Recyclable Items

Many materials can be recycled through curbside recycling programs or recycling centers. Below are common recyclable items showing some examples with instructions and tips on how to prepare the various items for recycling.

Aluminum Cans

Aluminum Cans Examples
  • Soda
  • Water
  • Coffee and Tea Drinks
  • Sports Drinks
  • Energy Drinks
  • Fruit Drinks
  • Beer and Malt Beverages
  • Wine Coolers and Distilled Spirit Coolers
Instructions
  • Be sure to rinse cans.
  • California Refund Value(CRV) vending machines will not accept pre-crushed cans.
Special Note

In California, many beverages packaged in aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal require a deposit (the refund value). This deposit is:

  • 5¢ for containers under 24 ounces
  • 10¢ for containers 24 ounces or larger

The containers will have CRV, CA Redemption Value or CA Refund written on the label. Your deposit can be collected at any certified redemption center.  Visit ILACSD's online database center or call ILACSD’s Recycling Hotline 1-800-237-BLUE to find the nearest recycling center to you.
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Steel Cans

Steel Cans Examples
  • Pure steel cans
  • Cans with a thin tin coating
  • Soup cans
  • Pet food cans
  • Beverages
  • Aerosol
  • Paint cans
Instructions
  • Be sure to rinse cans before recycling.
  • Empty spray cans completely.
Special Note
If a magnet sticks to the can, it's definitely steel.
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Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated Cardboard Examples

Boxes and other items made of waffle-type corrugated cardboard
Instructions

Flatten boxes and remove plastic tape
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White Office Paper

White Office Paper Examples
  • Copy paper
  • Typing paper
  • Computer paper
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Mixed Paper

Mixed Paper Examples
  • Colored paper
  • Glossy newspaper inserts
  • magazines
  • brochures
  • junk mail
  • manila envelopes
  • chipboard
  • paperboard
  • phone books
  • envelopes (With or without plastic windows)
Instructions

Flatten cereal and food boxes.
Special Note
Plastic or wax-coated paper or tissue items are not recyclable.
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Glass

Glass Examples
  • Glass jars
  • Juice Bottles
  • Wine Bottles
Instructions
  • Remove lids
  • rinse
  • sort glass bottles and jars by color
Special Note
Other glass items such as Pyrex, window glass, ceramics, and light bulbs are not currently recyclable.
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Newspaper

Newspaper Examples
  • News print
Instructions
Don't tie with string.
Special Note
Recyclers prefer dry, stacked newspaper.
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Plastic

Plastic Examples
  • CRV bottles
  • Narrow-Necked bottles
  • Screw-Top beverage bottles
  • Milk Jugs
  • Water Jugs
  • Plastic bags
Instructions
  • Rinse containers
  • remove caps
  • flatten
Special Note

Most plastic containers are coded on the bottom or on the product label according to the type of plastic used. If a container is not a CRV one, most recycling programs will only accept containers with a #1 or #2 imprinted on it. The best markets are for PETE #1 plastic bottles and HDPE #2 plastic milk and water jugs.

Plastic bags can often be recycled at grocery stores; look for collection bins near the front of the store. 

Other items such as plastic wide-mouth tubs (e.g. for yogurt or margarine), plastic trays, toys, or poison and pesticide bottles are not commonly recyclable.
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Appliances/Electronics

Appliances & Electronics Examples
  • refrigerators
  • computers
  • TVs
  • cell phone
  • stereos
Instructions
  • For information about recycling these and other appliances and electronics
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Motor Oil

Motor Oil Instructions
  • Free disposal is now available at over 250 recycling centers throughout the county. Find one near you by:
  • Curbside collection of motor oil is now available in many unincorporated county areas, as well as some cities. Ask your recycling/trash hauling company if they offer this convenient service.
Special Note

Motor oil is a serious pollutant to California’s soils and groundwater.

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Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous Items Examples
  • Asphalt / Concrete
  • Furniture
  • Household Items
  • Mattresses
  • Radiators
  • Scrap Metal
  • Tires
  • Toilets / Bath Fixtures
  • Videotapes
  • Water Heaters
  • Yard / Wood Waste
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