Quick guide to residential recycling in King County, WA - Garbage & recycling services - King County Solid Waste Division

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

residential quick guide to to recycling -- recycle section

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.

residential quick guide to to recycling -- yard waste and food scraps section

No plastic, glass, metal, liquid waste, cooking oil, fruit stickers, pet waste or litter. Layer food scraps with yard waste, newspaper or shredded paper (no plastic).

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)
Shredded paper (small amounts)
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.

residential quick guide to to recycling -- garbage section

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.

residential quick guide to to recycling -- "What do I do with…?" section

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.

residential quick guide to to recycling -- resources section