Residential quick guide to recycling
The recycling and waste disposal world seems to be full of yeses and nos. This page is a brief overview of what goes in which residential collection container, with links to additional information if needed.
- What to put in your recycling bin
- What to put in the yard waste/food scraps bin
- What goes in the garbage
- What do I do with…? everything else
- Additional resources and information
Recycling tips
- Put recyclables in the bin loose
- Scrape out food residue
- Flatten boxes; large pieces next to bin; do not tie with twine
- Lids and caps go in the garbage
- Recycle plastic by shape: bottles, tubs, jugs and cups can be recycled
- Labels are okay
- Ignore the chasing arrow symbols and numbers on plastic containers
- Empty and rinse containers
Plastic
- Shampoo, conditioner bottles
- Household cleaner bottles
- Detergent,fabric softener bottles
- Yogurt, dairy and margarine tubs
- NEW! Plastic plant pots (no soil)
- Plastic cups
Glass jars and bottles, any color
- No broken glass
Aluminum and tin cans
- Soda cans
- Metal food cans
- NEW! Clean aluminum foil and foil trays
Cardboard
- Cardboard without a waxy or plastic coating
- Limit 3 ft. x 3 ft.
Paper and newspaper
- Newspaper, inserts
- Mail, envelopes (windowed too)
- Cereal and dry food boxes (no liners)
- Frozen food boxes
- Paperback books
- Magazines, catalogs and phone books
- Non-foil wrapping paper
- Juice boxes, milk, soy milk and broth containers
- Milk, ice cream cartons
- Paper cups, coffee cups
Metal
- Limit 2 ft. x 2 ft.
- Fewer than 35 pounds
More about recycling
See Your Recycling Yard Waste Food Scraps Garbage GuideDownload PDF 1.6 MB for more info. Not sure whether it’s recyclable in your
neighborhood? Check your garbage hauler’s website.
Still not sure? Check the What Do I Do With…? website or call 206-477-4466, TTY: 711.
No plastic, glass, metal, liquid waste, cooking oil, fruit stickers, pet waste or litter. Layer food scraps with yard waste or newspaper.
Yard waste
- Grass clippings & leaves
- Houseplants (no pots)
- Tree branches (nothing over 4 ft. long or 4 in. diameter)
- Weeds
- Twigs, branches and roots from pruning
Food scraps
- Fruit, vegetable scraps and leftovers
- Bread, pasta and grains
- Eggshells and nutshells
- Coffee filters and grounds
- Teabags and tea leaves
- Meat, fish, poultry, bones
- Dairy products (yogurt, cheese, etc.)
Food-soiled paper
- Greasy pizza delivery boxes (no condiment packets or plastic trays)
- Paper towels and napkins (no cleaners or chemicals)
- Uncoated paper plates*
- Paper grocery bags containing food scraps*
- Paper egg and berry cartons
*Tip: Uncoated paper does not have a shiny surface.
*Tip: Collect your food scraps in a container with an approved compostable collection bag (find a retailer, visit www.recyclefood.com). Empty the container into your yard waste bin frequently.
More about yard waste and food scraps
See Your Recycling Yard Waste Food Scraps Garbage GuideDownload PDF 1.6 MB for more info. Still not sure? Check the What Do I Do With…? website or call 206-477-4466, TTY: 711.
Check your garbage before you take it to the curb. Are there any recyclable items in there?
Plastics
- Preformed plastic packaging
- Take-out containers
- Plastic bags/drycleaner bags*
- Styrofoam and packaging peanuts*
- Caps and lids
- Polystyrene cups and egg cartons
- Stretch wrap
- Motor oil and antifreeze containers
- Plastic bakery, meat trays, plates and utensils
- Empty prescription vials
*Tip: Plastic bags can be recycled. Check http://bagyourbags.com.
*Tip:Reuse or recycle Styrofoam and packing peanuts.
Paper
- Disposable diapers
- Ribbons or foil wrapping paper
- Hardback books*
- Wax and plastic-coated cardboard
- Dirty or soiled paper and food-soiled boxes
- Used tissues and paper towels with cleaning solutions
*Tip: Donate books to a local charity or school, or take them to King County Transfer Stations that have recycling services.
Glass
- Mirrors, window glass and broken glass
- Ceramics and dishes
- Incandescent and halogen light bulbs only (no compact fluorescent tubes, lights or bulbs (CFLs)
Aluminum and tin
- Empty aerosol spray cans
- Latex paint cans containing hardened or solidified paint (leave top off)*
- Oil containers
*Tip: Dry out paint – mix with kitty litter or paint hardener; put in the garbage.
Metal: No medical sharps
- Sharp or greasy metal
- Metal caps and lids
- Clothes hangers*
- Small appliances
*Tip: Donate clothes hangers to a local charity or return them to your dry cleaner.
Other
- Garden hoses, light strings*
- Pet waste and litter (double bagged and tied shut)
*Tip: Check for holiday light recycling locations at www.kcecoconsumer.com
More about garbage
See Your Recycling Yard Waste Food Scraps Garbage GuideDownload PDF 1.6 MB for more info. Still not sure? Check the What Do I Do With…? website or call 206-477-4466, TTY: 711.
Batteries
Many types of batteries do not go in the garbage or to county transfer stations; recycle at
local businesses.
- Alkaline batteries – Household hazardous waste collection facilities and many businesses will take them.
- “Button” batteries – Coin-shaped batteries (hearing aids, watches and other electronics) taken at household hazardous waste collection sites.
- Motor vehicle batteries – Taken at household hazardous waste collection sites and some automotive shops.
- Rechargeable batteries – Visit www.call2recycle.org or take to household hazardous waste collection sites.
- UPS (Uninterruptible power supply batteries) – Computer back up batteries. Taken at household hazardous waste collection sites.
Electronics
No disposal of these electronic products in the garbage, at transfer stations or at household
hazardous waste collection sites.
- Computers – Main-frame, desktop and laptops
- Computer monitors – Cathode ray tubes and flat panel
- TVs
- Cell phones
Find recycling locations for these items through E-Cycle Washington: Drop-off sites accept computers, laptops, tablet computers, monitors, TVs, e-readers and portable DVD players for free. Visit www.ecyclewashington.org external link or visit www.takeitbacknetwork.org or call 206-477-4466 for locations.
Large appliances
Appliances can be repaired or donated for reuse. Older appliances may contain chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs), which qualified personnel must remove before disposal. Large appliances are accepted for recycling at some transfer
stations and businesses for a fee. Check the What Do I Do With…? website for locations.
Large appliances include:
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers
- Stoves, ranges and furnaces
Mattresses
Ask a retailer to take it back or visit the “furniture” category on the
What Do I Do With…? website
to find a recycler.
Mercury-containing products
These products are prohibited from disposal in the garbage and at county
transfer stations. Please recycle these products:
- Fluorescent bulbs and tubes
Including “green tipped” or “low mercury” tubes and compact fluorescent (CFLs) bulbs and tubes – visit LightRecycle Washington external link . - Mercury switches, thermometers and thermostats
For recycling of these and other mercury-containing products, call the household hazardous line at 206-296-4692 or toll free 1-888-TOXIC ED, 1-888-869-4233 or visit http://lhwmp.org/home/HHW/hhw.aspx.
Medical sharps and other waste from home medical care
Check the What Do I Do With…? website.
More information
See Your Recycling Yard Waste Food Scraps Garbage GuideDownload PDF 1.6 MB for more info. Still not sure? Check the What Do I Do With…? website or call 206-477-4466, TTY: 711.
Find out what your garbage and recycling hauler takes
Use the drop-down menu below to find the garbage and recycling hauler for your area.
Garbage & Recycling
Search the What do i do with…? website
More resources
See Your Recycling Yard Waste Food Scraps Garbage GuideDownload PDF 1.6 MB for more info. Still not sure? Check the What Do I Do With…? website or call 206-477-4466, TTY: 711.
