Community Recycling Key

The following describes some of the general "do's and don'ts " of preparing your household recyclables for collection. Since each community has different recycling guidelines, you should contact your community directly if you have additional questions about collection schedules and procedures.

Cans
Refers to all metal food and beverage cans including aluminum, steel, and bi-metal cans. Cans should be rinsed well before recycling. Some cities also accept empty aerosol cans.

Glass
Refers to glass bottles and jars in brown, clear, and green colors. To recycle glass containers, rinse well and remove lids, caps, and rings. Other types of glass such as drinking glasses, window panes, mirrors, and light bulbs cannot be recycled due to the physical properties of the product.

Plastics
Communities in Cuyahoga County recycle plastic containers coded with a (1) or (2) on the bottom of the container. These include: clear PET soda bottles, water bottles, and others marked with a (1) symbol, and HDPE milk, water, juice, detergent, and bleach containers marked with a (2) symbol. Some communities accept all numbers, but most other plastic containers are not recyclable in Cuyahoga County. Plastic containers should be rinsed and the lids removed before recycling.

Newspapers
Clean, dry newspaper (inserts included) should be stacked in paper bags or bundled with string.

Mixed Paper
Mixed paper recycling is now provided by some communities in Cuyahoga County. Mixed paper is the combination of newspaper, magazines, cardboard, junk mail, box board, office paper, and phone books. If your community accepts mixed paper, these types of paper can be combined together in one recycling bag or container.

Magazines
Glossy coated magazines and catalogs are now recycled in some communities either through curbside collection or periodic collection programs.

Cardboard
Refers to corrugated cardboard only. Boxes should be flattened. Wax-coated boxes intended for refrigerator and freezer storage such as frozen food containers and milk cartons cannot be recycled.

Appliances
Includes large appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, hot water tanks, etc. Some cities require residents to have Freon removed by a certified technician from refrigerators, freezers, and other appliances prior to pickup. Contact your HVAC technician to inquire about Freon removal services.

Motor Oil
Drain into a clean container with a sealable lid. Do not mix with gasoline or other automotive products.