Fourth Of July Celebrations: What Can, Can't Be Recycled

Fourth of July is just a few days away, which means Rhode Islanders will be firing up their grills to celebrate with backyard barbecue. Disposable cups, plates, silverware and more make for easy cleanup, but they can also amount to a mountain of trash. Here's a look at what can be recycled, and what should stay in the trash bin.

As always, beer and soda cans, two-liter plastic bottles and glass bottles should be recycled. Before placing them in the bin, make sure all bottles and cans are empty, and rinse them out if possible to prevent nasty smells or mold.

Aluminum foil can also be recycled as long as it is clean. After grilling, give the foil a quick rinse to remove food residue, then ball it up and toss it into the bins.

Plastic cups are another good choice for barbecues, since they meet the under-five-gallon requirement for recyclable plastic containers. As with cans and bottles, make sure they are empty and rinse them out, if possible, before recycling.

Bamboo skewers used for grilling can be composted, said the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, though they recommend buying stainless steel skewers, which are more durable and can be reused indefinitely.

Plastic plates and utensils, soiled napkins and anything made of styrofoam—plates, containers, coolers and more—cannot be recycled and must be thrown away. While plastic plates are less than five gallons, they cannot be properly sorted, RIRRC said, and therefore must be thrown away.

To cut down on the amount of trash created by your barbecue, consider switching to a more eco-friendly alternative such as compostable plates and silverware. Another option? Use reusable, nonbreakable options such as regular silverware along with plastic cups and plates—now's not the time to use your wedding china.

Wondering what to do with unused or old fireworks? RIRRC said they should never be placed in recycling bins or trash cans, where they can pose a hazard to workers or equipment. Instead, call the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal's office (401) 889-5555 for safe disposal options.