What belongs in each container?
Commonly disposed of items are included in the searchable list below. The color-coding indicates proper sorting. Contact us for information regarding any unlisted item. Proper sorting makes a difference. Avoid contamination by sorting your recyclables properly. Click here for a list of common items that contaminate the recyclables stream.
See what happens to your recyclables after they are collected.
Have you seen ACI Personnel in yellow vests looking in collection containers?
Click here to find out more about the collection container reviews.
An “OOPS tag” is a gentle reminder to properly sort your waste. Proper sorting is the law.
– Please remember that only compostable/organic materials belongs in the green organic collection containers. No metal, glass, or plastic.
– Make sure everything in your blue recycling collection container is recyclable. No personal hygiene items, Styrofoam®, or hazardous waste.
Use the charts on this page to see what belongs in each container. Thank you for your efforts!
Items in gray (this table) belong in garbage container
| 1 column | 2 column | 3 column |
|---|---|---|
| 6-pack rings (please cut) | laminated items | Q-tips (with plastic wand) |
| ash, fireplace & BBQ (damp, cold and contained) | light bulbs (no fluorescent) | records/tapes & CDs |
| binders (plastic) | metal cable wire | report covers (plastic) |
| bubble wrap | metallic wrapping paper | rubber bands |
| candles | mirrors | rubber stamps |
| carbon paper | nails | rubber/neoprene |
| cds | nylon | rugs/mats |
| cello wrap around flower bouquets | packing peanuts (to take to shipping stores) | sponges |
| ceramics (including tile) | paper clips | straws/stir sticks (plastic) |
| chewing gum | paper used for cleaning (soiled) | stuffed animals/toys (unwanted or can't be donated) |
| cosmetics containers with residue | pencils with erasers | Styrofoam |
| cotton balls (soiled) | pens (ink) | tape: duct/masking/scotch |
| computer diskettes | pet feces | tempered glass (corning ware, pyrex) |
| deodorant casing | plants (plastic) | textiles |
| diapers | plastic bags (can also be taken back to grocery stores) | toothpaste tubes |
| feminine products | plastics (unmarked or not marked with a 1-7) | transparencies/microfilm/negatives (acetate) |
| foam (all types) | plastic film | utensils (plastic) |
| glass cups & glasses | plastic wrap | vacuum bags |
| hangers (dry cleaners will take back hangers) | polystryrene | window glass |
| hose (garden or rubber | Q-tips (with paper wooden wand) | wood (treated) |
| ice cream wrappers (plastic) |
Items in blue (this table) belong in recycle container
| aerosol cans (empty) | drink boxes (juice) | paper towel & toilet paper tubes |
| aluminum cans | egg cartons (paper) | phone books |
| aluminum foil | envelopes with metal clasps | plastics labeled 1-7 |
| aluminum pans | frozen food boxes | pots & pans |
| aseptic containers | fruit baskets (plastic, and if labeled 1-7) | salad dressing bottles |
| bleach bottles (empty) | glass bottles & jars only | scrap metal |
| boxes (shipping) | grocery bags (paper) | shampoo bottles |
| cans, food (bi-metal/tin) | hardbound books | shoe boxes |
| carbonless paper | ice cream cartons (rinsed) | soft drink bottles |
| cardboard (flatten/cut large or multiple boxes) | junk mail | soup boxes |
| catalogs | magazines | soy milk boxes |
| cereal boxes | milk cartons (paper, rinsed) | tub-type containers such as those used for yogurt, cottage cheese, and margarine if labeled 1-7 |
| computer paper | newspapers (including inserts) | water jugs |
| cookie sheets | paint cans (empty latex) | |
| detergent bottles | paper (adhesive/post-its) | |
| juice bottles | paper packaging with remnant tape |
Items in green (this table) belong in organics container
| bones | fruit, peels, pits, & rinds | shrubs |
| bread | grains | tea bags/tea bag with staples |
| cactus | grass cuttings | tree twigs and branches up to 6" in diameter |
| cereal | houseplants | trees (holiday, unflocked) |
| cheese | ice cream sticks (wooden) | vegetables, peels, pits, & rinds |
| chopsticks (wooden) | leaves | waxed cardboard |
| coffee cups (paper only - not plastic lined) | meat | waxed paper (food-soiled) |
| coffee grounds | newspaper (food-soiled) | waxed paper containers/cups |
| coffee filters (paper) | paper take-out cartons without metal handles | weeds |
| dairy products | pasta | wine corks |
| eggs & egg shellls | pizza boxes (leftover pizza) | wood (uncoated, untreated) |
| facial tissue | prunings | yard waste |
| flowers | rice & other grains | |
| food-soiled paper (paper plates, towels, napkins) | sawdust |
Items in red (this table) are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. For proper disposal instructions visit www.StopWaste.org/hhw
| row1 | row2 | row3 |
|---|---|---|
| batteries - ACI will collect household batteries that are placed in a zipper-style bag on top of (not inside) your blue Recyclables collection cart. Please tape the terminals on all batteries. No automotive batteries are allowed in the ACI curbside collection program. | fertilizers | photo chemicals |
| camp stove fuel tanks | fluorescent lightblubs | poisons |
| CFL lightbulbs | lancets | pool chemicals |
| cleaning products (toxic) | lye | pressurized tanks |
| computer hard drives/peripherals | medications | printers |
| computer monitors | needles | smoke detectors |
| electronics | paint | television (tv) |
| e-waste | paint remover | thermometers |
| fax machines | pesticides | varnish |