How to Sort Materials for Recycling

Paper

Clean paper only. Staples OK, Windowed envelopes OK.

YES – Recycle (not in plastic bags)

  • Newspaper, inserts, junk mail
  • Magazines, paper backs, phone books
  • White and colored paper
  • Shredded paper-put in paper bag
  • Box board (cereal boxes, for example)
  • Clean pizza boxes (no grease or food)
  • Corrugated cardboard (Flattened)

NO – Can’t recycle these

  • NO food stains or residue
  • NO beer or soda cartons, butter,
  • NO margarine boxes (waxy cartons)
  • NO used paper towels, cups, plates
  • NO glossy boxes–white strands show when torn (frozen food boxes)
  • NO take-out containers, blueprints
  • NO copy paper packaging
  • NO dirtied paper (pet waste, paint)
  • NO Tyvek or padded envelopes
  • NO stickers and sticker paper
  • NO hardcover books

Plastics

Only containers less than 2 gallons, empty and rinse. Discard caps in trash.

YES – Recycle (not in plastic bags)

  • Beverage bottles & jugs: soda, water, juice
  • Personal care bottles: shampoo, soap, etc.
  • Detergent bottles
  • Food containers: margarine, yogurt, etc.

NO – Can’t recycle these

  • NO plastic bags or dry cleaning bags
  • NO vinyl siding, PVC, or construction materials
  • NO Styrofoam (polystyrene), egg cartons, “packing peanuts
  • NO meat, cheese, deli or cookie trays, berry cartons
  • NO bubble wrap, plastic wrap, heat shrink wrap, foam packing
  • NO cups, plates, utensils, straws, or polyvinyl sheeting
  • NO photographic film, tarps, black plastic or flower pots
  • NO microwave trays or containers
  • NO bottles that contained motor oil, anti-freeze, pesticides, pool chemicals or other hazardous substances
  • NO clothes baskets, plastic bins, indoor/outdoor patio furniture
  • NO swimming pools, hoses, tubing, pails or buckets
  • NO VCR, CD cases

Aluminum

Empty & Rinse

YES – Recycle (not in plastic bags)

  • Cans
  • Foil pie pans

NO – Can’t recycle these

  • NO food residue
  • NO siding or construction materials or scrap
  • NO foil wrapped beverage pouches

Steel (tin) Cans

Empty and rinse. Labels are OK

YES – Recycle (not in plastic bags)

  • Food and beverage cans
  • Pet food cans

NO – Can’t recycle these

  • NO food residue
  • NO hangers or scrap metal
  • NO pots & pans or appliances
  • NO toys
  • NO aerosol spray cans or paint cans
  • NO car parts or fuel tanks

Glass

Empty and rinse. Discard lids in trash. Labels are OK

YES – Recycle (not in plastic bags)

  • ONLY Food & Beverage Bottles and Jars—such as juice, pop & soda, water bottles, beer & wine bottles and food jars
  • Glass may be clear or colored (amber, green, blue)

NO – Can’t recycle these

  • NO food residue
  • NO ceramics, baking dishes, drinking
  • NO glasses, cookware (Pyrex),
  • NO coffee mugs, milk glass
  • NO plate glass, windshields, windows,
  • NO art glass, eye glasses, wine corks,
  • NO mirrors, vases
  • NO light bulbs or fluorescent lights
  • NO medicine bottles