How to Recycle Almost Anything

Should you toss it in the garbage, or can it be recycled? If so, how, where, when? Here is the scoop from the Village of Mamaroneck’s Committee for the Environment (CFTE) about the environmentally correct disposal of some common household items.

Books: Books, hardcover and soft, are not recyclable. If they are in good condition, try to sell them or donate to a library or thrift shop. 

Prescription or over-the-counter drugs: Do not flush down the sink or the toilet. Mix with garbage and throw away. Alternatives: Take expired or unneeded drugs to the H-MRF (see Hazardous Waste, below). Or drop them at any time day or night in the special collection boxes at the White Plains Police Department (77 S. Lexington Ave.) or the Rye City Police Department (21 McCullogh Pl.). 

Aerosol cans: If they are empty, recycle them. If not, in the garbage they go!

Non-rechargeable and alkaline rechargeable batteries can be tossed in with the household trash. Drop off other rechargeables at any retailer that sells them.

CFL bulbs/fluorescent tubes: Take intact used bulbs tothe returns desk at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Carefully scoop up broken bulbs or tubes using disposable gloves and cardboard, seal in two plastic bags, put in your outside garbage container. Include the gloves and the cardboard.

Paint: Harden unused paint by mixing with kitty litter or other absorbent pellet material. Place empty or hardened cans, lids off, next to your garbage can.

Ink and toner cartridges: Take them to Staples office supply store where you’ll get a $2 credit for each empty cartridge.

Cellphones: Drop-off locations for unwanted cellphones and other electronics include BestBuy, Home Depot, Staples, Verizon, AT&T, RadioShack.

Computers, TVs, monitors, and anything else that plugs into the wall (broken lamps, hair dryers, appliances, printers, scanners, microwaves, phones, blenders, etc.): Take it all to the Recycling Center on Fayette Ave (off Fenimore Rd.). Or you may place TVs, monitors, and computers at the curb on 5th Wednesdays of the month. Call the DPW (777-7745) in advance for a pickup.

Except: “White waste” (refrigerators, washers, stoves, etc.) is not accepted at the Recycling Center.  It is picked up at the curb (Freon removed) on your once-a-month Bulk Metal Day. No call needed. Even better: Con Edison will take away your unwanted refrigerators and freezers (Freon intact), paying $50 each for the privilege!

Plastic cups, glasses, utensils, dishes: Recycle those coded 1-7.

Styrofoam and bubblewrap: Dispose with the trash. TakeStyrofoam “peanuts” and bubble wrap to ASAP to be used again.

Eyeglasses: Drop them in the Lions’ Club receptacles located at the Mamaroneck Public Library, the U.S. Post Office, local banks, and eyeglass retailers. They will be donated to people who need them.

Towels, bed linens, blankets, small rugs: Animal shelters---for example, Pet Rescue at 7 Harrison Avenue and the New Rochelle Humane Society---want them for bedding and comfort.

Milk cartons, frozen-food, butter, juice, ice cream boxes: Throw them out. Because they are waxed, they cannot be recycled. All other cardboard boxes are recyclable, no matter what color, kind, or purpose.

Plastic yogurt, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream containers: They qualify. Rinse them and put them in your recycling bin.

Flower pots: Recycle plastic pots. Give away or toss pots made of ceramic or clay.

Hangers: Not recyclable. Offer metal hangers to your dry cleaner.

Dishes, ceramics, windows, drinking glasses, mirrors, etc.: Broken, they go in the trash. Whole, they go to a thrift shop or a friend who can use them.

Plastic bags: Never include with your recyclables. Here’s what is acceptable in the designated containers at supermarkets and other big stores: clean dry plastic bags from retailers, groceries, dry cleaners, newspapers. Also packaging from paper goods, bread, etc.,shrink wrap, freezer and storage bags.

Tires: Retailers, including Mavis Discount Tires, accept them for free or for a nominal fee.

Building materials: Give a second life to construction materials (asphalt shingles, brick, dry wall, cement blocks, lumber, paint, etc.) left over from home repairs or unwanted after demolition. Offer them to Westchester Habitat for Humanity (636-8335) or click here for other options.

Any questions? Call one of the following:

  • DPW: 777-7745
  • Village Manager: 777-7703
  • Westchester County Recycling Hotline: 813-5425