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Does anyone know if it's okay to recycle something that might have a lot more than the average amount of germs on it?

I imagine everything goes through some sort of cleaning process, so it's probably fine.. but I just want to ask and I can't find any info about it online.
Thespis · M
Depends on what kind of germs really. If it's dangerous for the recyclers, like needles, then it needs to be deposed of in the correct kind of container. If it's just bacteria, recycle away! Recycled materials are melted down to a point nothing survives.
mayguy · 46-50, M
Hmmm....is it definitely a recyclable item and worth the effort to do so? Germs shouldn't make any difference. :)
Graylight · 51-55, F
If it's biohazard, any amount at all is not okay. Biohazard waste is any waste containing infectious materials or potentially infectious substances such as blood and other fluids. Of special concern are sharp wastes such as needles, blades, glass pipettes, and other wastes that can cause injury during handling.

If it's simply germs...most die within hours of sitting on a nonporous surface.
SW-User
Germs usually don't live outside of bodies very long.
vetguy1991 · 51-55, M
Most recyle get processed enough it shouldn't be a problem
DavyPNW · 56-60, M
As long as it doesn't have food residue, it should be fine
AlyAngel · F
I rinse everything before I recycle
gdon39 · 46-50, M
It’s good to get rid of the nasty thing for sure. It doesn’t matter if it is all germy. The recycling plants are full of rats and other vermin anyway. Oddly enough you are not supposed to recycle pizza boxes and plastic bags from the grocery stores. Who mows why?🤪
masterofyou · 70-79, M
Dont worry about germs just recycle to help Mother Earth.....
Graylight · 51-55, F
@masterofyou (If you really wanted to help mother earth, it wouldn't be through recycling.)
masterofyou · 70-79, M
@Graylight Ohhhh, tell me.....
Graylight · 51-55, F
@masterofyou The mantra of recycling is: reduce, re-use, recycle. We don't reduce, we rarely re-use and most recycling is a myth. When it's done at all, it often costs just as much and uses an relative amount of resources as using first-run materials.

Glass comes from sand, literally the most plentiful resource on earth. Cardboard can be recycled usually once. Plastics either have to be reduced or nothing at all will change. We literally have plastic islands in uninhabited areas of the ocean. Not piles - islands.

But unfortunately, we've placated ourselves as a society into thinking we're saving the earth because we throw a plastic bottle into a special (plastic) container. Fact is, we're coming in on the 3rd act expecting to understand the whole play.

https://www.5gyres.org/truth-about-recycling
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/897692090/how-big-oil-misled-the-public-into-believing-plastic-would-be-recycled
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/plastics-industry-insiders-reveal-the-truth-about-recycling/
Are you talking refundable bottles that get melted down or a paper product like tissue paper?
Makayla · 22-25, F
@Justafantasy It doesn't matter anymore but I was talking about plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, cans
Pretzel · 61-69, M
depends on what it is
a toothbrush- probably not
a vibrator - um...no
clothes/dishes - sure
MrAverage1965 · 61-69, M
It seems it is unless it's a bio hazard.
Pretzel · 61-69, M
depends on what kind of item
what kind of germs
TexChik · F
What are you trying to recycle?

 
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