Aerosols

Proper Disposal

Do not place aerosols or spray cans in curbside recycling. Empty aerosol cans should be placed in the regular trash. Businesses can properly dispose of aerosol cans and solvents through a licensed environmental services company.

Aluminum Foil

Other Recycling Recycling

Aluminum foil and foil pans should not be included in your home or curbside recycling. Recycle clean aluminum foil at a local scrap metal yard. Some cities allow residents to drop-off scrap metal at the city service department.

Antifreeze

Proper Disposal

Do not pour unused or unwanted antifreeze into a storm sewer or down the drains in your home. Storm drains flow directly to streams and Lake Erie. Antifreeze is a serious health hazard to humans and animals if it is ingested. Antifreeze from a residence should be disposed via the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program. Businesses must contract with a licensed environmental services company for proper disposal or recycling.

Appliances

Other Recycling Recycling

Appliances can be set out for recycling on your city's scheduled bulky waste collection day or taken to a local scrap metal yard for recycling. Small, non-working household appliances can be recycled at the Solid Waste District (clean and under 10 lbs.) or at local Best Buy stores.

Arts and Crafts Supplies

Other Recycling Recycling

Usable arts and craft supplies can be donated to a local organization, day care or summer camp that can use the items to support their work.

Asbestos

Proper Disposal

Ohio law and rules require that persons certified as Asbestos Hazard Evaluation Specialists be used to identify, detect and assess asbestos-containing materials. This list is available free of charge by contacting the Ohio Department of Health Asbestos Program at (614) 466-0061.

Asphalt

Other Recycling Recycling

Residents and businesses can recycle existing roadway materials through specialized companies.

Baby Items

Other Recycling Recycling

Baby items in good condition can be donated to local community service organizations that can distribute the items to people in need or use the items to support their work.

Barrels, Drums & Totes

Other Recycling Recycling

Recycle clean barrels, drums and totes as scrap metal or through specialized companies.

Batteries

Proper Disposal

Do not place batteries of any kind in curbside recycling. Placing batteries in curbside recycling is hazardous and dangerous. Rechargeable batteries should be taken to a local retail store dropbox for recycling or to a local battery recycler. The store dropboxes for rechargeable batteries are free and do not cost taxpayers any money. Businesses can recycle single-use and rechargeable batteries through local specialized companies.

Bicycles

Other Recycling Recycling

The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op accepts donations of bicycles and any bike-related item including magazines, books, videos, tools, clip-in pedals and shoes, and good seats.

Boats

Other Recycling Recycling

Boats in usable condition can be donated to local community service organizations who will sell them to raise funds and support their work.

Books

Other Recycling Recycling

Donate good, usable books to local libraries, schools and community centers. Recycle unwanted residential, school and business books at a River Valley paper drop off location or at a local paper recycling company. Businesses can recycle books through local specialized companies.

Bricks

Other Recycling Recycling

Recycle bricks and building materials through specialized companies or a local construction and demolition debris landfill.

Broken Ceramics

Landfill Recycling

Do not place broken ceramics or glass in your curbside recycling. Put them in the trash.

Cameras and Photography Supplies

Other Recycling Recycling

Photography equipment can be donated to local community service organizations that can use or sell the items to support their work.

Campaign Signs

Other Recycling Recycling

The Solid Waste District accepts campaign signs for recycling following all primary and general elections. Drop off at the District located at 4750 East 131 Street in Garfield Heights. Some communities also collect campaign signs from residents.

Cans

In-Home Recycling

All metal food and beverage cans such as pop, beer, soup, vegetable, and tuna cans are recyclable. Cans should be emptied, rinsed and placed in your curbside recycling. Aluminum beverage cans may also be turned in for cash at a local scrap yard. Some area fire stations collect cans to benefit the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children program. Check with your local fire station.

Car Seats

Landfill Recycling

Do not place car seats in curbside recycling. Car seats that are no longer in good, working condition should be placed in the regular trash for disposal.

Cardboard

Other Recycling Recycling

Cardboard from a residence can be recycled via curbside mixed recycling or mixed paper drop-off bin. Businesses can recycle cardboard and mixed paper through specialized companies. See our Business Recycling Directory.

Carpet & Carpet Padding

Other Recycling Recycling

Residents can dispose of carpet through their city's bulky waste collection. Contact your city service department for more details. Businesses can recycle carpet and carpet padding through specialized companies. Most companies will want large volume quantities. See a list in our Business Recycling Directory.

Cartons

In-Home Recycling

Recycle through your curbside recycling program. Cartons, the packaging for food and beverage products you purchase at the grocery store can now be recycled through your community's curbside recycling program. Includes milk, juice, soup and broth plus wine cartons. Cartons should be emptied and rinsed. Replace the cap and place in your curbside recycling.

Cassette Tapes

Proper Disposal

Cassette tapes do not go in the recycling bin. The film tape is a "tangler" that gets wound around the processing machines at recycling facilities and can easily shut down a whole recycling operation.

CDs, DVDs and Video Games

Other Recycling Recycling

Do not place discs in your curbside recycling. CDs, DVDs and video games can be donated to local community service organizations that can use them to support their work. Businesses and residents can also recycle discs via local companies.

Cell Phones

Other Recycling Recycling

Cell phones can be recycled at many retail locations and through municipal computer recycling events. They can also be donated to local community service organizations that will reuse them.

Cereal Bags

Other Recycling Recycling

Terracycle offers a Cereal Bag Brigade to recycle cereal bags. Cereal bags can be dropped off at the Solid Waste District for recycling. Please use the marked drop box in our lobby. The District is located at 4750 East 131 Street in Garfield Heights. Hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.

Christmas Trees

Other Recycling Recycling

Each year, 10 million Christmas trees end up in the landfill. While your tree won't fit in the recycling bin with your newspapers and bottles, you can still recycle your tree. Many cities offer programs to turn your tree to mulch or wood chips, or consider donating your tree to a local farm for animal feed.

Cleaning Supplies

Other Recycling Recycling

Usable cleaning supplies can be donated to local community service organizations that can use or distribute the supplies to people in need.

Clothing

Other Recycling Recycling

Do not include clothing and other fabric in your curbside recycling. Donate usable clothing, fabric and other textiles to a charitable organization.

Coffee Pods

Other Recycling Recycling

Single-use coffee and beverage pods (even if they're empty) do not belong in curbside recycling. Other recycling options exist, including mail back programs.

Computers & Electronics

Other Recycling Recycling

Residents can recycle unwanted computer equipment and peripherals at their city service department throughout the year. Electronics can also be recycled through local e-waste companies and at some retail locations. Do not place in your curbside recycling. Businesses can contract with a registered local company for registered recycling services.

Concrete

Other Recycling Recycling

Recycle concrete and building materials through specialized companies or a construction and demolition debris landfill.

Construction Debris

Other Recycling Recycling

Construction and demolition debris is defined as materials resulting from the alteration, construction, destruction, rehabilitation or repair of any physical structure. It includes railroad ties. Residents and businesses can dispose of construction material at local private facilities.

Cosmetics

Other Recycling Recycling

Cosmetics and personal care products can be recycled through organizations like Terracycle or Wands for Wildlife. The Solid Waste District participates in Terracycle's Personal Care and Beauty Brigade®, a free recycling program for empty hair care, skin care and cosmetic product packaging. Items can be dropped off in a collection bin in our lobby.

Cups (Plastic and Paper)

Landfill Recycling

Single-use beverage or party cups are not recyclable. Do not put them in your curbside recycling bin.

Drink Pouches

Other Recycling Recycling

TerraCycle offers national mail in programs called Brigades® to collect hard to recycle waste including drink pouches. Drink pouches should not be placed in your curbside recycling.

Durable Plastic

Landfill Recycling

Do not place durable plastic items such as plastic toys, buckets, hangers, furniture and flower pots in your curbside recycling. If the item cannot be donated for reuse, place it in the regular trash for disposal.

Eyeglasses

Other Recycling Recycling

Eyeglasses can be donated to local and national community service organizations that will distribute them to people in need.

Fire Extinguishers

Proper Disposal

Do not place fire extinguishers (empty or otherwise) in your curbside recycling. Empty metal fire extinguishers can be recycled at a scrap metal yard. Contents must be discharged before recycling. Empty plastic fire extinguishers go in the trash. Businesses with commercial fire extinguishers should contact a specialized company for disposal options.

Flags

Proper Disposal

The U.S. flag, our national symbol, should not be placed in the regular rubbish. When a flag is so tattered that it no longer fits to serve as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner. The American Legion, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, National Sojourners, and other organizations regularly conduct dignified flag-burning ceremonies, often on Flag Day (June 14). You can also mail your tattered flag to a flag disposal organization, such as Flag Keepers.

Flares

Proper Disposal

Some local fire departments have controlled burns or disposal programs for old or expired flares. Contact your community for more information.

Flower Pots & Flats

Other Recycling Recycling

Do not place flower pots or flats in your home or curbside recycling. Flower pots and flats can be dropped off at garden centers or nurseries for reuse or recycling. Otherwise, agriculture plastic goes in the trash for disposal.

Fluorescent Bulbs

Proper Disposal

Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should not be placed in the regular trash. CFLs can be recycled for free at Lowe's stores. Batteries+Bulbs accepts and recycles all types of bulbs and ballasts. Bulbs from businesses should be recycled using a bulb recycler or hazardous waste company. Incandescent bulbs, LED and halogen bulbs go in the regular trash.

Food

Other Recycling Recycling

Non-perishable food can be donated to local community service organizations who will provide to people in need. Residents and businesses with large quantities of food waste can also use a commercial compost facility.

Fryer Oil

Proper Disposal

Do not place fryer oil in the trash or down a drain. Fryer oil from a home can be recycled through the District's Household Hazardous Waste Program. Businesses must contract with a company for proper disposal or recycling.

Furniture

Other Recycling Recycling

Furniture in good condition can be donated to local community service organizations that can distribute the items to those in need or resell them to support their work.

Gardening Supplies

Other Recycling Recycling

Gardening supplies can be donated to local community service organizations that can use them to support their work.

Gasoline/Kerosene

Proper Disposal

Buy only what you need and use it up at the end of the season. Gasoline, kerosene and other fuels from a residence can be disposed of via your community's household hazardous waste disposal program. Businesses with fuels should dispose of it via a licensed disposal company.

Glass Bottles & Jars

In-Home Recycling

Glass food and beverage bottles and jars (clear and colored) can be recycled in your curbside recycling. Empty, rinse and replace the lid before recycling. You do not need to remove the label. Businesses with glass can recycle it via local specialized companies.

Grease

Proper Disposal

Recycle industrial grease through specialized companies.

Hearing Aids

Other Recycling Recycling

Hearing aids can be donated to a community service organization that will distribute the items to people in need.

Helium & Oxygen Tanks

Proper Disposal

Do not place empty helium or oxygen tanks in curbside recycling. Putting them in the trash is hazardous. Follow the disposal instructions that came with the tank then recycle the empty tank at a local scrap metal yard, cylinder recycler or medical supplier. You may receive a rebate.

Holiday Lights

Other Recycling Recycling

Do not place holiday lights (tanglers) in your curbside recycling. During the Christmas season, retailers including Home Depot and Lowe's Home Improvement have collection bins for holiday lights. Some city service departments also accept light strings. The Solid Waste District accepts strands of lights at 4750 East 131 Street in Garfield Heights. Drop off in our lobby during business hours M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. No bags or boxes in the lobby recycling bin, please.

Household Goods

Other Recycling Recycling

Donate usable household goods through a local charity or thrift store. Other charitable organizations that accept donations of household goods to support their work can be found in our book Pass It On: A Resource-Full Guide to Donating Usable Stuff.

Household Hazardous Waste

Proper Disposal

Dispose of hazardous, caustic and poisonous products properly through the District's Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program. Free, local collection events are held in each community of Cuyahoga County.

Industrial Filters

Other Recycling Recycling

Test. Recycle industrial filters through specialized companies.

Jewelry

Other Recycling Recycling

Unwanted jewelry can be donated to local community service organizations that will reuse the items or resell to raise money to support their work.

Latex Paint

Proper Disposal

Dry up and place in the trash. The Solid Waste District and local communities do not accept latex paint in the Household Hazardous Waste Program because it is not a hazardous material.

Litho Film & X-Ray

Other Recycling Recycling

Recycle lithography film and x-rays through specialized companies.

Mattresses

Proper Disposal

Currently, there are no local recycling options for mattresses. Sometimes mattresses can be donated if they are in good condition. The Cleveland Furniture Bank will accept good, used mattresses for reuse. Call (216) 459-2265. If the mattress cannot be reused, contact your city service department about bulky waste pick-up or take the mattress to a waste transfer station for disposal. They will likely require you to wrap the mattress in plastic.

Medical Equipment & Supplies

Other Recycling Recycling

Some usable medical equipment and supplies can be donated to Medwish and other local community service organizations that will distribute the items to people in need. They may also use or sell donated items to support their work.

Medications

Proper Disposal

Dispose of unwanted or expired pills and capsules at a police station, hospital or pharmacy that offers a Rx drug drop box program. With proper care, medications can also be disposed in the regular trash Never flush medication down a toilet or pour down a drain.

Mercury

Proper Disposal

Household mercury items lincluding switches, thermometers and thermostats can be recycled at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District or at a household hazardous waste collection event. Businesses must contract with a licensed environmental services company for proper disposal or recycling.

Motor Oil

Proper Disposal

Motor oil from a household can be recycled via the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program. Some retail oil change locations also accept used motor oil. Businesses must contract with a licensed environmental services company for proper disposal or recycling.

Musical Instruments

Other Recycling Recycling

Musical instruments can be donated to local community service organizations that can use them to support their work or resell them to raise funds.

Needles and Sharps

Proper Disposal

Sharps and needles from home injections should be placed in a rigid plastic container such as a laundry detergent container then sealed securely and placed in the trash. Needles should NEVER be placed in your curbside recycling.

Office Furniture and Equipment

Other Recycling Recycling

Usable office equipment and furniture can be donated to local organizations in need. Office furniture can be refurbished by local office furniture stores.

Oil-Base Paint

Proper Disposal

Oil-base paint is flammable. Residents should dispose of oil-base paint through their community's Household Hazardous Waste program. Businesses must dispose of paint via a licensed environmental services company.

Oils & Oil Filters

Other Recycling Recycling

Motor oil can be recycled for free at local Lube Stop locations. Some city service departments also accept clean motor oil from residents. Oil and oil filters from businesses can be recycled through local specialized companies.

Packing Peanuts

Other Recycling Recycling

Styrofoam peanuts can be donated to a store that ships packages like the UPS stores, or you can reuse it as your own packing material. Businesses can recycle large quantities via local specialized companies.

Pallets

Other Recycling Recycling

Recycle pallets through specialized companies. For a list companies in Cuyahoga County that recycle pallets, including commercial products, see our Business Recycling Directory.

Paper & Boxes

In-Home Recycling

Mixed paper, including newspapers, magazines, junk mail, boxes, greeting cards, cereal boxes, corrugated cardboard (flattened), phone books and clean pizza boxes, can be placed in curbside recycling or dropped off at a paper recycling bin. Do not place shredded paper in curbside recycling. Drop it off at a paper recycling bin instead.

Paper Shredding Services

Other Recycling Recycling

Some retail locations offer paper shredding. Also, seasonal shredding events are often hosted by local communities for their residents. Call your city hall or find details for your community​. The City of Cleveland offers free, year-round document shredding for residents at their service garage located at 5600 Carnegie Avenue. Hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Call 216.664.3717 for more information.

Pens

Other Recycling Recycling

Do not place pens in curbside recycling. TerraCycle offers national programs (Brigades®) to collect previously non-recyclable or hard to recycle waste including writing instruments.

Pet Food & Supplies

Other Recycling Recycling

Pet supplies can be donated to an animal shelter or rescue organization.

Phone Books

Other Recycling Recycling

Recycle phone books in curbside or drop-off recycling with other mixed paper products.

Photographic Chemicals

Proper Disposal

Mixed black and white photography solutions can be diluted with water and flushed down a sanitary drain in your home. Otherwise, save for your community's next household hazardous waste collection event.

Plastic Bags

Other Recycling Recycling

Plastic bags and plastic film should NOT be placed in your curbside recycling. Instead, these items can be recycled at many retail locations including Giant Eagle, Lowe's Home Improvement, Marc's, Target and Walmart stores. A collection box can usually be found near the store entrance or customer service.

Plastic Bottles & Jugs

In-Home Recycling

Only plastic bottles and jugs belong in your curbside recycling. We no longer look at the number to determine if a plastic is recyclable. You can recycle plastic items with a neck or an opening smaller than its body, such as food and beverage bottles or jugs, shampoo and soap bottles, laundry detergent and bleach bottles. Empty and rinse, replace the cap then put in your curbside recycling. Businesses can recycle plastics through specialized companies.

Propane Tanks

Proper Disposal

Propane tanks should never be placed in your curbside recycling. Blue Rhino locations have a free recycling drop-off for any 20# grill tank. Empty propane cylinders can be exchanged for free at the store where the new tank is purchased. You can also try to recycle at a local scrap metal yard. Businesses must contract with a licensed environmental services company for proper disposal or recycling.

Refrigerant

Proper Disposal

Homeowners must hire a HVAC technician or Freon removal service before recycling an appliance with refrigerant. A list can be found in the Yellow Pages. Businesses can recycle refrigerant through specialized companies.

School Supplies

Other Recycling Recycling

School supplies can be donated to a community service organization that will distribute them to teachers and students in need.

Scrap Metal

Other Recycling Recycling

Do not place scrap metal in your curbside recycling. Recycle car parts, metal cord and rope, appliances and scrap pieces at a local scrap yard. Earn a rebate for the metal. Residents and businesses should contact the District for a list.

Shredded Paper

Other Recycling Recycling

Shredded paper should not be placed in your curbside recycling. Instead, place shreds in paper bags and recycle at a Paper Retriever or River Valley paper drop off location.

Shrink Wrap

Other Recycling Recycling

Plastic shrink wrap and bubble wrap do not go in the recycling bin. Businesses can recycle industrial shrink wrap through specialized companies.

Smoke Detectors

Proper Disposal

Dispose of your ionization detector in the regular trash or you can ship it back to the manufacturer for proper disposal. Smoke detectors are not accepted by city service departments or the Solid Waste District.

Solvents

Proper Disposal

Solvents from a residence can be recycled via the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program. Businesses must contract with a licensed environmental services company for proper disposal or recycling.

Sporting Goods

Other Recycling Recycling

Sporting goods and equipment can be donated to local community service organizations that can use them to support their work, distribute them to people in need or resell them to raise funds.

Styrofoam™ Blocks

Landfill Recycling

Do not place Styrofoam blocks in your curbside recycling. Drop off recycling options for Styrofoam no longer exist. Styrofoam blocks should be disposed of in the regular trash.

Styrofoam™ Containers

Landfill Recycling

Food grade Styrofoam "clamshell" containers, cups and trays cannot be recycled in Northeast Ohio. Foam cups may be recycled through Dart Container’s mail in program.

Tanglers

Landfill Recycling

"Tanglers" such as plastic bags, film, ropes, cords, and wires should not be put in your curbside recycling because they jam the machinery used to sort your recyclables at the material recovery facility (MRF).

Tape Dispensers

Other Recycling Recycling

TerraCycle offers national programs (Brigades®) to collect previously non-recyclable or hard to recycle waste including Scotch tape dispensers.

Televisions

Other Recycling Recycling

Televisions are very difficult and expensive to recycle because of the heavy metals and glass. In Ohio, there is not a ban on placing televisions in the regular trash but recycling options do exist. Locally, Best Buys stores charge a fee based on size.

Textiles

Other Recycling Recycling

Donate usable clothing, fabric and other textiles to a charitable organization. Simple Recycling accepts textiles and cloth for recycling. Call (866) 835-5068. Do NOT include clothing and fabric in your curbside recycling.

Thermostats

Proper Disposal

Household thermometers and thermostats can be recycled via the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program. Businesses must contract with a licensed environmental services company for proper disposal or recycling.

Tires

Other Recycling Recycling

When you buy new tires, recycle your old tires through your tire retailer at the time of purchase. There are no free disposal options for tires. Businesses and organizations with tires must contact a licensed tire hauler for service.

Toiletries

Other Recycling Recycling

New, unopened, unwanted toiletries can be donated to shelters and community service organizations that will distribute them to people in need.

Toner Cartridges

Other Recycling Recycling

Residents and businesses can recycle ink and toner cartridges through local retailers such as Office Max, Staples, or other specialized companies.

Tools & (usable) Building Materials

Other Recycling Recycling

The Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts donations of tools (hand, power, and yard) appliances (10 years old or newer), windows/doors, cabinets, fixtures, sinks, furniture, lumber (6 ft. or longer) and more.

Toys and Games

Other Recycling Recycling

Toys and games can be donated to local community service organizations that can use them to support their work. Broken or unusable toys should be placed in the trash.

Transparency Film

Other Recycling Recycling

Residents and businesses can recycle transparency film through specialized companies.

Trash

Other Recycling Recycling

There are no operating landfills in Cuyahoga County but solid waste can be taken to a transfer station for disposal. There are several transfer station located in Cuyahoga County. Contact the District for guidance on solid waste disposal (216) 443-3749.

Tyvek Envelopes

Other Recycling Recycling

Residents and businesses can recycle Tyvek mailing envelopes through specialized companies.

VCR Tapes

Proper Disposal

Do not place cassette or VHS tapes in your curbside recycling. The film tape is a "tangler" that jams the sorting machines at the material recovery facility (MRF). Recycle the hard outer shell at a specialized company or place in the regular trash for disposal.

Vehicles

Other Recycling Recycling

Vehicles can be donated to local community service organizations who will sell them to raise funds to support their work.

Wood & Lumber

Other Recycling Recycling

Residents and businesses can recycle wood and lumber through specialized companies or a construction and demolition debris landfill. Also, consider donating good, usable lumber to organizations that accept donations.

Yard Waste

Other Recycling Recycling

Yard waste can be composted on your own property or delivered to an Ohio EPA registered compost facility. Many cities also offer seasonal yard waste collections for residents. Businesses can contact a commercial compost facility for more details.