Household recycling guide

How to dispose of just about anything, responsibly.

RECYCLING BIN

RECYCLING BIN

These recyclables are taken to a recycling facility where they are processed back into raw materials for reuse.

glass jars

glass beverage bottles


wine, beer, soda


milk cartons, juice cartons, broth cartons, juice boxes

junk mail

 

 fliers, postcards, letters, envelopes, colored fliers, office paper

newspaper

phone books, paperback books

gift wrap, tissue paper, gift bags (with strings removed) 

 

NO metallic paper

paper cups, lids, and cardboard sleeves

magazines

shredded paper must be placed in a transparent plastic bag (so they can identify it) and tied close

 

Love your paper shredder too much

Shredding paper is cool for security, but it makes paper less valuable for recycling. 

 

Only shred the necessary stuff. 

 

paper cups, lids, and straws

corrugated cardboard boxes, shoe boxes, gift boxes

cereal boxes and their liners, frozen food boxes

toilet paper and paper towel rolls

Rinse, scrape or wipe food residue off of recyclables

Dry paper before placing it in your bin


plastic
takeout containers

 

NO styrofoam

plastic kitchen

containers

 

bottles, tubs, jugs, and their lids

 

plastic laundry & cleaning supply bottles

plastic bathroom containers

 

bottles, tubs, jugs, and their lids

 

clean & dry
plastic bags, grocery bags, trash bags, produce bags, dry-cleaning film, and newspaper wrap

Stuff all your plastic bags into one before tossing them in the blue bin. 

Loose plastic bags can drift into the air during transport, and they also jam the recycling machines.  

 

Bundling is better. 

 

plastic tubs

 

yogurt, margarine etc.

milk and juice jugs

plastic cups, clear and colored

bubble wrap

all kitchen cans

 

beer, soda, coffee, soup, vegetables, pet food, etc. 

foil trays

YARD BIN

YARD BIN

Yard clippings and garden trimmings.   NO palm fronds, yucca plants, bamboo, stones, dirt, or food.

grass clippings

garden trimmings

 

plants, flowers, leaves, brush

branches, untreated wood under 3" in diameter and 3' in length. 

chopsticks

NO CURBSIDE DISPOSAL

NO CURBSIDE DISPOSAL

TOXIC   Electronics, batteries, florescent light bulbs, hazardous chemicals, and paints may not be disposed of curbside.

DROP-OFF

household batteries

 

map of locations

DROP-OFF

old electronics/e-waste

Best Buy
Goodwill
S.A.F.E. Centers

map

DROP-OFF

Household paint & stains

Dunn Edwards
Frazee Paints
S.A.F.E. Centers

 

map

DROP-OFF

fluorescent lightbulbs


Home Depot
S.A.F.E. Centers 

 

map

Use caution when disposing of broken fluorescent

light bulbs...

Here's how to do it safely:

 

epa.gov

DROP OFF

used motor oil

 

Jiffy Lube

S.A.F.E Centers

 

map

DROP OFF

hazardous chemicals

 

products with corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients 

 

S.A.F.E. Centers 

map

TRASH BIN

TRASH BIN

TRASH   This is the stuff that goes into landfills and remains there for generations. Reduce or re-use these items whenever possible.

paper towels

all napkins, tissues, toilet paper

hardback books

Give used

books, CDs and DVDs new life...

Donate them!

 

Goodwill

American Book Drive

 

map

pet food bags

animal waste

VHS tapes

polystyrene & styrofoam


takeout containers, cups, plates, coolers

potato chip bags, candy bar wrappers, coffee bags, etc. with plastic on the outside and foil on the inside.

foil drink pouches

Recycle your packing peanuts here: 

 

UPS Store

Staples

 

map

 

palm fronds/branches

all biodegradeable and compostable plastics, including utensils

all disposable diapers 

 

biodegradable diapers, diapers made from recycled materials, classic disposable diapers. 

baggies

Got a bulky item that needs to go? 

Call Athens at 

1.888.336.6100

to schedule a pick up! 

 

Make sure to place your bulky item on the curb on your regular trash day after scheduling pickup.

all foodscraps, left-overs

oily or food crusted paper and cardboard

Recycle corks here: 

 

BevMo!  

Whole Foods

 

map

incandescent light bulbs

 

(fluorescent light bulbs cannot be disposed of curbside, please see orange section below). 

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