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