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