How to Prepare Your Items

  • Aluminum and Steel Cans: Rinse cans and flatten to save space. Labels can be left on cans.

  • Cardboard: Corrugated cardboard and shipping boxes only. Cardboard boxes with a wax finish cannot be recycled. Remove all packaging inside the box. Flatten all boxes. If weather calls for high winds or rains, keep your recycling inside until the following week, if possible.

    • Wet cardboard products are more difficult to process.

  • Cartons: There are two types of packaging that food and beverage products come in that you can purchase at the store:
    • Shelf-stable cartons - include juice, milk, soup, broth, etc
    • Refrigerated cartons - include milk, juice, cream, egg substitute cartons, etc
    • Be sure to remove straws. Make sure the carton is empty and rinsed out.
  •  Corrugated Boxes: Corrugated boxes (packing boxes) must be cut flat into 3-foot by 3-foot squares and must be bundled together with string. Place bundles beside the recyclables container.
    • Recyclable materials may be commingled, with the exception of corrugated boxes. Place these items in the recycling container: 
      • Bottles
      • Cans
      • Flat cardboard
      • Jars
      • Newspapers
    • Corrugated boxes (packing boxes) must be cut flat and tied into bundles no larger than 3-foot by 3-foot and placed beside the recycling container.
    • Rinse recyclable beverage and food containers to keep insects away and to aid in the recycling process.  Recyclables contaminated with food particles are considered solid waste.
    • Do not put any recyclables in plastic bags.
  • Glass Containers: Rinse glass containers and remove lids. Paper labels do not need to be removed. Do not crush glass containers. These items are not recyclable:
    • Ceramics
    • Dishes
    • Drinking glasses
    • Light bulbs
    • Mirrors
    • Window glass
  • Newspaper: Newspapers only. Cover loose papers with heavier items to prevent them from blowing away.
  • Plastics: Plastic water, juice and soda bottles; plastic containers numbers 1,2, and 5 - this may include items such as shampoo bottles, liquid detergent containers, condiment bottles, etc. Please check the container to find the designated number. Rinse plastic containers and remove caps. (Plastic grocery or dry cleaner bags are not recyclable at the curb, check with the store for recycling locations.)