Today the United States produces more garbage than any other country on Earth. The average American produces approximately 4.5 pounds of garbage each day. That accumulates to more than 200 million tons of garbage each year.

But do you think all of that garbage is really garbage?

To tell you the truth, most of what we throw away is not garbage at all. It is recyclable.

If we take full advantage of opportunities to recycle our household products, we can cut the amount of garbage we generate in half. That means less chores and less in the landfill.

Think about this, glass does not degrade, so if we threw one glass bottle in the landfill it would be around for centuries.

But if recycled, it would save enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours.

Eight out of 10 plastic bottles become landfill waste but if we recycled these plastic bottles (1,200 of them), we could carpet the average sized living room.

Now, what is recyclable in the City of Auburn and Cayuga County?

Please read on to find out how to obtain information on recycling throughout Cayuga County.

In the beginning of each year the City of Auburn releases an up-to-date Streamline brochure that informs residents of recyclables.

It also notifies residents on the proper disposal of appliances, yard debris and demolition material. This year Auburn's recyclables include:

• No. 1 through 7 plastic bottles, which can be identified by a number inside a triangle of arrows on the bottom of a plastic container.

• Magazines as well as phone books, all clean newspaper and inserts.

• Clean aluminum cans and steel (tin) food/juice cans.

• Clean food/beverage glass bottles that may be clear, green or brown.

• Corrugated cardboard, paper grocery bags and the following boxes: Cereal, cracker, cake mix, pasta, shoe and tissue boxes.

What is not acceptable includes: Motor oil bottles, plastic lids or caps, plastic bags, large catalogs, junk mail, light bulbs, mirrors, cookware or broken glass.

Remember the 2008 City of Auburn's Streamline brochure is available now for city residents and other users of the Auburn Landfill.

It can be acquired from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, the Auburn Landfill or City Hall.

If you live outside of the City of Auburn or you are a city resident looking for more information regarding general recycling, proper disposal of electronics, tires or household hazardous waste, call Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County at 255-1183.

Renee Jensen is community educator of environmental issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County