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