What belongs in each container?
Commonly disposed of items are included in the alphabetized list below. The color-coding indicates proper sorting. Contact us for information regarding any unlisted item. Proper sorting makes a difference. Avoid contamination by sorting your recyclables properly. Click here for some of the common items that contaminate the recyclables stream.
Key
Items in gray belong in the garbage container.
Items in green belong in the organics container.
Items in blue belong in the recycling container.
Items in gray (this table) belong in the garbage container.
| 6-pack rings (please cut) | juice bottles | rubber bands |
|---|---|---|
| 6-pack rings (please cut) | juice bottles | rubber bands |
| ash, fireplace & BBQ (damp, cold and contained) | laminated items | rubber stamps |
| binders (plastic) | light bulbs (no fluorescent) | rugs/mats |
| bubble wrap | metal cable wire | soup boxes |
| candles | metallic wrapping paper | sponges |
| carbon paper | mirrors | straws/stir sticks (plastic) |
| cds | nails | stuffed animals/toys (unwanted or can't be donated) |
| cello wrap around flower bouquets | nylon | styrofoam |
| ceramics (including tile) | packing peanuts (to take to shipping stores) | tape: duct/masking/scotch |
| chewing gum | paper used for cleaning (soiled) | textiles |
| cosmetics containers with residue | paper clips | tempered glass (corning ware, pyrex) |
| cotton balls (soiled) | pencils with erasers | toothpaste tubes |
| computer diskettes | pens (ink) | transparencies/microfilm/negatives (acetate) |
| deodorant casing | pet feces | utensils (plastic) |
| diapers | plants (plastic) | vacuum bags |
| feminine products | plastics (unmarked or not marked with a 1-7) | window glass |
| foam (all types) | plastic film | wood (treated) |
| glass cups & glasses | plastic wrap | |
| hangers (dry cleaners will take back hangers) | polystryrene | |
| hose (garden or rubber | Q-tips (with plastic wand) | |
| ice cream wrappers (plastic) |
Items in blue (this table) belong in the recycling container.
| aerosol cans (empty) | drink boxes (juice) | paper towel & toilet paper tubes |
|---|---|---|
| aerosol cans (empty) | drink boxes (juice) | paper towels & toilet paper tubes |
| aluminum cans | egg cartons (paper) | phone books |
| aluminum foil | envelopes with metal clasps | plastic bags (can also be taken back to grocery stores) |
| aluminum pans | frozen food boxes | plastics labeled 1-7 |
| aseptic containers | fruit baskets (plastic, and if labeled 1-7) | pots & pans |
| bleach bottles (empty) | glass bottles & jars only | salad dressing bottles |
| boxes (shipping) | grocery bags | scrap metal |
| cans, food (bi-metal/tin) | hardbound books | shampoo bottles |
| carbonless paper | ice cream cartons (rinsed) | shoe boxes |
| cardboard (flatten/cut large or multiple boxes) | junk mail | soft drink bottles |
| catalogs | magazines | soy milk boxes |
| cereal boxes | milk cartons (paper, rinsed) | tub-type containers such as those used for yogurt, cottage cheese, and margarine if labeled 1-7 |
| computer paper | newspapers (including inserts) | water jugs |
| cookie sheets | paint cans (empty latex) | |
| detergent bottles | paper (adhesive/post-its) | |
| paper packaging with remnant tape |
Items in green (this table) belong in the organics container.
| bones | fruit | shrubs |
|---|---|---|
| bones | fruit | shrubs |
| bread | grains | tea bags |
| cactus | grass cuttings | tree twigs and branches up to 6" in diameter |
| cereal | houseplants | trees (holiday, unflocked) |
| cheese | ice cream sticks (wooden) | vegetables |
| chopsticks (wooden) | leaves | waxed cardboard |
| coffee cups (paper) | meat | waxed paper (food-soiled) |
| coffee grounds | newspaper (food-soiled) | waxed paper containers/cups |
| coffee filters (paper) | paper take-out cartons without metal handles | weeds |
| dairy products | pasta | wine corks |
| egg shells | pizza boxes (leftover pizza) | wood (uncoated, untreated) |
| facial tissue | prunings | yard waste |
| flowers | sawdust |