WHAT IS RECYCLABLE
There are different materials, different ways to recycle, and different items are accepted in different areas. Recycling can be complicated, but with a little guidance you can recycle right.
The first steps are: "know what to throw," and "when in doubt, throw it out!"
Next is to make sure any recycling is empty, clean, and dry and loose (not in a bag).
Below is a list of common curbside and drop-off recyclable items.
Paper & Fiber
-
Cardboard boxes
-
Corrugated: ex: shipping boxes
-
Paperboard: ex: cereal and pasta boxes
-
Pizza boxes: Make sure to remove or tear off any parts with grease or cheese residue!
-
-
Office paper, envelopes and mailers (plastic windows, staples, and metal closures are fine)
-
Newspaper, including inserts & coupon pages
-
Magazines and catalogues
-
Wrapping paper: only plain, no metallic, glittery, or containing adhesives
NOT RECYCLABLE: Tissue paper, paper towels, facial tissue, toilet paper, egg cartons, multi-material mailers
CHECK WITH YOUR HAULER: Shredded paper, cartons (soup, milk, etc)
PLASTIC
-
#1 Plastics:
-
Water, soda, and food bottles (check with your hauler about leaving caps on)
-
Cleaner, dish detergent, soap, and shampoo bottles (remove pumps)
-
-
#2 Plastics: Bottles and jugs (ex: milk jugs and laundry detergent containers)
-
#5 Plastics: Check with your hauler about food jars, tubs, restaurant takeout containers, pill bottles
NOT RECYCLABLE: #3, 4, 6, & 7 Plastics, unnumbered plastics, multi-layered plastics
CHECK WITH YOUR HAULER: Other #1 plastic container shapes (ex: berry or deli containers), #5 plastics (food jars, tubs, restaurant takeout containers, pill bottles)
DROP-OFF LOCATIONS AVAILABLE: Plastic bags, plastic film, & styrofoam (Indianapolis-area only)
METAL
-
Aluminum, tin, or steel food & beverage cans
NOT RECYCLABLE: Batteries, electronic waste, scrap metal
CHECK WITH YOUR HAULER: Aluminum foil & foil pans, cat/dog food cans, aerosol canisters
DROP-OFF LOCATIONS AVAILABLE: Scrapyards will often take all metal, but check locally
GLASS
-
Food and beverage containers
NOT RECYCLABLE: Glassware, dishes, bakeware, windows, fiberglass, lightbulbs, string lights, light fixtures, anything heat resistant
ELECTRONIC WASTE (E-WASTE)
Indiana prohibits househoIds, organizations, and businesses from throwing electronic items in the trash. E-waste includes all kinds of electronics, cords, appliances, and more.
Common types of electronic waste:
-
Televisions and monitors
-
Computers (desktops, laptops, tablets, mice, keyboards, etc)
-
E-readers
-
Fax machines, printers, and scanners
-
Peripherals (including keyboards, mice, external hard drives, projectors, adaptors, cords and any other devices that are sold for external use with a computer)
-
DVD players and gaming systems
-
Digital media players and photo frames
-
iPods/MP3 players and speakers
-
Phones, cell phones, and their cables
-
Camcorders/cameras
-
DVR/TiVo devices (including cable boxes and satellite boxes, but not satellite dishes)
-
Small electronic appliances
-
String lights and some light bulbs
-
Fans and space heaters
-
If it has a cord, it’s probably e-waste!
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Hazardous waste contains dangerous chemicals or pollutants that could contaminate water, soil, the air, and more.
Common types of household hazardous waste:
-
Cleaning products
-
Pesticides and herbicides
-
Gasoline, brake fluid and motor oil
-
Ammonia and bleach
-
CFLs and fluorescent light tubes
-
Lead acid batteries
-
Cooking oil
-
Paint and paint thinners/strippers
-
Propane tanks less than 20 lbs.
-
Thermometers and thermostats
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS & PROGRAMS
PLASTIC BAGS & PLASTIC FILM
These should not go in your recycling bin. Items include:
-
Plastic bags: Shopping, produce, bread, cereal, and dry cleaning bags
-
Shipping materials: Some plastic mailers (plastic material only), bubble wrap, and air pillows
-
Plastic film: Some case and stretch wrap: (Stretch the plastic around your finger, if it breaks it is not recyclable.)
SCRAP METAL
Scrap yards accept most types of metals:
-
Metal furniture and shelving units (ex: file cabinets and tables)
-
Metal siding and roofing
-
Copper wiring and piping
-
Household items made of metal
-
Cookware, bakeware, and silverware
-
Water bottles and tumblers
-
Large and small appliances
-
Food storage containers
-
Tools and hardware
-
Empty aerosol containers
-
Scissors and knives
-
MAIL-IN PROGRAMS
-
Terracycle, Zero Waste Box™ programs
- TerraCycle, Free brand and packaging recycling programs
-
Preserve #5 plastics program: Currently only accepting Preserve toothbrushes
-
Carton recycling program: Accepts all kinds of cartons
-
Pill bottle reuse/recycling: #1, 2 and 5 medicine and pill bottles
DROP-OFF PROGRAMS
-
H&M textile recycling: Old clothing and fabrics
-
Lush containers: Return black Lush containers to any store for a free bar of soap
-
Indianapolis Plastics Recycling, Inc styrofoam recycling program
-
Packing peanuts: Many packing and shipping stores will accept peanuts for reuse - check locally