In Mattoon, Illinois, the “do not drink order” for tap water remains in effect, and amid this situation, a recycling program is reminding residents about what can and cannot be recycled.

Residents have been relying heavily on bottled water due to the city-issued water advisory. EIASE Recycling has stepped up to inform residents about the recycling guidelines for the items they are using more frequently.

Accepted items for recycling include all clean #1 plastics, specifically clear bottles such as those used for water, soda, juice, and dish soap. Additionally, clean #2 plastics, like laundry detergent bottles, Tylenol containers, and milk jugs, are also recyclable.

It should also be noted that somewhere on the plastic container, there will be a triangle made of arrows. Inside the arrow is a number that informs people what kind of plastic the container is made of. If a person is unsure of what plastic an item is made of, they should put the item into a tied plastic bag and the student workers with EIASE will know where to put it.

Other acceptable items include aluminum cans and all plastic caps, including water bottle caps, soda caps, milk jugs, laundry detergent and butter dish lids. All corrugated cardboard is also allowed to be recycled. This kind of cardboard typically has ridges and grooves embedded into the cardboard, such as Amazon boxes, banana boxes and shoe boxes.

However, no single-ply cardboard boxes are allowed. These include, but aren’t limited to cereal boxes, Kleenex and soda boxes.

Paper is also able to be recycled. More specifically, office paper, copy paper, newspaper, phone books, magazines, shredded paper and catalogs. With that being said, all paper types need to be divided into their own respective bags, as EIASE is no longer accepting mixed bags of paper.

The recycling company said that no Styrofoam, plastic wrap, plastic bags, plastic banding or glass is ever accepted.

For any questions or to schedule a possible pick up, contact EIASE Recyling at 217-235-6200 Ext. 6208 or visit their location at 1615 Lakeland Blvd. in Mattoon.