How to Recycle Right

5 Ways to Recycle Right

1. Leave recyclables loose - not bagged. Plastic bags do not belong in your recycling bin or cart. Plastic bags get tangled in the sorting machines at the recycling facilities and cause major problems in the recycling process. Plastic shopping bags can be recycled at many retail locations, including Giant Eagle, Lowe's Home Improvement, Marc's, Target, and Walmart stores. 
2. Make sure it's clean and empty. Rinse residue from cartons, containers, bottles and jars or any other recyclable that may contain food particles. Pizza boxes should have no food or excess grease. Read the blog post “How Clean Is Clean?”
3. Keep it dry. When it comes to paper, boxes, and cardboard, keeping it dry is imperative for the recycling process. Flatten all cardboard and boxes as well. 
4. Don't wishcycle. Think you can throw everything into your recycling bin and it will get sorted out at the recycling plant? Think again. Recycling only the correct items is paramount: aluminum cups, cans, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, paper and boxes along with plastic bottles and jugs.  
5. Join a social media community. Share a post. Do a story. Get engaged with the social media accounts in your community. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and LinkedIn.

You have other top questions about recycling right. We have answers. Read our blog post.

These items can be recycled in all communities.

• Aluminum Cups: Empty and rinse. No straws.
• Cans: Empty and rinse.
• Cardboard: Empty and flatten.
• Glass Bottles and Jars: Empty and rinse.
• Paper and Boxes: Empty and flatten cardboard items and cereal boxes to save space. 
• Plastic Bottles and Jugs: Empty and rinse. Replace the cap. Includes items with an opening or neck narrower than the body.

These additional items may be recycled in some communities, depending on the recycling processor.

• Cartons: Empty and rinse. Discard cap in the trash and flatten. 
• Cups (Paper and Plastic): Empty and rinse. No straws. Discard lids.
• Plastic Tubs: Empty and rinse. Attach lid.

Learn more about these items and more by clicking the item link or using the dark blue "What Do I Do With?" search bar at the top of every page. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.

• Appliances
• Clothing and Textiles
• Computers and Electronics
• Construction Materials
• Holiday Lights
• Plastic Bags
• Propane Tanks
• Scrap Metal
• Shredded Paper
• Tires

Learn more about these items and more by clicking the item link or using the dark blue "What Do I Do With?" search bar at the top of every page. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.

• Fluorescent Bulbs
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Latex Paint
• Medications
• Needles and Sharps

Learn more about these items and more by clicking the item link or using the dark blue "What Do I Do With?" search bar at the top of every page. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.

• Broken Ceramics
• Durable Plastic (toys, plastic chairs, hangers)
• Hoses and Ropes (tanglers)
• Styrofoam
• Take-Out Containers and Utensils

Learn more about these items and more by clicking the item link or using the dark blue "What Do I Do With?" search bar at the top of every page. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.

Recycle Right Info Card

This quick reference card explains the do's and don'ts of curbside recycling, including items that should be recycled curbside, recycled elsewhere, disposed of properly or landfilled. 5.5" x 8.5" postcard. PDF download or request a copy of the card.

Guidance for Multi-Family Housing

Apartment buildings are commercial properties. Generally, municipalities do not provide curbside recycling services to commercial properties including apartment buildings and other multi-family housing units. The responsibility of setting up a recycling program typically rests with property managers, property owners or the boards of condominium and homeowners? associations.

We are pleased to present our newest publication Apartments & Condominiums: A Guide to Recycling and Composting for Multi-Family Housing. PDF download.