Gotta go Green Postcard 2025 v5_Page_1

Recycle Right!

We know recycling can be confusing. Help us keep our recycling costs down by only recycling the items we accept.

DID YOU KNOW:

  1. Plastics are the most “mis-recycled” items. Just because something is made of plastic doesn’t mean we can accept it for recycling.
  2. There are TENS OF THOUSANDS of different kinds of plastic, with different additives and melting points. We can only recycle a small portion of them.
    • Why? Each type of plastic must be sorted, bundled, and shipped to buyers separately. 
    • Why? Because recycling is a business. There has to be a company out there willing to purchase the materials we collect to make them into something else. If no one is willing to purchase a specific type of plastic, we can’t recycle it.
  3. The “chasing triangle” symbol does NOT mean an item is recyclable. It only helps label what kind of plastic it is. 
  4. SHAPE MATTERS!! We categorize what can be recycled by SHAPE, not by the little number in the triangle.
    • Why? Because the little triangle just tells us what the “main ingredient” is. It doesn’t account for additives that can change the melting temperature or the method for recycling, sometimes making an item unwanted by a recycling company.
    • We can accept any Plastic, Glass, or Metal (Aluminum/Steel) items in the SHAPE of a BOTTLE, JUG, JAR, or CAN. That’s it. If it’s not in the shape of a bottle, jug, jar, or can, please don’t put it in our recycling drop-off site containers. 
  5. We pay over $800,000 each year to collect and process the recyclables from our recycling drop-off sites. We do NOT make money on recycling.
    • Any items put in the recycling containers that are not recyclable must be pulled out and hauled away to a landfill for disposal, adding to that cost. 
    • We pay a flat fee each time a recycling drop-off container is emptied, whether it is full of recyclable materials or not.

Help us save money and make our sites more usable. Recycle RIGHT!

What Should I Recycle?

How to prepare your recycling

  • Put your recycling in the recycling drop-off containers loose.
  • Do not bag your recycling. If you collect recycling in plastic or paper bags in your home, please dump recycling out of the bag into the recycling containers.
    • Paper bags can go in the recycling containers.
    • Plastic bags should go in the garbage or brought to a plastic bag drop-off location (i.e. Giant Eagle, Heinen’s, etc.)
  • Flatten all boxes.
  • Never put plastic bags or plastic films in the drop-off recycling containers.

Paper

Recyclable paper

  • yesMail, office and school papers
  • yesMagazines and catalogs
  • yesNewspapers and inserts
  • yesPhone books
  • yesBooks (paperbacks only)
  • yesClean paper bags (flatten)
  • yesPaper egg cartons
  • yesJunk mail

Recyclable boxes                  (must be flattened)

  • yesCardboard
  • yesCereal, cracker, shoe, electronics, and gift boxes
  • yesToothpaste, medication, and other toiletry boxes
 

Not recyclable

  • noShredded paper
  • noRefrigerated food and beverage cartons and boxes
  • noNapkins and paper towels
  • noPaper cups
  • noPaper plates
  • noPaper takeout boxes
  • noIce cream tubs
  • noHardback books
  • noTissue paper
  • noCarbon paper

Plastic

Recyclable bottles, jugs, and jars (caps on)

  • yesWater, pop, and juice bottles
  • yesMilk and juice jugs
  • yesPeanut butter jars (thoroughly rinsed)
  • yesKetchup and salad dressing bottles
  • yesDishwashing liquid bottles and detergent jugs
  • yesShampoo, soap, and lotion bottles (dispose of “pump” tops)
 

Not recyclable

  • noYogurt, pudding, and fruit cups
  • noDisposable cups (i.e. Solo or from fast food restaurants)
  • noMargarine, cottage cheese, and other tubs
  • noStrawberry/berry containers 
  • noProduce and deli containers
  • noTakeout containers
  • noPlastic bags or film, bubble wrap
  • noCat litter buckets
  • noPlastic foam (commonly referred to as Styrofoam)
  • noDisposable cups (i.e. Solo or from fast food restaurants)
  • noPlastic hangers
  • noAny plastic NOT in the shape of a BOTTLE, JUG, or JAR

Glass

Recyclable bottles, jugs, and jars (caps off)

  • yesBeer, pop, and wine bottles
  • yesSpaghetti sauce jars
  • yesCooking oil bottles
  • yesJam and preserves jars
 

Not recyclable

  • noDrinking glasses
  • noWindow glass
  • noCeramics
  • noPyrex and other oven-safe glass 
  • noMirrors
  • noCandles

Metal

Recyclable bottles, jugs, and jars (caps off)

  • yesPop and other beverage cans
  • yesFruit and vegetable cans
  • yesTuna/seafood cans
  • yesPet food cans
 

Not recyclable

  • noAluminum foil pans and sheets
  • noPots and pans
  • noScrap metal
  • noMetal hangers
  • noAppliances/electronics

Commonly "Wishcycled" Items
Do NOT Recycle These

Plastic tubs
2CupGroup
Plastic and paper cups
Produce containers (AKA Clamshells)
Plastic bags
Takeout containers
Food and drink cartons
Foam containers (AKA Styrofoam)
Window and mirror glass
Aluminum foil tray and pans
Baking glassware

Recycle Right!

If you have any questions about whether we accept an item at our recycling drop-off sites, please contact us.

Funding for this educational program provided by The Ohio EPA.