Recycling 101

Recycling is not only a simple, free way to make an impact on our environment, but it lessens the amount of waste each household creates meaning less trips to the curb! With the addition of the big green bins from OKC, it’s important to know what you can recycle and what you can’t!

Basic Do's and Dont's:

  • DO place your cart at the curbside no later than 6 a.m.

  • DO place all materials loose in your bin or cart. (Shredded paper can go in paper sacks).

  • DO rinse cans, jars and bottles with water before placing in cart (a quick rinse should do for most items. Items such as peanut butter or other sticky substances may need a more thorough cleaning).

  • DO leave labels on.

  • DO break down and flatten cardboard boxes (for green cart recycling beginning in July).

  • DO NOT use your recycle bins (or carts) for regular trash, yard waste or construction trash.

  • DO NOT put recyclable goods in plastic bags and put plastic bags in bin or cart. Plastic bags can clog machines and slow down the separation process.

  • DO NOT recycle cardboard or other items that are wet or greasy (i.e. greasy pizza boxes, food to-go containers, etc).

PAPER

  • Magazines, newspaper, direct mail, coupons

  • Office paper, stationery, spiral notebooks, notepads

  • Shredded paper (can put inside paper sacks)

  • Phone books, paperback books

Do not recycle: Paper towels, toilet paper, disposable diapers, paper napkins, paper coffee cups, or any paper that is wet or has been contaminated with food, household toxins, human waste, oil or grease.


PLASTICS

  • Milk, juice, pops and water bottles (emptied and drained)

  • Picnic cups and plates (rinse off food)

  • Yogurt, dairy and margarine tubs (rinse out)

  • Shampoo and conditioner bottles

  • Detergent, fabric softener bottles

  • Prescription vials - emptied

  • Clean garden pots or flats

  • Packaging materials such as clam shells, or semi-rigid plastics

  • Spray bottles with regular household cleaners (not hazardous waste)

Do not recycle: Plastic grocery bags, bread or newspaper bags, kitchen wrap or shipping/packaging wrap, chip, cereal, pet food or other flexible bags, bubble wrap, plastic drinking straws, Styrofoam, household storage containers, hoses or lawn furniture, bottles that contain household poisons or automotive fluids, CDs, CD or cassette cases or hard plastics.

 

GLASS

  • Glass water, wine, beer and spirit bottles

  • Food and mason jars

Do not recycle: Window glass, mirrors, automotive glass or heat-resistant kitchen glass, ceramic dish wear, terra cotta or light bulbs.

 

Aluminum

  • Aluminum cans: soda, beer and other beverage cans

  • Aluminum foil and bakeware

  • Soup, fruit and vegetable, coffee and pet food cans.

Do not recycle: Automotive parts, scrap metal, garage door panels, propane tanks, clothes hangers, pots and pans

 

Cardboard

  • Cereal, cracker and other food boxes (throw away liners)

  • Shipping and delivery boxes (break down and flatten).

  • Pizza boxes - no food or greasy residue. Recycle top only if there is no grease on bottom.

Do not recycle: Cardboard that is wet, contains melted-on food debris or automotive grease.

 

Paperboard

  • Dairy milk, nut milk and juice cartons

  • Coated and non-coated frozen food boxes

SustainabilityBritta Newton-TarronTarron PropertiesComment