Ever wonder what happens to recyclables after they are collected?  Well, those 5 plastic soda bottles went on to become that funky electric blue rock t-shirt that you just love!  Those aluminum cans were transformed into cool fans and pans, and the week's newspaper helped make housing insulation.  RECYCLE IT! and help guarantee that recyclable an afterlife.

Here is what you can do to save money and guarantee that recyclable an afterlife:

•  No. 1 and No. 2 plastics (milk jugs, liquid detergent containers, soft drink bottles, shampoo bottles, etc.)
  
• Glass (all colors)
  
• Newspaper (including inserts), magazines, telephone books and catalogs
  
• Spiral paper cans without wax coating
  
• Junk mail
  
• Aluminum cans
  
• Mixed paper
  
• Cardboard
  
• Gift wrap

 While you do not need to separate recyclables, we do ask that you please:

• Look for the recycling symbol (three arrows forming a triangle) at the bottom or side of the plastic with a No. 1 or No. 2 inside the symbol (please)
  
• Crush or flatten aluminum cans and plastic containers (where appropriate)
  
• Rinse and remove lids (where appropriate)
  
• Rinse or wipe out remaining food (where appropriate)
  
• Remove plastic or metal lids
  
• Stack newspapers and telephone books on top of, beside or underneath recycling bin
  
• Remove bows and/or ornaments from gift-wrap
  
• Cut (not fold) cardboard into 3-foot x 3-foot sections and stack neatly at curbside (please)

These things shouldn't go in the recycling bin:

• Pizza boxes
  
• Regular household garbage
  
• Wax-coated paper products
  
• Plastic bags
  
• Styrofoam
  
• Packing materials
  
• Food-contaminated paper products
  
• Old clothing
  
• Small appliances
  
• Hazardous materials (for a list of hazardous materials, go to www.wipeoutwaste.com)

Please dispose of these items properly.  Hazardous materials should be taken to one of Mecklenburg County's four recycling centers.  Find the full-service center nearest you by logging on to www.wipeoutwaste.com.

Other things to consider:

• Recycables are collected once a week the same day as garbage.  Recycling bins should be placed 2 feet from the curb and at least 3 feet away from other rollout cart, yard waste, bulky items and obstacles such as mailboxes, telephone poles and automobiles.
  
• Please place your recycling bin at the curb no later than 6:30 a.m. the day of your scheduled collection day.
  
• New, replacement or additional recycling bins are available at several locations throughout the city.  For a list of locations go to http://curbt.charmeck.org.

 For more information call 311 or log on to curbit.charmeck.org.