Tips to Make Recycling Easier
- Materials do not need to be sorted.
- Labels do not have to be removed, but lids do.
- Containers should not be drippy, sticky or gooey.
- Flatten boxboard and cardboard boxes.
- Squash large plastic bottles/milk jugs.
- Placing glass bottles and jars in a plastic bag inside the big bag helps prevent breakage.
- Use clear bags (any colour that you can see through) for recyclables so it is not confused with garbage.
Recyclable Goes in the Recycling Bin |
Not Recyclable Goes in the Garbage |
Plastics
♳ (PETE)* Polyethylene Terephthalate |
♴ (HDPE) High-Density Polyethylene |
♵ (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride |
♶ (LDPE) Low-Density Polyethylene |
♷ (PP) Polypropylene |
♸ (PS) Polystyrene |
♹ (O) Other |
Film Plastics° Small plastic lids |
The number of the plastic is usually on the bottom of the bottle inside the recycling symbol. The letters below the symbol help when the number is hard to read.
* All beverage bottles are #1 (PETE) and may not have a symbol. Empty bottles and remove lids before recycling.
° = Examples of film plastics include plastic bags, plastic wrap, plastic bottle holders, box liners (from cereal/cracker boxes, etc), & flexible plastic packaging.
= All black plastic of any kind cannot be recycled.
* All beverage bottles are #1 (PETE) and may not have a symbol. Empty bottles and remove lids before recycling.
° = Examples of film plastics include plastic bags, plastic wrap, plastic bottle holders, box liners (from cereal/cracker boxes, etc), & flexible plastic packaging.
= All black plastic of any kind cannot be recycled.
Metal & Glass
Aluminum Cans |
Tin Cans |
Glass Bottles/Jars* |
Mirrors, Light Covers, Window Glass |
Aluminum Foil Aluminum Foil Pans |
Dishes |
* = Remove Lids before Recycling. It is very helpful to place all glass bottles/jars in a plastic bag inside the recycling bag with the rest of the recyclables. It keeps it contained if the glass inside breaks and makes it easier to find.
Cardboard
Corrugated* |
Boxboard* |
Gable-Top Tetra-Packs |
Waxed, Oil-/Food-Stained, or Dirty Corrugated |
Take-Out/Fast-Food Containers, Fountain-Drinks |
Foodstuff Bags |
* = Please remove all styrofoam and other packaging materials from all boxes before recycling.
Paper
Office Paper (incl. shredded*) |
Newspapers Flyers |
Magazines Catalogues Shiny Paper |
Books Phonebooks |
File Folders Duo-Tang Folders Stiff Paper |
Laminated Paper (Any Type) |
Tissues (Kleenex) Paper Towel |
Construction Paper Art Projects |
Photographs Photo Paper |
* = Shredded paper must be in a separate bag.
Miscellaneous
Printer Ink Cartridges |
Household Batteries* |
Household Electronics |
Computers, Peripherals |
Microwaves |
All Other Household Appliances |
Fluorescent Bulbs° |
All Other Household Light Bulbs |
VHS Tapes, CDs/DVDs (Incl. Cases) |
Mixed Material Packaging |
Candy Wrappers Chip Bags |
Disposable Dishes & Utensils |
* = Batteries must be in a separate bag or container, so they can be separated when processing.
° = Fluorescent bulbs must be treated with care. Click here to find out how to properly handle and dispose of these bulbs.
° = Fluorescent bulbs must be treated with care. Click here to find out how to properly handle and dispose of these bulbs.