Why Recycle? | Guide to Preparing Materials

What Can and Can't Be Recycled

Not everything we throw away can be recycled. By knowing what can and can't be recycled, you can help avoid contamination problems and ensure that your community's recycling program is a success.

RECYCLE	DON'T RECYCLE
Glass Bottles and Jars
All clear, green and brown food and beverage containers. Examples: soda, juice, beer, wine bottles; salad dressing, pickle, mayonnaise jars, etc...	Drinking glasses, cups, plates, cookware, pottery, etc Window or mirror glass Light bulbs Broken glass bottles or jars
Metal Cans
All aluminum and tin food and beverage cans Examples: soda, beer and juice cans; pet food, tuna and vegetable cans. CLEAN aluminum foul products such as TV dinner trays, pie plates and aluminum foil wrap.	Pots and pans, kitchen utensils, etc. Automotive parts Aerosol cans Aluminum siding or window frames Propane tanks
Certain Plastic "Bottles"
Plastic food, beverage and detergent bottles with a or recycling symbol. Examples: milk, soda, water and juice bottles; dish soap, laundry detergent and bleach bottles.	Bottles that contain automotive or chemical products such as motor oul, antifreeze, brake fluid, pesticides, etc. Plastic toys or kitchen utensils; plastic bags; Styrofoam containers; microwave plates Other or recycling containers that are not "bottles", such as margarine, yogurt and ice cream tubs (these containers melt at a different point than bottles and are considered a contaminant.
Newspapers
All newspapers	Cardboard, magazines, office paper, etc.