Recycle Guide

A Reminder: Your paper, metal, and plastic recycling all go in the same recycle bin.

Paper

YES!

Cardboard boxes (flattened), newspaper, magazines, catalogs, phone books, scrap paper, junk mail, cartons (milk, juice, soup), paper bags. Shredded paper is allowed if the cut is longer than 2 in. and the paper is contained in a paper bag. (Businesses: ask your garbage company).

NO!

These paper items do not belong in the recycling: Coffee cups, to-go cups, to-go food containers, paper plates, paper towels, napkins, facial tissue, wax-coated cardboard, pizza boxes, frozen food boxes, label-backing sheets. Paper coated with food, wax, foil or plastic.

Metal

YES!

Food and drink cans, paint cans, aerosol cans**, aluminum foil, scrap metal (smaller than 30 in, less than 30 lb).
Empty and dry. Labels okay.
Recycle small metal pieces by collecting in a can and crimping it closed before putting it in the recycling bin.
*Redeemable beverage cans with a 10-cent deposit can be recycled in your recycling bin, or you can collect your deposit funds by taking them to some grocery stores or any BottleDrop Center. 
** Businesses that are hazardous waste generators must dispose of aerosol cans as hazardous waste. Find information on small business hazardous waste disposal through Metro’s conditionally exempt generator program or call 503-234-3000.

NO!

These metal items do not belong in the recycling: Scrap metal larger than 30 in, or more than 30 lb. Propane tanks. Aerosol cans that still contain liquid. Aerosol and other metal cans that still contain hazardous waste should be taken to a household hazardous waste facility.

Plastic

When sorting plastic, ignore the recycle symbol and numbers. Plastic recycling in Clackamas County and the Metro region is based on the shape and size of the item.

YES!

Bottles, jugs, and round containers (6 oz and larger). Buckets (5 gal and smaller). Nursery plant pots (4 inch and wider).
Empty and dry. Labels okay.
*Redeemable beverage bottles with a 10-cent deposit can be recycled in your recycling bin, or you can collect your deposit funds by taking them to some grocery stores or any BottleDrop Center.

NO!

These plastic items do not belong in the recycling: Any plastic not shaped like a bottle, jug, bucket, or round container. Plastic bags and plastic wrap (e.g. pallet wrap, bubble wrap). Plastic caps and lids. Plastic to-go food containers and disposable plates, cups and cutlery. Plastics labeled “biodegradable” or “compostable”. Prescription medicine bottles and other plastic containers under 6 oz. Plastic or latex gloves. Bottles that contained motor oil, pesticides or herbicides.

Glass is collected in a separate glass bin. Never put glass in your recycling bin. If you are missing a glass bin, please contact your garbage and recycling company.

If you are a customer of Bliss Sanitary Service, Inc., your glass recycling collection may vary slightly. Contact Bliss Sanitary for more information at 503-663-3417.

YES!

Bottles and jars that stored food or drink.
Empty and dry. Labels okay.
*Redeemable beverage bottles with a 10-cent deposit can be recycled in your separate glass bin, or you can collect your deposit funds by taking them to some grocery stores or any BottleDrop Center.

NO!

These glass items do not belong in your glass recycling bin: Glass that did not store food or drink (e.g. dishware or drinkware of any kind, ceramics, candle jars, flower vases, window glass, picture frame glass, light bulbs, eyeglasses, etc.). Caps or corks.

Properly disposing of household batteries can keep our communities safe and prevent garbage/recycling truck and facility fires.

*Available in urban areas only. Residents of the cities of Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, and Wilsonville may include food waste. See Food & Yard Waste section of this guide.

YES!

Weeds, leaves, vines, grass, small branches, flowers, houseplants, plant clippings (up to 4 inches thick and 36 inches long).

NO!

These items do not belong in your yard waste bin: Food waste, pet waste, animal bedding (including straw and chicken manure), animal carcasses, fireplace ashes, dirt, rocks, sod, lumber, treated wood, sawdust, stumps, large branches, or garbage.  

*Only residents within the city limits of Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, and Wilsonville may include food waste in their yard waste bins. Including food waste in your yard waste bin outside those city limits may result in a fee from your garbage and recycling company.

If you want this service, please let your local government know.

YES!

Yard waste: Weeds, leaves, vines, grass, small branches, flowers, houseplants, plant clippings (no more than 4 inches thick or 36 inches long).
Food: Meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, bones, eggs and eggshells, cheese, dairy, bread, baked goods, pasta, rice, beans, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit, peals and pits. Raw or cooked food, table scraps, plate scrapings, leftovers, and soiled food.
Other: Paper coffee filters, paper tea bags, paper towels and napkins, pizza delivery boxes (remove any plastic or wax paper).
Approved Bin Liners: Paper or paper bag. Milwaukie and Wilsonville residents may use a BPI-certified compostable bag.

Remember, waste reduction is more impactful than recycling (composting). For tips and tools to prevent food waste, visit Eat Smart, Waste Less.

NO!

These items do not belong in your food & yard waste bin: Waxed paper, parchment paper or facial tissue. Coffee cups, paper plates, to-go containers or wrappers. Drink cups, straws or utensils. No liquids, grease, or cooking oil. No items labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable”. (Except BPI-certified compostable bags in Milwaukie and Wilsonville). Pet waste, animal bedding (including straw and chicken manure), animal carcasses, fireplace ashes, dirt, rocks, sod, lumber, treated wood, sawdust, stumps, large branches, or garbage.

*Restaurants, food businesses, and some multifamily communities may have a food only bin.

YES!

Food: Meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, bones, eggs and eggshells, cheese, dairy, bread, baked goods, pasta, rice, beans, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit, peels and pits. Raw or cooked food, plate scrapings, leftovers, and spoiled food are all OK.

Other: Paper coffee filters and paper tea bags. BPI-certified compostable bags may be used by restaurants and food businesses.

NO!

These items do not belong in a food waste only bin: Waxed or plastic-coated cardboard, pizza boxes, parchment paper, napkins, and paper towels. Paper plates, to-go containers or wrappers, drink cups, straws, stir sticks, or utensils. Items labeled "compostable” or "biodegradable”. Liquids, grease, or cooking oil*. Garbage, bags, plastic wrap/film, metal, glass. Yard waste.**

*Businesses can set up collection of used cooking oil and/or animal rendering from independent processors. Find companies through Metro’s Find a Recycler or call 503-234-3000.

**Businesses can set up collection of yard waste from their garbage and recycling company.

Set used motor oil next to your glass bin in a marked container with a screw-top cap. Container must be 2 gallons or less.

*Available for single-family residential customers only. Not available at apartments or businesses.

YES!

(Some items can be recyclable at drop-off locations).

Paper: Coffee cups, to-go food containers, paper plates, paper towels, napkins, facial tissue, wax-coated cardboard, pizza boxes, frozen food boxes, label-backing sheets. Paper coated with food, wax, foil or plastic.

Plastic: Any plastic not shaped like a bottle, jug, bucket, or round container. Plastic containers under 6 oz. Plastic bags, plastic padded envelopes, and plastic wrap (e.g. pallet wrap, bubble wrap). Plastic caps and lids. Plastic to-go food containers and disposable plates, cups, cutlery, and straws. Plastics labeled “biodegradable” or “compostable”. Plastic microwave meal boxes and trays. Styrofoam™. Prescription medicine bottles under 6 oz.  Plastic or latex gloves. Bottles that have come in contact with motor oil, pesticides or herbicides.

Metal: Metal items larger than 30 in or more than 30 lbs.. Aerosol cans* that still contain liquid. Aerosol and other metal cans that still contain hazardous waste should be taken to a household hazardous waste facility.

*Businesses that are hazardous waste generators must dispose of aerosol cans as hazardous waste. Find information on small business hazardous waste disposal through Metro’s conditionally exempt generator program or call 503-234-3000.

Glass: Glass that did not store food or drink (e.g. dishware or drinkware of any kind, ceramics, candle jars, flower vases, window glass, picture frame glass, eyeglasses, etc.).

Other: Food waste. Extension cords and garden hoses. Painted and stained wood. Lumber, plywood, and treated wood. Pet waste and animal bedding (including straw and chicken manure).

Cooking oil, kitchen fats and grease*: Must be in a sealed plastic container before putting in the garbage.

*Businesses can set up collection of used cooking oil and/or animal rendering from independent processors. Find companies through Metro’s Find a Recycler or call 503-234-3000.

Bag all garbage, including: Broken glass, diapers, cat litter, feminine hygiene products, cold ashes, sawdust, small animal carcasses, and packing peanuts.

NO!

These items do not belong in the garbage: Batteries, computers, monitors, TVs, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), LEDs, hazardous waste, propane tanks, and chemicals. Look up drop-off locations or call 503-234-3000.

Homeowners (Houses and smallplexes): If the item cannot be donated, call your garbage company to ask if they can pick it up (extra fees may apply). Otherwise, take to a drop-off location.

Multifamily and businesses: Talk to your landlord or property manager if you need to set out large items or extra garbage.

Textiles get wound up in the sorting machinery and can cause severe, expensive damage. If in good condition, please donate; otherwise, put in the garbage.

Compostable plastics are not plastics, and cannot be recycled into new materials. They also are not compostable in our local compost facilities. Learn why composters serving Oregon do not want compostable packaging and service ware.

These items get wound up in the sorting machinery and can cause severe, expensive damage. You can collect plastic bubble wrap envelopes (clean and dry) and return to local participating retailers for recycling.

Cardboard boxes that go in the freezer are infused with plastic to help them withstand moist, cold conditions. Because of this, they cannot be turned into new paper products.

These kinds of glass have different melting points than food-grade glass (bottles and jars). If mixed together during the recycling process, it can result in weak glass that can crack or explode.

Our recycling facilities cannot process these materials.

Plastic bags and plastic wrap get wound up in the sorting machinery and can cause severe, expensive damage. Put these items in the garbage, or collect it (clean and dry) and return plastic film and wrap to local participating retailers for recycling.

Besides being a low-grade plastic, thin lids are mistaken as paper and cardboard by sorting machines and are accidently sent to paper mills. Small caps fall through the machine and end up in the garbage.

The manufacturing process of these containers make them low-grade, low value and difficult to recycle. Due to their brittle nature, they can break apart in the sorting machinery and can accidently be sorted as paper and cardboard.

This material breaks and crumbles. It makes a mess and mixes with other recyclables. Put in the garbage.

The manufacturing process of these items make them low-grade, low value and difficult to recycle. Cardboard take-out boxes and coffee cups are often lined with plastic, which makes them unrecyclable. Utensils and straws are mistaken as paper and cardboard by sorting machines and are accidently sent to paper mills. These items are also often contaminated with food.