What belongs in each container?
Commonly disposed of items are included in the searchable list below. The color-coding indicates proper sorting. Contact us for information regarding any unlisted item. Proper sorting makes a difference. Avoid contamination by sorting your recyclables properly. Click here for a list of common items that contaminate the recyclables stream.
Items in gray (this table) belong in garbage container
| 6-pack rings (please cut) | laminated items | Q-tips (with plastic wand) |
| ash, fireplace & BBQ (damp, cold and contained) | light bulbs (no fluorescent) | records/tapes & CDs |
| binders (plastic) | metal cable wire | report covers (plastic) |
| bubble wrap | metallic wrapping paper | rubber bands |
| candles | mirrors | rubber stamps |
| carbon paper | nails | rubber/neoprene |
| cds | nylon | rugs/mats |
| cello wrap around flower bouquets | packing peanuts (to take to shipping stores) | sponges |
| ceramics (including tile) | paper clips | straws/stir sticks (plastic) |
| cosmetics containers with residue | paper used for cleaning (soiled) | stuffed animals/toys (unwanted or can't be donated) |
| cotton balls (soiled) | pencils with erasers | styrofoam |
| computer diskettes | pens (ink) | tape: duct/masking/scotch |
| deodorant casing | pet feces | tempered glass (corning ware, pyrex) |
| diapers | plants (plastic) | textiles |
| feminine products | plastic bags (can also be taken back to grocery stores) | toothpaste tubes |
| foam (all types) | plastics (unmarked or not marked with a 1-7) | transparencies/microfilm/negatives (acctate) |
| glass cups & glasses | plastic film | utensils (plastic) |
| hangers (dry cleaners will take back hangers) | plastic wrap | vacuum bags |
| hose (garden or rubber | polystryrene | window glass |
| ice cream wrappers (plastic) | Q-tips (with paper wooden wand) | wood (treated) |
Items in blue (this table) belong in recycle container
| aerosol cans (empty) | drink boxes (juice) | paper towel & toilet paper tubes |
| aluminum cans | egg cartons (paper) | phone books |
| aluminum foil | envelopes with metal clasps | plastics labeled 1-7 |
| aluminum pans | frozen food boxes | pots & pans |
| aseptic containers | fruit baskets (plastic, and if labeled 1-7) | salad dressing bottles |
| bleach bottles (empty) | glass bottles & jars only | scrap metal |
| boxes (shipping) | grocery bags (paper) | shampoo bottles |
| cans, food (bi-metal/tin) | hardbound books | shoe boxes |
| carbonless paper | ice cream cartons (rinsed) | soft drink bottles |
| cardboard (flatten/cut large or multiple boxes) | junk mail | soup boxes |
| catalogs | magazines | soy milk boxes |
| cereal boxes | milk cartons (paper, rinsed) | tub-type containers such as those used for yogurt, cottage cheese, and margarine if labeled 1-7 |
| computer paper | newspapers (including inserts) | water jugs |
| cookie sheets | paint cans (empty latex) | |
| detergent bottles | paper (adhesive/post-its) | |
| juice bottles | paper packaging with remnant tape |
Items in green (this table) belong in organics container
| bones | fruit | shrubs |
| bread | grains | tea bags/tea bag with staples |
| cactus | grass cuttings | tree twigs and branches up to 6" in diameter |
| cereal | houseplants | trees (holiday, unflocked) |
| cheese | ice cream sticks (wooden) | vegetables |
| chewing gum | leaves | waxed cardboard |
| chopsticks (wooden) | meat | waxed paper (food-soiled) |
| coffee cups (paper) | newspaper (food-soiled) | waxed paper containers/cups |
| coffee grounds | paper take-out cartons without metal handles | weeds |
| coffee filters (paper) | pasta | wine corks |
| dairy products | pizza boxes (leftover pizza) | wood (uncoated, untreated) |
| egg shells | prunings | yard waste |
| facial tissue | sawdust | |
| flowers |