What Can I Recycle?

Use the following links to download/print a list of recyclable and nonrecyclable items, a detailed fact sheet on plastics, and ways to "recycle right".


  • Don't Just Recycle, Recycle Right! - a full color flyer on what's recyclable and what's not
  • Recycling Flyer With List - contains both recycling icons and a printed list of materials for recycling and trash 
    Please note that the curbside, single-stream recycling program is for certain types of basic household paper and packaging. That's it! 
    Blue bin recycling is NOT designed to process scrap metal, large items, electronics, bulky plastics like toys or coolers, and non-packaging glass like mirrors or windows.

Recyclable at the Curb, Mixed Together:

  • All recyclable materials must be loose for collection. No bagged recyclables!
  • Empty plastic bottles, tubs, jars and jugs (plastic lids may be left on empty plastic containers)
  • Empty glass jars and bottles (with metal lids removed from glass containers)
  • Aluminum and steel food and beverage containers, such as soup cans and sardine tins


  • Empty aerosol cans
  • Cartons and liquid boxes—such as milk/soy/rice milk cartons and juice boxes (not juice pouches)
  • Basic household and office papers such as:
  • Magazines, newspapers, catalogs, junk mail and envelopes
  • Books (including paperbacks, hardbacks and telephone books)
  • Corrugated cardboard (boxes do not have to be broken down or bundled)
  • Greeting cards and gift wrap without glitter and foil
  • Paperboard boxes (such as cracker and cereal boxes without liners)

Items Not Accepted for Curbside Recycling Include:

  • Plastic bags (All bags are being phased out of the single-stream recycling industry nationwide. Please return them to retail store collection bins.)
  • Shredded paper is not recyclable in our program (Not even bagged. No shredded paper!)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Any container that is not empty
  • Disposable cups, plates or cutlery (including Solo, fast food or coffee cups)
  • Hinged plastic containers, such as for produce, bakery or takeout foods
  • Rotisserie chicken containers and any microwaveable/heat-resistant plastics
  • Potato chip / snack food bags
  • Plastic or foil candy and food wrappers, such as granola bar wrappers, etc.
  • Box liner bags, such as for cereal or crackers
  • Juice pouches
  • Bubble wrap
  • No polystyrene (Styrofoam™) of any kind
  • Clothing and textiles
  • Drinking glasses
  • Plates, cups or cutlery of ANY kind (ceramic, paper or plastic)
  • Hazardous material containers (such as for pesticides, motor oil or antifreeze)
  • Low-grade paper, such as tissues and napkins/paper towels (even if “clean”)
  • Soiled paper products (such as used paper plates or greasy pizza boxes)
  • Metallic or glittery paper, bags, wrapping paper or cards
  • Mirrors, window glass, light bulbs
  • Pots, pans and other household metals (curbside recycling is meant to collect packaging metal only, such as cans.)
  • Rubber, PVC or vinyl products (such as hoses, tires, shower curtains, PVC pipes, etc.)
  • Anything that will get tangled in the sorting machinery, such as cords, chain, string, twine, hoses, etc.
If you would like to know whether or not a specific item is recyclable, check the Recycle Coach app, or, the Office of Recycling can be reached by phone at 301-600-2960, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or by email.