Question: Are the cans that nuts come in recyclable?

Answer: These are usually paperboard lined with a foil-type paper with a metal rim and snap on cap. If you want to take the effort to disassemble it by removing the metal rim and liner, the remaining paperboard can be recycled. Otherwise it's trash. The plastic snap on lid can be recycled.

Question: How about the plastic "boxes" with lids that holds lettuce?

Answer: Those containers are not included in the items accepted for recycling. Nonrecyclable containers can be eliminated by choosing loose fresh fruits and vegetables. An option is to save liners from cereal (and other) boxes, mesh bags from previously purchased foods (mark through the bar code), newspaper sleeves and the little paper bags that some stores use for produce. They can be taken back to the grocery store and reused for loose fruit and produce. They can be reused many times and will eliminate the use of new plastic bags as well as nonrecyclable trash.

Question: I have several cans of canned vegetables that are way past the expiration date. Can I just throw them in the trash?

Answer: The Household Hazardous Waste Facility at the Larimer County Landfill will accept canned food products in quantities less than 5 gallons. Leave them in the cans. If put in the trash there is a chance the cans might explode or liquid be discharged into the rest of the trash.

