Boxes, bubble wrap and more: What’s recyclable?
Boxes, bubble wrap and more: What’s recyclable?
Find out which types of packaging can be recycled, which go in the landfill cart, and how to avoid overflowing bins.
Plastic-padded mailers: Garbage
Any padded envelope that’s lined with plastic bubble wrap should go in the garbage, never in recycling. Even if it’s paper on the outside, or labeled “recyclable” or “biodegradable,” it’s still trash.
Packing peanuts & plastic air packs: Garbage
No matter what they’re made of or how they’re labeled, all packing peanuts and air packs should go in the trash, never in recycling or compost.
Styrofoam: Garbage
All Styrofoam™ should go in the landfill cart.
Paper or cardboard envelopes: Recycling
If it’s made entirely of paper or cardboard it should go in your recycling bin. Tape, labels, or a plastic address window are OK. (But if it’s lined or coated with plastic, it goes in the trash.)
More boxes than you can fit in your bin?
To save space, break down and flatten boxes before putting them in your recycling bin.
Still too many to fit? Tape flattened boxes together in one bundle, and lean them next to your blue recycling bin.
Bundles should be no larger than 3 feet in any direction, so the recycling truck driver can safely and easily lift them.
Save packaging for reuse
Padded envelopes, packing peanuts and air packs can be reused to protect fragile items, like holiday decorations, framed photos or art. Plastic padded envelopes can even be used as make-shift waterproof laptop protectors.
Cardboard boxes can be flattened and tucked away for the next time you need to mail or store something. Or offer them to neighbors for a move: Consider listing them on Nextdoor, Buy Nothing Group, or Craigslist.
Questions on what to recycle?
See the most commonly confused items at RecycleorNot.org or @recycleornot on Instagram. You can also send a photo of an item to @recycleornot on Instagram or call 503-234-3000.
Related
Recycling – what goes in the bin
Garbage – what goes in the bin
Compost – what goes in the bin
Printable residential recycling guides
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