Recycling rules and etiquette

Recycling programs publish rules because a materials recovery facility has to turn a mixed cart into salable bales. The habits below are the etiquette that makes that possible: know the local list, keep food and bags out of the cart unless you are told otherwise, and give hazardous or odd items their own drop-off.

These are general practices, not a substitute for the flyer your city or hauler issued. When the two differ, follow the local list. For material-specific notes, use Recyclable Materials. For official national guidance, see EPA’s how-to on common recyclables.

Learn your list, then stick to it

Two neighboring towns can disagree about glass, cartons, or numbered plastics. Read the current list — websites change — and teach household members the same version. A chasing-arrows symbol on a package is not a local acceptance guarantee. How2Recycle labels help, but they still defer to the program at your address.

Set-out habits that help

  1. Empty and rinse containers. Let them drip dry if you can.
  2. Flatten cardboard so the cart can close. A closed lid keeps rain and animals out and is often a requirement.
  3. Leave recyclables loose in the cart unless your hauler has a written bag-based program.
  4. Keep plastic grocery bags, wrap, and film out of mixed carts; many grocers have a separate film drop-off.
  5. Do not overload the cart past the posted limit, and do not set out chemicals, propane tanks, or construction debris as “extra recycling.”

Common contaminants to keep out

  • Food scraps and liquids left in jars, cans, or cups.
  • Tanglers: hoses, string lights, hangers, and plastic bags in a single-stream cart.
  • Electronics and batteries, especially lithium-ion packs.
  • Paint, solvents, and used oil — these need household hazardous waste or a used-oil site.
  • Medical sharps and medicines. Use a sharps container program; do not loose-pack needles.
  • Clothing, garden hoses, and scrap wood, unless your program has a specific bulky or textile collection.

We do not repeat unsourced national percentages about how much of a load is rejected. Rejection rates vary by facility and by how carefully people sort. If your hauler leaves a tag or sends a notice, use it as the local lesson.

Be decent to the people who collect the material

  • Set the cart out on time, with the opening facing the way your hauler asks.
  • Clear ice and low branches if you can do so safely.
  • Never hide broken glass or sharps in a bag of paper or plastic.
  • Thank crews when you see them — collection is early, physical work, in all weather.

When an item is not on the list

Use a drop-off, a retailer take-back, or an HHW event. Earth911, Where Can I Recycle?, and Recycling Services explain how to look those up. Electronics have their own path on the Electronic Recycling page.

Frequently asked questions

What is “wishcycling”?

Putting an item in the recycling cart because you hope it is recyclable, even though it is not on the local list. It can contaminate a load or damage equipment. If you are unsure, check the list or leave the item out of the recycling bin.

Should I bag my recyclables?

Usually no. Many facilities ask you to leave items loose in the cart because plastic bags wrap around sorting equipment. A few programs do require bags — follow the rule printed by your hauler, not a generic tip from another city.

How clean is clean enough?

Empty and quickly rinse food and beverage containers so they are not wet or coated with leftovers. You do not need them to be dishwasher-spotless. Pizza boxes soaked with grease are often not accepted with clean cardboard; tear off the clean lid if your program allows that.

What about needles, batteries, and electronics?

Never put loose needles, lithium batteries, or electronics in a recycling cart. They injure workers and can start fires. Use a sharps program, a battery drop-off, or an electronics collection instead.

Sources and further reading

Figures and definitions in this guide come from the public sources below. Local rules still vary, so confirm with your city, county, or hauler.

New to recycling? Start with How to Recycle? and the FAQ.