The Results Are in…Some of Us Are NOT Smarter Than a Fourth Grader
The results of our quiz  are in and it is unfortunate to say that most people are not smarter than our local fourth graders, as the average quiz score was 60%. There were many questions that confused community members and we are here to set the record straight! Below are the correct answers, with explanations as to why. If you have further questions or would like to discuss your grade, please contact the office at 309-454-3169 or visit RecycleBN.org.
1. What should you do with plastic grocery bags when done using them
a. Reuse them at home – Reusing plastic bags is a great way to continue their product lifeline. You can use them to pick up animal waste, use as small trash bags, or use them at the grocery store again.
b. Place them in the garbage – although it is safe to put plastic bags in the landfill it takes 500-1,000 years for a single plastic bag to break down into smaller pieces.
c. Collection totes at the grocery store – local stores like Meijer, Walmart, and Jewel Osco have collection totes for plastic bags and other stretchable plastic like bread bags, dry cleaner bags, and newspaper sleeves.
d. Place them in the recycling – plastic bags are NOT recyclable in our curbside recycling as these items can harm machinery.
2. Select the Recyclable Items.
a. Plastic Silverware – these are not jugs, tubs, bottles, or jars and are not recyclable.
b. Milk Jug – these are jugs and are recyclable.
c. Fruit Container – these are not jugs, tubs, bottles, or jars and are not recyclable. Remember that tubs are defined as being round(ish), completely opaque, and having a lid that comes off and goes back on.
d. Salsa Jar – these are jars and are recyclable.
e. Two Liter Bottle – these are bottles and are recyclable.
f. To-Go Container - these are not jugs, tubs, bottles, or jars and are not recyclable. Remember that tubs are defined as being round(ish), completely opaque, and having a lid that comes off and goes back on.
3. How do you determine if a plastic item is recyclable or not?
a. It has a chasing arrow/recycling symbol on it
b. It is a number 1 or 2
c. It is a number 1, 2, 4, or 5
d. No plastic items are recyclable in McLean County
e. All plastic items are recyclable in McLean County
f. It is a bottle, tub, jug, or jar – in McLean County bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars are recyclable. Many may be aware of the number system however this is an outdated system that is no longer used to define recyclables in the State of Illinois.
4. Select the recyclable items for single stream curbside recycling.
a. Banana Peels – are compostable through the BN Community Composting Program or in backyard compost piles but are not recyclable.
b. Chip Bags – are not recyclable but can be dropped off at Grossinger Subaru for teracycle.
c. Mason Jars – are made from glass and are recyclable. Make sure to remove the metal lid and place with other scrap metal.
d. Pop Can – are made from aluminum and are recyclable (if it has a paper sticker or shrink wrap plastic label on the outside that must be removed before the can can be recycled).
f. Clothing – is not recyclable in curbside collections, but can be donated at local thrift and resale stores.
g. Paper Coffee Cups - are not recyclable due to the plastic coating on the inside of the cups.
5. If you are unsure if an item is recyclable or not, you should….
a. Google it – although great, Google is not going to give accurate information for our local area.
b. Check Recycle Coach or RecycleBN.org – these are great resources with up to date local information!
c. When in doubt throw it out – it might seem odd but we would rather have you throw an item away then put it in the recycling if you are unsure if it is recyclable or not. We want to discourage wish-cycling or placing non-recyclables in the recycling cart.
6. Select the compostable items in a backyard compost.
a. Coffee Grounds – fruits, veggies, coffee, and tea are common compostable items. However, meat, dairy, bones, fish, and prepared foods are NOT compostable in a backyard compost.
b. Apple Core
c. Chicken Bones
d. Potato Peels
e. Half Eaten Waffle
f. Moldy Cheese
7. What is the best thing to do with a used takeout container?
a. Throw it away
b. Recycle it
c. Reuse it – takeout containers that are microwave and dishwasher safe are great for reuse! When broken, please throw away as these items are not recyclable.
8. What is the correct disposal method for batteries?
a. Dispose at Interstate Batteries or Batteries Plus Bulbs – household batteries can be taken to either of these two locations for proper disposal. Please make sure to either individually bag or tape the ends to avoid fires during transportation. Batteries should never be placed in single stream recycling.
b. Put in single stream recycling
c. Throw in the garbage
9. What is the correct disposal method for motor oil?
a. Garbage
b. Recycling
c. Take to an automotive store – most automotive stores will collect automotive liquids for proper disposal. For a list of locations visit RecycleBN.org.
10. Clean aluminum foil should be disposed of in the…
a. Garbage
b. Compost
c. Recycling – Foil that is clean and dry can be put in the recycling. |
