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Why Can't I Put These in My Recycling Cart?
Paper
Cartons
The moisture in cartons contaminates the rest of the paper. Cartons are also made of layers of different materials, including plastic, paper and sometimes metal. This makes them difficult to recycle into new products.
The moisture in cartons contaminates the rest of the paper. Cartons are also made of layers of different materials, including plastic, paper and sometimes metal. This makes them difficult to recycle into new products.
Shredded Paper
Modern shredders cut paper into such small pieces that there isn't enough fiber left to recover. Loose shreds become confetti at sorting facilities and end up swept into the garbage.
Shred events are a great alternative to shredding at home.
Modern shredders cut paper into such small pieces that there isn't enough fiber left to recover. Loose shreds become confetti at sorting facilities and end up swept into the garbage.
Shred events are a great alternative to shredding at home.
Paper Plates and Cups
Dirty paper is not recyclable. Even clean, these items are made of a lower-quality fiber and have plastic liners. Paper can only be recycled so many times before its quality degrades.
Dirty paper is not recyclable. Even clean, these items are made of a lower-quality fiber and have plastic liners. Paper can only be recycled so many times before its quality degrades.
Paper Towels and Napkins
Dirty paper is not recyclable. Even clean, these items are made of the lowest quality fiber, and have reached the end of their recyclability.
Dirty paper is not recyclable. Even clean, these items are made of the lowest quality fiber, and have reached the end of their recyclability.
Greasy Pizza Box
Greasy cardboard is not recyclable. If the box is clean, you can recycle the cardboard. Do not put pizza boxes in your yard waste container.
Greasy cardboard is not recyclable. If the box is clean, you can recycle the cardboard. Do not put pizza boxes in your yard waste container.
Plastic
Plastic Packaging
Chip bags and juice pouches and other types of "flexible packaging" are made of layers of plastic film and foil. These materials are difficult to process and recycle.
Chip bags and juice pouches and other types of "flexible packaging" are made of layers of plastic film and foil. These materials are difficult to process and recycle.
Crinkly Plastics
Lightweight plastics like cups, clamshell packaging for produce and packaging around toys and electronics are easily crushed during collection and processing. Items that are flattened are sorted incorrectly as paper.
Lightweight plastics like cups, clamshell packaging for produce and packaging around toys and electronics are easily crushed during collection and processing. Items that are flattened are sorted incorrectly as paper.
Foam Trays and Containers
Polystyrene foam is so lightweight that storing and shipping it is not cost-effective. Food containers are also dirty, and they are difficult to clean. There are options for the hard blocks that are used in packaging. Find locations for recycling foam block and peanuts in our recycling menu.
Polystyrene foam is so lightweight that storing and shipping it is not cost-effective. Food containers are also dirty, and they are difficult to clean. There are options for the hard blocks that are used in packaging. Find locations for recycling foam block and peanuts in our recycling menu.
Utensils and Straws
These disposable items are not recyclable. Our recycling program accepts plastic containers by shape: bottles, jugs, tubs, jars, buckets and plant pots.
These disposable items are not recyclable. Our recycling program accepts plastic containers by shape: bottles, jugs, tubs, jars, buckets and plant pots.
Coffee Pods
Each little cup contains four types of material. They can't be recycled as is and it isn't easy or practical to separate the materials out.
Each little cup contains four types of material. They can't be recycled as is and it isn't easy or practical to separate the materials out.
Prescription Bottles
The end-users who buy plastics for recycling do not want prescription pill bottles included because of the residue that may be present. Empty bottles that held over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements are accepted in our recycling program (throw lids in the trash).
The end-users who buy plastics for recycling do not want prescription pill bottles included because of the residue that may be present. Empty bottles that held over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements are accepted in our recycling program (throw lids in the trash).
Lids
Lids are either too small or too flat to be sorted properly.
Lids are either too small or too flat to be sorted properly.
Bags and Wrap
Plastic bags and plastic wrap get tangled in machinery at sorting facilities. Recycle this material at participating grocery stores.
Plastic bags and plastic wrap get tangled in machinery at sorting facilities. Recycle this material at participating grocery stores.
Metal
Aluminum foil, pans and plates
Aluminum cans are recycled back into aluminum cans. Foil, plates and pans are usually dirty and are not compatible with the aluminum beverage can recycling process.
Aluminum cans are recycled back into aluminum cans. Foil, plates and pans are usually dirty and are not compatible with the aluminum beverage can recycling process.
Metal Scrap and Wire
Scrap metal and wire pose a safety hazard for employees at recycling centers.
Find scrap metal recycling options in our recycling menu.
Scrap metal and wire pose a safety hazard for employees at recycling centers.
Find scrap metal recycling options in our recycling menu.
Glass
Bottles and Jars
Glass breaks in the cart and contaminates the other recyclables. The glass collected at our drop-off sites goes directly to a local glass recycler.
Find drop-off locations for glass.
Glass breaks in the cart and contaminates the other recyclables. The glass collected at our drop-off sites goes directly to a local glass recycler.
Find drop-off locations for glass.
Glassware, Dishes, Windows, Mirrors and all other glass
This material cannot be recycled with bottles and jars at our drop-off locations. Throw broken dishes, glasses, windows, mirrors and all other glass in the garbage. Items in good condition can be donated.
Find donation locations for glassware and dishes in good condition in our recycling menu.
This material cannot be recycled with bottles and jars at our drop-off locations. Throw broken dishes, glasses, windows, mirrors and all other glass in the garbage. Items in good condition can be donated.
Find donation locations for glassware and dishes in good condition in our recycling menu.