1. Recycling at Home
  2. How to Recycle Right

How to Recycle Right

Recycle Right in Cuyahoga County

No matter where you live in Cuyahoga County, you can include aluminum cups, cans, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, paper and boxes along with plastic bottles and jugs in your home recycling. Reduce your trash when you combine only these items in your curbside recycling.

Some communities may be able to include additional items such as cartons, plastic tubs, plastic to-go cups and paper cups in curbside recycling.

Recycle better, recycle right. Check the list of recycling material do's and don'ts (with color codes) below.

[video] See our "Wishcycler" video series.




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 for 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. Greasy pizza boxes are not accepted.

  3. Keep it dry. When it comes to paper, boxes and cardboard, keeping it dry is imperative for the recycling process. Empty and 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.


Want to learn more or ask questions? Attend a free 'Recycle Right' webinar or presentation.

IN HOME RECYCLING (BLUE)

Combine only the correct items in your home or curbside recycling container. Keep items loose -- there is no need to bag them.

Items that can be recycled in home - curbside, rear yard or drop off - are indicated by a blue circle.



 

These items can be recycled in all communities.


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

Learn more about these items and more by clicking the item link or using the green "What Do I Do With?" search bar at the top of every page.


OTHER RECYCLING (YELLOW)

It's important to recycle correctly. Some items don't belong in your curbside recycling. Many items can be recycled, reused or donated elsewhere. Here are some examples.

Items that can be recycled elsewhere are indicated by a yellow circle.



Learn more about these items and more by clicking the item link or using the green "What Do I Do With?" search bar at the top of every page.


PROPER DISPOSAL (RED)

Some items require special handling for proper disposal. Here are some examples.

Items that require proper disposal are indicated by a red circle.


 

Learn more about these items and more by clicking the item link or using the green "What Do I Do With?" search bar at the top of every page.



LANDFILL (BLACK)

Not everything can be recycled. Place these items in the trash. Here are some examples.

Items that go in the trash are indicated by a black circle.


 

Learn more about these items and more by clicking the item link or using the green "What Do I Do With?" search bar at the top of every page.





resources FOR RESIDENTS

 


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. Request a copy of the card.

See more details about recycling programs in your community.


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 homeowner associations.

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

 


Global changes to recycling

Learn more about the worldwide changes to recycling and what factors determine if something can be recycled.

Want more details? See our recycling FAQs, read more about how recycling works or find specifics about recycling in your community.


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