Set aside some storage space for your recyclables. This storage space doesn't have to be inside, but it should be clean and out of the rain because water and dirt in containers interfere with recycling.

If you don't have a special container for your recyclables, you can use any sturdy container from your house such as a cardboard box, crate or bucket.

Rinse recyclable beverage and food containers to keep insects away.

If you collect a lot of recyclables, crush or flatten plastic bottles, aluminum cans and steel cans to save space. But if you don't use that many items, don't worry about crushing or flattening because the recyclers will do it with specialized machinery.

Do not crush glass bottles. The recyclers use machines to crush the glass themselves.

Try to buy items in containers that can be accepted by our recycling program and centers.

Another way to reduce household trash is by creating less trash in the first place, a process known as source reduction. Here are a few reduction pointers.

• Buy products made from or packaged in recycled or returnable containers. Some packaging made from recycled materials is marked with a recycling symbol. If the inside of the box is gray, this means the box was made from recycled material.
• Buy items in the largest possible size because you'll use fewer containers this way.
• Avoid a disposable product when a reusable one will work just as well.