What Belongs in the Recyclables?

Please remember: plastic bags may not be used to bundle other recyclables or organics*

PLASTICS LABELED #1-#7
  • Remember to keep it clean! Please rinse or wipe any food residue out of containers.
  • Bag-A-Bag Plastic Bag Recycling

You can reduce the amount of plastic bags you accumulate by remembering to Bring Your Own Bag when you shop. For all other clean plastic film wrap or bags, simply bundle them in a bag and place in your blue recycling cart or bin. (Plastic bags may not be used to bundle other recyclables or organics. Commercial customers only: use no bag to bundle your other recyclables or organics.)

  • Styrofoam of any shape is not accepted.
  • Please note: biodegradable plastics which are derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugar cane are often marked with a #7 (Other). These plastics, including bio-bags, are not recyclable in Castro Valley. Place these items in your green organics cart/bin or gray garbage cart/bin.
METALS
  • Aluminum: clean foil and containers
  • Steel
  • Tin: including empty aerosol cans
  • Pots, Pans, and Scrap Metal: smaller than two (2) feet in any direction
ALL CLEAN PAPER AND CARDBOARD

Recycle all your paper, all the time. All clean paper, including but not limited to:

  • Mixed Paper: office paper, notebook paper, envelopes, non-metallic wrapping paper, telephone books, paper bags
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines, catelogs, junk mail (Stop unwanted mail! Click here for more info.)
  • All Clean Cardboard, including but not limited to: corrugated cardboard, paperboard, paper egg cartons, paper towel and toilet paper rolls, shoeboxes, etc.
  • Please note: Paper that has been food-soiled, such as pizza boxes, coffee cups, fast-food paper wrappers and containers, paper towels & napkins, paper plates & cups etc. are accepted in the green organics cart. Shredded paper bundled in a paper bag/box is accepted in the green organics cart.
GLASS
  • All glass bottles, jars, and containers of all colors accepted.
  • Please note: Windows, mirrors, dishware/crockery are not accepted.

No unlabeled plastic
No film plastic
No Styrofoam
No pressurized tanks

NO PAINT, BATTERIES, FLUORESCENT BULBS, POISON, OR OTHER HAZARDOUS WASTE HAZARDOUS WASTE is not accepted in any Alameda County Industries collection carts or bins. For information on disposal locations, please call the Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste team at 1-800-606-6606.

*COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS ONLY: use no bag to bundle your other recyclables or use a clear bag, untied or tied loosely.