Recycling Preparation Instructions

How To Recycle

No matter which recycling container you use, a roll cart, red bin, or drop box (metal dumpster), the preparation instructions for your recyclable materials are the same. Properly prepared materials are collected from homes/multifamily properties and sent to local material recovery facilities to be sorted and sold to recycling markets where manufacturers use them to create new products.

ROLL CART RECYCLING  (Urban single-family homes) - Use of recycling roll cart to collect mixed recycling, red bin used to collect glass.

RED BIN RECYCLING (Rural single-family homes) - Use of two red recycling bins to collect mixed materials, glass collected on the side in a separate rigid, plastic container.

APARTMENT RECYCLING (Multi-Family Properties) - Property uses a combination of recycling containers (dumpsters) and roll carts to collect residents' recyclables. Glass is collected separately from the mixed recyclable materials. Motor oil is not collected in the multifamily apartment recycling program.

MIXED RECYCLING - Combine these materials together

Plastics 

  • Rinse containers clean of debris or residue.
  • Include bottles and tubs 6 oz and larger, nursery pots 4" diameter or larger, and buckets up to 5-gallons.
  • No plastic bags, films, lids, spray pump tops, or bottles that contained chemical products.


Paper

  • Contain scrap and shredded paper in a paper bag.commingled recycling, recyclable, materials,paper,cardboard,paper,plastic,bottles,bucket,jar,jug,
  • Include paperboard, magazines, newspaper, junk mail, milk cartons, drink boxes, soy milk, etc.
  • Rinse all paper containers that held liquid prior to setting out for recycling.
  • No tissues, napkins, waxed paper or frozen food boxes, food-soiled paper, or hard cover books.


Cardboard

  • Flatten boxes—size limited to < 3'x3'.
  • No wax-coated cardboard.


Scrap Metal, Cans and Aerosol Containers

  • Empty and rinse cans. Labels OK.
  • Rinse clean metal caps, lids, aluminum foil, and foil baking trays.
  • Empty aerosol cans completely and remove plastic caps (keep nozzle intact).
  • Collect scrap metal pieces (lids, clips, etc.) in one can and crimp closed to prevent pieces from falling out during sorting at recovery center.
  • 30 lbs. limit. Pieces smaller than 30".
  • Metal paint cans will be accepted with <1" dry paint and without the lid.
  • Remove plastic, rubber, or foreign material.
  • No household appliances.

 

Recycle These on the Side

Glass - KEEP SEPARATE from other materials

  • Use a bucket or rigid container to collect glass separately from other recyclables.
  • Roll cart recycling users are encouraged, but not required to, reuse the red recycling bins to collect glass. If you need one, contact your collection provider.
  • Rinse containers and discard lids.
  • No broken glass, cookware, window glass, mirrors, light bulbs, or drinking glasses.

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Motor Oil - (May not be collected at apartments-check with the property manager)

  • Place motor oil in a see-through plastic 1-gallon container with a screw-top lid.
  • Motor oil only — no other liquids accepted.

 

Related Links

Residential Recycling Services Brochure format-pdf

Multi-Family Recycling Services Card format-pdf

2012 Collection Calendar and Preparation Instructions format-pdf  - Generic collection calendar to help you track which weeks your hauler collects materials.