Break down cardboard, shirt and gift boxes so more can fit in the recycling container and fall out readily as it is emptied, Allen said. "Cardboard is good; bubble wrap is garbage.

The complex U.S. recycling system has many of us constantly asking whether we can recycle items like styrofoam, bubble wrap, and more. Here are the answers.

Paper gift bags Paper gift-wrap Before putting boxes into the recycle bin, be sure to break them down flat and remove any tape or ties. For more information on recycling and what items can and can’t ...