Paperboard cartons that hold beverages like milk, juices and even shelf-stable soups are made from layers of mixed materials, called aseptic containers, that used to be hard to recycle. Today, many curbside recycling programs accept them as the efficiency and ability to recycle them has grown. But items like takeout containers and ice cream cartons -- which feel like aseptic containers -- are not recyclable. While they look and feel the same, they are not considered shelf stable, and they are made from entirely different, nonrecyclable materials.

It seems ridiculous to bag grass clippings and put them out for trash pickup. Grass clippings are nutrient dense and perfect to help feed and keep a lawn lush and healthy. The old-fashioned way to reuse these clippings was to compost them into mulch. This method took a lot of effort to build a compost, wait for it to decompose and then spread it over the lawn. But new lawnmower technologies feature something called a “recycler cutting deck.” As you mow, it automatically re-cuts the clippings into smaller pieces, which are immediately spread across the lawn. Look for this feature the next time you’re investing in a new lawnmower.

Recycling scrap metal is an easy way to turn some old metal furniture, building supplies and other metallic items into cash. But not all metal is alike or worth the same amount. The simple test is to see if a magnet sticks to your metal recyclable. If it does, it’s ferrous metal, which is likely steel or iron. Ferrous metal is less valuable, but still very much recyclable. If the magnet does not stick, there is a good chance it’s a much more valuable material like copper, brass, bronze or stainless steel.