I did before I remodeled. I have a feeling that it is a bad idea from a recycling point of view. Broken bottles mixed with smashed cans and plastics may be too hard for the recycling center to untangle and they might all get trashed. So maybe call the recycle place and ask, if you're interested in being good. But if you just want to get your trash out, yeah, it should work well.

Well, although we don't use ours for "recycle only" we don't put anything with food in it (or glass, for that matter) and we also usually only take it out every two weeks. That's about how long it takes us to fill it!

Also, to answer your question, yes...compactors do compact plastic gallon milk jugs. Just be sure to rinse 'em first! :)

Our town separates plastic and paper and glass, I don't think they'll accept compacted mixes of all of the above.

Since our town is single stream, it means they accept it all combined. Sounds like it will be a good idea for me, thanks for letting me know if will compact those gallon milk jugs..

I suggest you call. They may refuse it since they may not be able to separate it once collected.

You could use it for just one type, like paper/cardboard. Putting in just alum/metal cans would end up with something too heavy to lift.

Good idea, I just gave them a call, they said they would let me know tomorrow. Thanks

Just wanted to update, I heard back from my town's recycling dept and they said it is fine to compact the recyclables! I am so happy, now we won't have miles of recycling to put out every week!!