Recycling

Posted November 1, 2026

Baba’s quote: “God’s creation is very sacred. Do not pollute it. How sacred are the five elements given by God! But today the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the sound we hear – everything is polluted. All these sacred elements have been made unsacred by humanity. That is why the world today is afflicted with so many diseases. That one is a true human being who makes sacred use of the five elements. Never waste natural resources.

~Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. 29 (1996)

Tidbit: Are you consciously recycling?

What is recycling? It is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash. The recycled material is then made into new products. This activity conserves energy and natural resources, and can benefit the community, the economy, and the environment.

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/frequent-questions-recycling

What can you recycle curbside?

https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-right/recycling-101

Plastic bottles, cups, containers: Generally, plastic labeled #1 and #2 are recyclable curbside
Food and Beverage cans: Tin, stainless steel, and aluminum
Food and Beverage containers: Milk cartons, juice boxes, and food cartons
Flattened cardboard and paperboard
Paper and paper cups: Paper, newspaper, magazines, and empty paper cups
Glass bottles and containers: Rules vary by state

Remember not to put the recyclables in a plastic bag, but instead put them directly into the recycling bin.

What can you not recycle? Check locally for special collection programs for these items:

Shredded paper
Tissue paper, paper towels, toilet paper
Plastic bags
Batteries
Plastic wrap and film
Plastic packaging: Flexible packaging like chip bags and juice or soup pouches
Polystyrene foam: polystyrene cups and containers, peanuts (check local shipping stores, they may accept)
Tangling items: Garden hoses, rope, leashes, wire, holiday lights, string and chains
Dirty Diapers
Household items: Pots, Pans, Clothing, textiles, shower curtains, mini-pools, fencing, and furniture.
Medical waste
Garage waste: Car parts, scrap metal, tires, filters, propane cylinders
Green waste from the yard
Food Waste
Wood
Clothes hangers

Recycling resources by state: Standard accepted items usually include paper, cardboard, metal cans, plastics, and glass. Check local county and city policies.

Virginia: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

https://www.deq.virginia.gov/land-waste/waste-management/recycling/statewide-recycling-programs

Maryland: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/WasteManagement/Pages/Recycling.aspx

Delaware: https://dswa.com/programs/single-stream-recycling/

https://dnrec.delaware.gov/waste-hazardous/recycling/what/#/topic/acceptable-to-recycle-curbside

Pennsylvania: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/residents/recycling-and-disposal

New Jersey: https://dep.nj.gov/sustainability/outreach-and-education/recycling/

New York: https://recyclerightny.org/

https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/residents/recycling.page

https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/recycling-composting/more-things-you-can-recycle