What’s a “tangler”? Anything that jams sorting machinery at the recycling center by wrapping around the equipment discs and wheels is a tangler.

TIP: Some of these items can be recycled at special drop-off locations. Find more information about recycling tanglers at Cheboygan County Recycling.

No extension cords

No wire hangers

No rope

No light strings

No plastic hangers

All recyclables need to be loose. We know it’s tempting to keep things orderly by putting all your recyclables in plastic (or paper) bags – but it’s a bad idea. Here’s why:

• Recyclables need to be loose for sorting at the facility.
• Bagged items often get thrown out since facilities can’t safely determine what’s inside without risk to their employees.

No recyclables in a plastic bag

Loose recyclables

Not all plastics are created recyclable. Manufacturers make thousands of complex plastics formulated specifically for the exact requirements of a certain product. Unfortunately, this means that plastics formed into different kinds of items generally aren’t compatible for recycling together. The organizations Cheboygan County supplies can use only CONTAINER forms of plastic in their manufacturing processes. Find more information about recycling plastics at Cheboygan County Recycling.

Plastic bottles, jugs and containers are recyclable – always rinse, empty and put the lid/cap back on before recycling.

Plastic jugs and containers

Laundry detergent bottles

Milk jugs

Water bottles

Clean plastic takeout food containers

No plastic utensils, straws, toothbrushes

You’re lucky. Cheboygan County is the only county in Michigan that allows plastic bags to be recycled curbside. So, relish in your privilege and stuff all of your plastic bags into a single plastic bag so they do not escape your bin and can be sorted efficiently. When we say “plastic bags,” what do we mean exactly? We mean flexible plastics like those shown below.

While plastic bags and shredded paper should be bagged, all other mixed containers should be left loose.

TIP: Reuse your smaller plastic bags as trash can liners or to pick up pet waste.

Plastic bags

Bread bags

Plastic sandwich baggies

Air pillows used in packaging

Plastic shipping envelopes

Bathroom tissue & paper towel wrapping

Why all the hoopla about recycling? Recycling offers countless benefits.

• Recycling reduces the amount of garbage that goes into landfills.
• Recycling is great for the economy – locally and statewide. It provides jobs and creates opportunities for businesses.
• Reusing materials we’ve already created helps conserve natural resources.
• Recycling reduces pollution, including greenhouse gases.
• Recycling helps protect our wildlife habitats.

Flattened cardboard

Metal cans of various sizes

Plastic jugs, containers and bottles

Office paper and folders

Newspapers

Junk mail