Recycling Guidelines by Material

Cans (Aluminum, Steel, and Tin)

Acceptable: Aluminum cans; steel (tin) cans. Empty and clean. Liquids and food residue must be removed. Labels are okay.

Not Acceptable: Plastic film; aluminum pans and foil; metal objects; hangers; cans containing food or liquid residue; aerosol cans.

Recycling Tip: Metal lids from glass bottles and jars can be placed inside tin cans and top of the can crimped so the lids do not fall out.

Plastic Containers (numbers 1-5)

Acceptable: Rigid plastic bottles where neck is smaller than body (caps and neck rings are okay); food tubs 5 gallons or smaller; clear plastic clamshells (e.g. fresh berry packaging); empty and clean. Liquids and food residue must be removed. Labels are okay. (#1-7 plastics acceptable for curbside pickup, #1-5 acceptable at public recyclables collection sites .)

Not Acceptable: Plastic film; Styrofoam products; motor oil or chemical containers; plastic plates, cups or eating utensils; grocery sacks; metal of any kind; bulky, rigid plastics larger than 5 gallons; flower pots; K-cups.

Recycling Tip: The best approach to recycle plastic bags is to take them to local retail collection programs. In addition to plastic grocery sacks, you can recycle vegetable bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, food storage bags, and newspaper delivery bags. Lids on plastic bottles and tubs can be recycled but need to be left on the containers after they are empty and clean. Small plastic bottles (smaller than 2 inches; e.g., prescription bottles) should be placed inside a larger plastic container for recycling.

Newspaper

Acceptable: Clean and dry newspaper and inserts; newsprint packing paper.

Not Acceptable: Plastic film; Styrofoam; product samples; newsprint with food residue; wet or soiled newsprint.

Recycling Tip: Do not place newspaper in plastic bags. Best approach is to have them loose in the recycling container.

Paper

Acceptable: Clean and dry paper; paper without food residue; paperboard, paper bags, mail, magazines, catalogs; telephone directories; paperback books; molded paper egg cartons; paper packaging (e.g., cereal, frozen dinner boxes). Flattening helps save space.

Not Acceptable: Plastic film; Styrofoam; paper plates; coffee cups; paper towels or tissues; soiled or wet paper.

Recycling Tip: Shredded paper should be placed in a brown paper bag and sealed. Do not place paper in plastic bags. Do not crush paper into balls because they can fall through sorting screens at processing facilities.

Cardboard

Acceptable: Clean and dry corrugated cardboard. Please flatten all cardboard to help save space.

Not Acceptable: Styrofoam; waxed cardboard; packing material; plastic of any kind; wet or soiled cardboard.

Recycling Tip: Pizza boxes can be recycled. A little grease is okay, but cheese and food waste is not. Staples and tape are okay.

Related: Corrugated Cardboard Disposal Ban FAQ

Glass (bottles and jars only)

Acceptable: Some curbside recyclers do not accept glass bottles and jars in their single stream recycling containers. Empty and clean. Labels are ok.

Not Acceptable: Plastic film, light bulbs, window glass; drinking glass; mirrors; dishes and cups; vases; ceramic products. Glass bottles and jars with liquids or food residue.

Recycling Tip: In order to maximize the amount of glass recycled, residents should take their glass bottles and jars to City-sponsored recyclables collection sites . The glass will be shipped to Ripple Glass in Kansas City to make new beer bottles and fiberglass insulation.

With single stream residential and commercial recycling these materials can be mixed together. At public recyclables collection sites the materials need to be separated from one another. Related: Don't Turn Your Recyclables Into Garbage: Recycle Right

Items That Can Be Reused or Recycled at Selected Locations

  • Clothing/textiles
  • Compact fluorescent lamps
  • Major appliances (washers, refrigerators)
  • Computers and televisions
  • Holiday lights
  • Used oil
  • Auto and rechargeable batteries
  • Tree trimmings and scrap wood
  • Metal objects
  • Tires

Find a Recycling Location

Items That Belong in the Trash

  • Diapers
  • Garden hoses
  • Rope/wire
  • Pet waste
  • Food waste (can compost non-dairy and non-meat food waste in backyard compost bins.)
  • Paper plates, cups & napkins
  • Single use products
  • Paper towels, napkins and tissue products
  • Dishes and cups
  • Glassware
  • Styrofoam products
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