Our single stream recycling is only designed to process certain items. Placing non-accepted items into the recycle container contributes to contamination. Contamination in the recycling cart causes many problems, from damaging equipment to creating health and safety hazards. Contamination also reduces the amount of material collected that can be recycled. For this reason, we ask if you aren’t sure, call us.
Recycling Preparation
- All materials are sorted after collection and may be mixed together in your container.
- To prevent material becoming stuck, flatten all cardboard and paperboard boxes.
- Rinse food and liquid from recyclable items.
- Plastic bags are recycled through grocers. Please do not place them in your recycle containers.
- Soiled recyclables are not recyclable. (soiled food containers, oily pizza boxes, used paper napkins, etc)
- Electronics are not recyclable.
Below is a list of materials that are commonly referred to as recycling and whether we accept these materials. Most products that are eligible to be recycled will have a recycling symbol. We are able to take any #1 PET, #2 HDPE, or #5 PP.
Paper Products
- Newspaper
- Junk Mail
- Magazines
- Phone Books
- Mail/Envelopes
- Copy Paper
- Brown Paper Bags
- Catalogs
- Colored Paper
- White Paper
- Shredded Paper
Cardboard Products
- Cardboard Boxes
- File Folders
- Dairy Cartons
- Soda Can Boxes
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Shipping Boxes
- Dry Food
- Shoe Boxes
- Tissue Boxes
- Laundry Boxes
- Detergent Boxes
- Liquid Cartons
Plastic Products
- Dairy Jugs
- Plastic Water Bottles
- Soda Bottles
- Soap Containers
- Hygiene Containers
- Plastic Soda Caps
Metal
- Aluminum Soda Cans
- Canned Food Containers
- Aluminum Foil
- Appliances
- Batteries
- Bubble Wrap
- Ceramics
- Christmas Lights
- Cloth Items
- Coffee Cups
- Construction Debris
- Disposable Gloves
- Electronic Waste
- Food Waste
- Food Waste Containers
- Glass/Mirrors
- Grocery Bags
- Light Bulbs
- Liquids
- Medical Waste
- Motor Oil Containers
- Paint
- Pesticide Containers
- Plastic Bags
- Plastic Rings
- Plastic Toys
- Pressurized Tanks
- Polystyrene
- Porcelain
- Rubber
- Styrofoam
- Textiles
- Tires
- Wax Cardboard
- Wax Paper
- Wire hangers
- Yard Waste
For more information on where and how to recycle the items listed above visit Earth911.com.
We encourage residents to contact R’s recycling for Electronic Waste disposal.
R’s Redemption Center
320 Nevada St.
Waterloo, IA 50703
Phone: (319)230-3008
Holiday Cleanup – Recycling
In the aftermath of the festive season, distinguishing recyclable materials from everything else can be a challenge. As we embrace the spirit of giving during the Holidays, it’s equally important to be mindful of the environmental impact of each celebration. Wrapping paper, an ubiquitous element of gift-giving, poses a unique recycling challenge. To streamline the process and contribute to sustainable practices, we’ve listed here what can and cannot be recycled.
| Accepted | |
|---|---|
| Plain Wrapping Paper. Look for paper that passes the “scrunch test”. If it can be scrunched into a ball and hold its shape, it’s recyclable. |  |
| Cardboard Gift Boxes. Ensure they are flattened to maximize recycling efficiency, and prevent your container from not being emptied completely. |  |
| Paper Gift Bags. Provided they do not contain non-paper elements, like foil and glitter. |  |
| Plain Cards. Provided they do not contain non-paper elements, like foil and flitter. |  |
| Gift Tissue. |  |
| Not Accepted | |
|---|---|
| Glossy or Embellished Wrapping Paper. Metallic, glittery, or velvety wrapping paper |  |
| Laminated gift bags |  |
| Metallic, glittery, or embossed Cards. |  |
| Sticky Labels, Foam Peanuts, Bubble Wrap, Styrofoam, Ribbons, String, Bows |   |