Q: Where do I place my small Dunkin' Donuts cup (paper) when finished? In the trash or recycle bin? — F.H. in Warwick

A: Both the current paper cups used by Dunkin' Donuts and the new double-walled paper cups they recently announced they’re switching to should go in the trash, F.H.

In general, when it comes to items made of fiber, we accept paper and cardboard (flattened), and cartons in your mixed recycling bin or cart. If you stop there, you might attempt to flatten your empty paper cup and recycle it, and I can totally see why. In fact, I spend most of my energy just trying to get folks to stick to the basic rules (and not blatantly break them!).

For example, the basic rule for fiber is paper, cardboard and cartons, and yet we get wood, textiles, and yard debris in the mixed recycling all the time. If you’ve got the basic rule down, turn your attention to keeping out the most problematic exceptions next: shredded paper and sanitary paper (e.g. napkins, tissues, paper towels). Though they’re made of paper, these are a nightmare in the Materials Recycling Facility.

Of course, the universe of paper, cardboard and carton products out there is vast, and we simply cannot sort and sell every kind to recyclers. Any paper beverage cup, for example, is waterproof. Mills use water to break down paper for recycling. They calibrate their machinery and waterproof paper clogs it up. The three most common types of waterproof paper are: 1. beverage cups (e.g. coffee); 2. boxes for the fridge/freezer (e.g. six-pack carriers); and 3. boxes for things that quickly harden when wet (e.g. kitty litter).

That’s a lot to remember, and honestly, if we could get all Rhode Islanders to abide by the basic mixed recycling rules, we could sort that stream of materials into the specifications required by recyclers with ease. Maybe one day we can even use a new technology to efficiently sort wet-strength paper and cardboard from the mix, and get it to a mill that calibrates accordingly. Unfortunately, our machinery, technology, and yes — our people — are tasked with sorting out a lot more than these specialty grades of paper at the present. Someone asked me just last week, what the craziest thing was that I’d seen in the recycling. I had a hard time deciding between grenades and a frozen boa constrictor.

Let me end this week with a shout out and a reminder. When Dunkin' Donuts announced that they would switch all cups from foam to paper by 2020, they did so without making any false recyclability claim about the paper ones. I can’t tell you how many companies promote their products as recyclable when they aren’t, and so, kudos to Dunkin'. Just don’t forget that their switch from one single-use, disposable item to another single-use, disposable item doesn’t change the fact that bringing your own reusable mug for a refill is the best choice you can make, whenever it’s feasible.

— Krystal Noiseux is the education and outreach manager at RIRRC. Send your question, including the city or town from where you're writing, to Trash Tutorial, Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902. Or email features@providencejournal.com and put "Trash Tutorial" in the subject field.