BLUE RECYCLE BIN - CONTAINERS
All bottles, cans, and cartons must be empty and clean of food residue
Glass Bottles & Jars
- > Food and beverage glass only
- > Remove lids and caps
- > NO tableware or ceramics
- > NO broken glass or mirrors
Metal Cans (Steel & Aluminum)
- > Aerosol cans must be fully emptied
- > Rinse out cans
- > NO aluminum foil, pans or trays
- > NO scrap metal
- > NO stainless steel water bottles or thermoses
Plastic Bottles, Jugs & Tubs
- > NO plastic bags, wrap, cups or tubes
- > NO Styrofoam materials
- > NO plastic clamshell, egg cartons, or deli containers
- > NO plastic utensils or straws
- > NO microwavable trays
Cartons (Tetra Pak & Gable-top)
- > Food and beverage cartons only
- > Remove plastic caps
- > NO pouches or straws
- > NO take-out containers
ORANGE RECYCLE BIN - PAPERS
Remove all plastic bags and plastic wrap from papers
Cardboard Boxes
- > Flatten boxes into pieces no larger than 4 ft. by 4 ft.
- > Remove any plastic film and Styrofoam packing materials
- > NO boxes with food residue, such as greasy pizza boxes
Paperboard
- > Remove plastic windows from pasta and tissue boxes
- > Paper egg cartons are okay
- > NO bakery or donut boxes
- > NO paper plates or cups
Newspapers, Magazines & Phone Books
- > Remove plastic wrap and plastic bags
- > Remove and discard magnets from phone books
- > Paperback books and manuals are okay to recycle
Office Paper, Junk Mail & Paper Bags
- > Remove food and wrappings
- > Shredded paper must be placed inside a closed paper bag and labeled "Shredded Paper" on the outside of the bag (no plastic bags)
- > Plain wrapping paper is okay to recycle
- > NO glossy type gift bags
- > NO popcorn bags or pet food bags
- > NO bubble envelopes
- > NO wrapping paper or greeting cards with foil or glitter
MATERIALS NOT ACCEPTED
- > NO Plastic Bags
- > NO Garbage or Food Waste
- > NO Styrofoam or Take-out Boxes
- > NO Batteries or Light Bulbs
- > NO Cords or Coat Hangers
- > NO Plastic Clamshells or Non-Rigid Plastics
When contaminants (items not accepted for recycling) make their way into the recycling stream, it increases the overall processing cost of recyclables. Contaminants cause damage to the expensive sorting equipment at the processing facility and devalue the marketability of the recyclables.
Any items not specifically listed as accepted for recycling in the Gainesville program should not be placed in your recycle bins. Examples of items NOT accepted for recycling include: any type plastic bags, shrink wrap, plastic mailing envelopes, foam or Styrofoam® materials, plastic air-pillows, to-go or take out boxes, plastic clamshell containers, six-pack rings, resealable storage bags, bubble wrap or bubble wrap envelopes, plastic straws, microwavable trays, plastic egg cartons, plastic utensils, coat hangers (plastic or metal), aluminum foil, aluminum pans or trays, scrap metal, pots or pans, appliances, full or partially full aerosol cans, stainless steel water bottles, thermoses, glassware, dishes, ceramics, silverware, broken glass, mirrors, light bulbs, juice pouches, paper towels, paper napkins, tissues, thermal paper cash register receipts, glossy photographs, paper straws, bakery boxes, paper plates or cups, coffee cups or lids, popcorn bags, pet food bags, glossy type gift bags, hardcover books, batteries, hazardous waste, electronics, electric cords, laundry baskets, yard edging, toys, or any food contaminated containers or papers.