The Complete Recycling List – What You Can And Cannot Recycle

What different types of trash can I recycle? Through advances in recycling technology, there are more options than ever. That is great news as we need to conserve as much of our valuable resources as we possibly can. Here we will provide a common sense list about which materials you can and can’t put in your recycle bin and which you need to throw away.

Please note that the below list of “do’s and dont’s” MAY change or be different in your specific area or location. Please check your local website for your trash pick-up company for more information. If you are interested in more information here are more facts from the EPA on recycling basics and benefits.

Recycling Paper and Books

YOU CAN RECYCLE:

• paperboard
• tissue boxes
• heavy weight folders
• paper towel and toilet paper rolls
• food packaging (non wax)
• shredded paper (in plastic bag)
• magazines (all)
• catalogs (all)
• phone books (all)
• junk mail
• paper milk, juice and soy milk cartons (empty)
• books – soft cover, hard covers should be removed
• empty paper coffee cups (plastic lids removed)
• all office paper
• white paper
• colored paper
• newspaper (bags and strings removed)

YOU CANNOT RECYCLE:

• paper towels
• wax paper
• wrapping paper
• napkins
• tissue paper
• paper product which has the potential to be contaminated with bodily fluids

Recycling Cardboard

YOU CAN RECYCLE:

• pizza boxes (wax paper removed)
• corrugated cardboard
• brown paper bags
• box board (shoe boxes, cereal boxes)

YOU CANNOT RECYCLE:

• cardboard lined with plastic (bubble wrap boxes)
• waxed/waterproof cardboard

Recycling Glass

Wash out all of your dirty food jars first!

YOU CAN RECYCLE:

• clear glass
• green glass
• brown glass
• blue glass
• glass food containers
• wine and beer bottles

YOU CANNOT RECYCLE:

• light bulbs
• glass from mirrors
• window glass
• ceramic
• crystal

Recycling Plastics

YOU CAN RECYCLE:

• plastics numbers 1-7
• plastic cups (lids and straws taken out)
• milk container
• soap jugs
• grocery and retail plastic bags
• plastic jugs and bottles – soda bottles & laundry detergent bottles
• food and beverage containers
• jars with screw tops
• deli style containers
• clam shell take out containers

YOU CANNOT RECYCLE:

• plastic baggies
• plastic tableware
• foam containers

Recycling Metal

Please wash out all food jars first!

YOU CAN RECYCLE:

• aluminum take out containers
• aluminum pie plates and trays
• kitchen cookware – metal pots, pans, tins & utensils
• metal and tin beverage containers
• metal and tin food containers
• aluminum foil

YOU CANNOT RECYCLE:

• motor oil cans
• metal and cardboard containers
• paint cans

Recycle Logo – Reduce Recycle Reuse