If you put too much junk in your recycling bin, your town, which pays to recycle, can be hit with surcharges. But it's hard to know what's what. "No lids, no straws, no coffee cups, please," Carey ...

Cleaning metal cans Don't do this: Toss cans into the recycling bin before cleaning. If foods or liquids are left in the cans, they can contaminate an entire batch of recyclables.

In some places, recycling is mandatory. In Saratoga County, the recycling of newspapers, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, and metal cans is required or you could be fined.

Staggering quantities of energy transition metals are winding up in the garbage bin Recycling more of the copper, aluminum, and other minerals in our old electronics could reduce the need for mining.