18 Household Items You Should Never Recycle, According to Experts

To-Go Coffee Cups

It may not be the case for all to-go coffee cups, but most disposable coffee cups are lined with plastic to prevent leaks, making them unrecyclable in curbside systems, says Ryan Metzger, CEO and co-founder of Ridwell. Surprisingly, even cups marked "compostable" may not be accepted unless your city has a commercial composting program. Check with your local composting centers, but these cups are most likely destined for the trash.

Plastic Straws

Plastic straws should never be recycled. "Plastic straws are too small and light to be captured by the recycling equipment," says Metzger. "They often slip through the system and end up contaminating other materials."

Luckily, many retailers have swapped out plastic straws for compostable paper straws, and reusable metal straws are widely available for purchase. Additionally, many restaurants and coffee shops now offer cups with openings that don't require straws.

Lightbulbs

Read the box your lightbulbs came in before recycling them. Many different materials can be used to make a lightbulb, and not all of them are recyclable. For example, the mercury in certain bulbs poses a safety hazard to recycling and trash facilities. Metzger recommends finding a proper recycling facility for your used light bulbs. 

Receipts

While some paper products can be recycled, receipts are an exception. "Receipts cannot be recycled due to the fact that they’re usually printed on thermal paper, which has a chemical coating," says Graham Matthews, head of content at Business Waste.com. "This means it doesn’t break down correctly during recycling." Instead, place receipts in the trash or avoid them whenever possible.

Plastic Grocery Bags

Plastic bags are lightweight and flexible, so they get tangled in sorting machines and disrupt the entire recycling process, says Metzger. Before throwing your plastic grocery bags in the trash, consider repurposing them as shoe covers when you pack for travel or as wrapping for delicate items in storage. They can also carry groceries and household goods multiple times before wearing out, so you might tuck them in your car for your next shopping trip.

Makeup Wipes and Facial Cleansing Cloths

Avoid tossing used face wipes in your recycling bin. "These items often contain synthetic fibers and are contaminated with oils and makeup residue, making them non-recyclable," explains Kimberly Shenk, co-founder and CEO of Novi. Sadly, wipes need to be deposited in the trash. A more sustainable choice is to switch to reusable cotton rounds or washable cloths, she adds.

Paper Towels

Paper towels are often used to mop up food debris, spilled liquids, and other messes that can lead to mold growth and weaken the fibers of the paper so it can’t be recycled into quality new paper, says Matthews. 

Wet Wipes

Similarly, wet wipes are typically too dirty after being used to be recycled. Their composition poses a hindrance as well. “Many wet wipes are made from synthetic materials that don’t break down in the same way as other recyclable materials,” says Matthews. 

Batteries

Batteries should never go in your recycling or garbage bins, warns Metzger, as they can cause fires in trucks and facilities if they’re damaged. He suggests looking for community e-waste collection events or drop-off sites to dispose of them responsibly and safely. Additionally, if the batteries are still usable, consider posting them in a Buy Nothing group so that someone else can use them. 

Disposable Razors

Because they are made from a mix of plastic and metal, disposable razors cannot be easily separated for recycling, says Shenk. "Instead, look for razor take-back programs or switch to a reusable razor with replaceable blades," she suggests.

Prescription Bottles and Pharmaceuticals

Though you should check your local laws, most curbside recycling does not accept empty prescription and medicinal bottles due to their small size and the type of plastic they are made from. Without question, no pharmaceuticals whatsoever should be placed in the recycling bin, as they could end up in waterways or soil, says Simar Bedi, founder and CEO of Sol Recycling. Instead, ask your local pharmacy for safe medication disposal programs. 

Toothpaste Tubes

After squeezing the last bit of toothpaste from the tube, think twice before tossing it into the recycling bin. "While toothpaste tubes feel like plastic, most are actually made from a combination of plastic and aluminum, which is difficult to separate during recycling," says Shenk. Only certain brands offer recyclable options, so shop consciously and check the packaging for specific disposal instructions.

Plastic Utensils

When the party’s over, avoid throwing your used plastic utensils into the recycling bin. Unfortunately, most plastic forks, spoons, and knives are typically made from mixed or low-grade plastics and aren't recyclable. "They are generally hard to process due to their plastic type and can often fall through sorting machines at recycling facilities, so they’ll often end up in landfills," says Shenk. As an alternative, opt for reusable utensils. There are also specialized programs that will accept plastic utensils locally.

Contact Lenses

Contact lens packaging may be recyclable, but the contacts themselves are made of small, flexible plastics and are non-recyclable, says Shenk. She recommends contacting various optical companies for specific recycling programs for lenses.

Cleaning Product Bottles (That Aren't Cleaned)

Thoroughly wash your cleaning product bottles before placing them in the recycling bin, as anything coated in chemicals is strongly prohibited. "Even if the bottle is itself recyclable, leftover cleaning chemicals can contaminate the recycling stream," says Shenk. If you must dispose of a bottle of cleaning product before it is empty, she emphasizes doing so at a hazardous waste facility. 

Clothing Hangers

Hangers are usually made from a mix of materials, including plastic, metal, or both, making them difficult to recycle, says Metzger. Additionally, the metal can get stuck in the recycling equipment and cause problems. However, your local recycling center might accept certain hangers, and scrap metal dealers might also take them off your hands. Luckily, hangers are always in demand and can be donated or reused.

Laminated Posters and Wax-Coated Boxes

Anything poly or wax-coated, including boxes with a wax coating and laminated posters, should not be recycled. "The coating on these makes them a 'blend' that cannot be sorted," Bedi explains.

Containers With Food Residue

Rinse or scrub jars, tins, and tubs thoroughly to remove any food residue before placing them in your recycling bin. "Contaminated containers with content still in them (think peanut butter) should not be recycled," says Bedi, adding that they will inevitably end up in a landfill if they're not entirely cleaned out.