Most people know how to recycle, basically, but there are nuances to be worked out. By now you’ve undoubtedly heard that recycling is an important part of maintaining our planet. Maybe you even make a conscious effort to reuse your computer paper. There’s a lot more to recycling though, than simply rinsing out empty soda bottles. Nearly everything can be recycled, though it may take a little research on your part to find out how. Setting up an efficient home system can also make recycling easier for you.

First, you need to know what your town will recycle. This is probably paper, glass and certain types of plastic. Generally your town sends out a sheet of what is acceptable and what is not. Tack this to a bulletin board or your fridge for easy reference. For anything you’d like to recycle but won’t be picked up by your town, a little digging will help. A site like the National Recycling Coalition can help you locate an organization that will accept your recyclables.

You’re more likely to recycle if it’s convenient for you. A recycling bin in the garage may not get as much use as that shiny trash can in your kitchen. To make recycling as easy as tossing something into the trash, set up a recycling system in your home. This may be as simple as hanging a bag inside a closet that you toss recyclables into. When the bag gets full, you can empty it into appropriate recycling containers somewhere else. Or, to make recycling really easy, get a divided container to keep in the kitchen. With a little shopping around, you can find one that will be aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.

If you live in a state that charges a deposit on beer and soda cans and bottles, make sure you keep those separate from other glass and plastic products. A bin or bag can store these until you’re ready to take them to a redemption center. You may be able to turn them in at your local supermarket or liquor store or you can take them to a recycling center and get your deposit (generally five to ten cents each) back. That can certainly add up!