Recycling bins

What goes in a recycling bin?

Roll up your sleeves because we’re diving into what should go in your recycling bin. Think of this as a quick guide to what deserves a second life instead of heading straight for the trash.

Here are the items you can confidently place in your recycling bins:

• Plastic bottles and containers: Water bottles, detergent jugs and takeout containers – these are some of the most common plastic items that should go into your recycling bins. But be sure to clean them first.
• Paper: Paper like newspapers, magazines, letters and brochures should also be recycled. As the saying goes, if it once lived in your mailbox or printer, it can live in your recycling bin, too.
• Cardboard: Cardboard such as shipping boxes, cereal boxes and tissue boxes should be broken down and tossed into your recycling cans.
• Metal: Metal items include aluminum cans, tin cans and clean aluminum foil.
• Glass: Bottles and jars in all shapes and colors – but give them a quick wash first.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into recycling bins, this list is a safe place to start. That said, recycling availability varies by location, so always check a local resource for more information about what’s recyclable in your community.

What should not go in a recycling can? 

Not everything is lucky enough to land in your recycling cans. Some items need to take a different route, and your recycling pickup crew will thank you for it.

Here are the items that don’t belong in a recycling bin:

• Food waste: We do not recommend tossing your brown banana peels, dinner leftovers or anything that once lived in your fridge into your recycling bins.
• Food tainted items: Anything that’s been touched by food, such as used paper plates, greasy pizza boxes, paper towels and napkins is a no.
• Plastic wrap: While it does have the word “plastic” in the name it should not be part of your recycling game.
• Bubble wrap and packing materials: Even though these are technically made of plastic, they should pop their way into your trash can instead.
• Disposable utensils or straws: Any single-use lightweight utensils or straws should be tossed into your trash can, not those recycling cans.

For anything that can’t be recycled, like the items above, the right move is to toss it in a trash can instead, and you can find plenty of options here.