Top Ten Earth Day Actions: #5 Seriously, Recycle.

I played The Gotham Gazette Garbage Game and sent 1,898,029 tons of refuse across 577,916 miles.

In NYC, recycling is required by law.  The system may seem confusing at first, but do yourself and the Sanitation Department a favor and read this list:

What and How to Recycle:
PAPER & CARDBOARD

YES - PLACE IN RECYCLING		NO - PLACE IN TRASH
white, colored, and glossy paper (staples OK) mail and envelopes (window envelopes OK) wrapping paper (remove ribbon and tape) smooth cardboard (food boxes — remove inside & outside plastic wrappers — shoe boxes, tubes from paper towel and toilet paper rolls, cardboard from product packaging) paper bags cardboard egg cartons and trays newspapers, magazines, and catalogs phone books, softcover books (paperbacks, comic books, etc.; no spiral bindings) corrugated cardboard (flattened boxes)		hardcover books napkins, paper towels, or tissues soiled paper cups or plates paper soiled with food or liquid paper with a lot of tape and glue plastic- or wax-coated paper (candy wrappers, take-out containers, etc.) photographic paper

Place all paper together in CLEAR bags, or in any bin labeled with green recycling decals or marked " MIXED PAPER". (Or place in the white dumpster for paper recycling, if your building has one.)
Flatten and bundle large pieces of corrugated cardboard and tie with sturdy twine, or break into small pieces to place in your recycling bin or bag. (Or place loose in the white dumpster for paper recycling, if your building has one.)
See how you can reduce your junk mail.
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What and How to Recycle:
BEVERAGE CARTONS, BOTTLES, CANS, METAL & FOIL

YES - PLACE IN RECYCLING		NO - PLACE IN TRASH OR DISPOSE PROPERLY
metal cans (soup, pet food, empty aerosol cans, dried-out paint cans, etc.) aluminum foil wrap & trays household metal (wire hangers, pots, tools, curtain rods, knives, small appliances that are mostly metal, etc.) bulk metal (metal furniture, cabinets, large appliances, etc.) glass bottles & jars only plastic bottles & jugs only  milk cartons & juice boxes (or any such cartons and aseptic packaging for drinks: ice tea, soy milk, soup, etc.)		plastic items other than plastic bottles & jugs (such as deli and yogurt containers; plastic toys, cups, wrap, etc. — if it's not a bottle or jug, DON'T put it in the recycling bin, place in trash) any glass items other than glass bottles & jars (mirrors, lightbulbs, ceramics, glassware, etc.), place in trash Styrofoam (cups, egg cartons, trays, etc.) place in trash batteries   plastic bags

Empty and rinse containers before recycling. Place all together in CLEAR bags, or in any bin labeled with blue recycling decals or marked "BOTTLES & CANS".
Remove caps & lids. Place METAL caps & lids in the recycling bin; put plastic caps & lids in the garbage.
Wrap knives or similar sharp metal objects in cardboard (such as a piece of cereal box) and secure with tape. Label the package "CAUTION: SHARP" and place with other designated metal, glass, plastic recyclables. For Home Sharps/Hypodermics, see Household Medical Wastes.
Place bulk metal next to recycling bins or bags.
Call 311 before discarding appliances that contain CFC gas.
5¢ deposit: Bring deposit bottles and cans back to the store for refunds.