling Drop-Off Center is that you can also recycle your old electronic devices (e-waste), such as old phones, laptops, and small appliances. (So don't be shy to use them!)

Pro Tip: Never put your recyclables in plastic bags. Most recycling facilities or drop-off centers cannot process bagged recyclables, and the plastic bags themselves often jam sorting equipment. Instead, bring items loose in a bin, box, or reusable tote.

And remember to also encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to use recycling drop-off centers as well.

Summary: Recycling drop-off centers are a convenient alternative if curbside programs aren’t available in your area or you don't want to sign up for a recycling program. They accept a wide range of materials (often offering more options than curbside collection), including electronics, and help ensure your recyclables are properly processed.

Photo: © Robert Kneschke via canva.com

Doing Both At The Same Time

I mean not just both, but more. Most of the time, your local curbside program is not going to accept all your recyclable items. For example, I know that most recycling programs don't accept E-waste, such as old phones or laptops, but your nearby Drop-Off center has an e-waste recycling bin where you can recycle your old electronic devices.

Beyond recycling, reusing and donating are equally important.

Reusing can be as simple as repurposing glass jars for storage, turning old t-shirts into cleaning rags, or repairing items instead of buying new ones. These small actions extend the life of products and reduce the demand for new resources.

Donating your stuff to Goodwill or local shelters can also help reduce the number of materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Fun Fact: According to EarthDay.Org, Goodwill alone receives nearly 6 billion pounds of donated items each year! Keeping millions of garments and household goods out of landfills and extending their useful lives.

And don’t underestimate the ripple effect of sharing your recycling journey with others. When you tell friends, family, or coworkers how easy it is to recycle, donate, or drop off items, you encourage them to start too.

Summary: Recycling isn’t one-size-fits-all. Most curbside programs don’t accept every type of recyclable material. So by doing more, you're helping more. By combining curbside recycling, drop-off centers, and donation or reuse, you maximize your positive impact!

Quick Takeaway

Recycling not only conserves natural resources, reduces pollution, and saves energy, but also creates jobs for thousands of people around the world. If you are interested in starting your recycling journey, here are some steps to take:

1. Join Your Local Recycling Program: These programs make recycling easy and convenient by providing bins and scheduled pickups right at your doorstep. They’re the simplest way to ensure your recyclables are collected and processed properly.
2. Use Drop-Off Center: For those without access to curbside recycling programs or prefer something more flexible, drop-off centers are a great option. They accept a wider range of materials, including electronics (e-waste), which contain valuable metals and hazardous components that should never end up in your recycling bin or landfills.
3. Find Other Ways To Recycle: Not everything can belong in a recycling bin. Items like clothing, furniture, or household goods are often donated to charities or local shelters to extend their useful life and keep them out of landfills.

As always, this information is intended to encourage recycling and assist those wishing to recycle. Check with your local recycling program for the most accurate information, and if you have any questionable items that need to be recycled, use this search to find a local recycler.

Frequently Asked Questions Relate To This Blog:

Question #1: What is the best way to start recycling?

Answer: To start recycling, first find out what materials are accepted in your local recycling program. Once you know what items are recyclable, you can then set up a dedicated recycling bin in your home and begin collecting them.

Question #2: How can I reduce my waste even more?

Answer: To further reduce your waste, you can also start looking for ways like bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store, repairing items instead of replacing them, choosing products with minimal or recyclable packaging, and most importantly, avoiding single-use plastic.

Question #3: What are some resources that can help me learn more about recycling?

Answer: You can explore helpful resources like the EPA's Recycling Guide, Earth911's Recycling Center, and Recycling.com. These sites offer comprehensive guides, recycling tips, and tools to help you improve your recycling efforts and understand more about local recycling rules.

Question #4: How can I join a recycling program in my area?

Answer: Every area and country is different, so first check with your local city government or waste management services to see if they offer a curbside recycling program. You can usually find details on your local government’s website or by calling the waste management office. Once you sign up, you'll receive a recycling bin and pickup schedule, making recycling easy and convenient.