Recycling guide
Recycling
- Plastic bottles (caps OK if screwed on), buckets, round containers and rigid plant pots.
- Must be 2 inches by 2 inches or larger, empty and dry.
- Paper, flattened cardboard, and metal, empty and dry.
Glass
Bottles and jars only, empty and dry.
Batteries
- Tape ends of all household batteries except alkaline.
- Use clear tape.
- Put batteries in 1-quart zip-seal bag in glass bin on top of glass.
Food and Yard Waste
- Leaves, grass and plants.
- Branches under 4 inches thick and 36 inches long.
- This service is not available in rural Washington County.
- All food, paper coffee filters and tea bags.
- No food in yard waste in Banks.
Garbage
- All garbage, plastic bags, frozen food boxes, packaging with bubble wrap.
- To-go containers, straws (paper, plastic and “compostable”), cutlery, cups and lids.
Motor oil
- Place next to bins in a
leak-proof, clear plastic
jug with a screw-top lid. - Same schedule as glass collection.
Why recycle?
You make a difference by recycling right! Putting the right items in your recycling bin and keeping other things out saves
energy, water, reduces pollution and creates jobs.
Recycle right
Contamination happens when non-recyclable items get mixed in with recycling. These materials can get caught in the machinery, make a mess, or endanger workers at recycling facilities.
Never put these things in the recycling bin:
- Plastic bags
- Wires, cords and cables
- Electronic devices
- Medical waste
- Non-empty aerosol containers and other hazardous items
- Food and liquids
Carts and bins
Set carts and bins at the curb by 6 a.m. on your collection day.
- Make sure lids are closed.
- Place three feet from cars, trees, mailboxes, other carts and bins, and six feet from basketball hoops.
- Do not block sidewalks, bike paths
or driveways.
Managing extra materials
Extra Garbage:
- Put extra garbage in a plastic bag and place it next to the garbage bin for the next scheduled collection day.
- You can set out up to twice the volume as your regular garbage service (free of charge only during service interruptions).
Extra Recycling:
- Put extra recycling in a recyclable cardboard box, or reusable durable container and place next to the recycle bin. Do not use plastic bags.
- Put extra recycling out the morning of collection day, so it stays dry.
- During heavy rain, please consider holding your recyclables until the next regularly scheduled pick-up day. Dry paper products are easier to recycle!
- You can set out up to twice the volume as your regular recycling service.
Extra Yard Debris/compost:
- Put extra yard waste in a Kraft bag and place next to your bin.
- Twigs and sticks up to 4’ long and 2” in diameter can be bundled with fiber twine. Place next to your garbage bin for the next scheduled yard debris collection day.
- You can set out up to twice the volume as your regular yard debris service (free of charge only during service interruptions).
Extra Yard Debris/compost with food waste:
- Put extra yard waste in a Kraft bag and place next to your bin.
- Twigs and sticks up to 4’ long and 2” in diameter can be bundled with fiber twine. Place next to your garbage bin for the next scheduled yard debris collection day.
- Place all food waste in your compost bin and store extra yard waste in separate containers.
- Place food scraps in the freezer to help minimize odors if your bin becomes too full. Then add to your compost bin.
- You can set out up to twice the volume as your regular yard debris service (free of charge only during service interruptions).
Live in an apartment?
You have the right to adequate recycling and garbage service – and clearly labeled containers. Your property manager is also responsible for providing recycling information at the time of move-in and educating all residents annually. Learn more about multifamily recycling standards.
Does your community need support? Contact us! We provide property managers free technical assistance, educational materials, posters, signs and stickers. We also provide free recycling bags for residents to bring their recyclables to collection areas.
Why recycle?
You make a difference by recycling right! Putting the right items in your recycling bin and keeping other things out saves energy, water, reduces pollution and creates jobs.