Wrong or improperly prepared items – called contamination – may seem recyclable but are unwanted in recycling markets. Contamination can place workers at risk, damage sorting equipment, lower the value of the material that can be recycled, and increase program costs.
Here’s recycling’s Dirty Dozen – items that should never be placed in your recycling cart.
(1) PLASTIC BAGS
Reuse, donate to food banks, or recycle at your local grocery store.
(2) BAGGED RECYCLABLES
Place items loose in your recycling cart or bin.
(3) LIQUIDS
Empty liquids from all recyclable containers.
(4) FOOD
No food or recyclable containers with food residue. This includes greasy pizza boxes.
(5) CLAMSHELLS
No clamshells or other plastic containers used to hold takeout food, berries, or lettuce.
(6) ROPE-LIKE ITEMS
No string lights, water hoses, wire, or similar items.
(7) SCRAP METAL
No pots and pans, silverware, bicycles, car parts, or plumbing leftovers. Donate these or take them to a convenience center or scrap yard.
(8) BATTERIES
Batteries can cause fires or explode if not property managed. Recycle rechargeable batteries at Best Buy, Lowe’s, Target, The Home Depot, and other retail outlets. Learn more at Be Battery Smart.
(9) HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS
Give products to someone who will use them. Check local program options (i.e., household hazardous waste events or programs) at RecycleHereSC or dispose of these items according to label instructions.
(10) PLASTIC PACKAGING
No block foam, bubble wrap, peanuts, or shrink wrap.
(11) PROPANE AND BUTANE CYLINDERS
Do not place these in household trash or recycling bins. Both pose dangers (e.g., fire, explosion) to workers and machinery in recycling facilities. Check RecycleHereSC to see if your program has a household hazardous waste program or an upcoming single-day event. Many retailers also accept these containers.
(12) DIRTY DOZEN PLUS
No clothing, hangers, frozen food boxes, ice cream containers, toys, VHS tapes, CDs, ceramics, glassware, CFLs and other light bulbs, paint, motor oil, shoes, syringes, sharps and needles, or textiles. See Know Your Nos below for more items that DON’T belong in the bin.
Always check to see what your local recycling program accepts. To find your program, visit RecycleHereSC.
For more information on how to properly recycle or dispose of hard-to-manage items, click here.
Know Your No’s
It is essential to know the difference between recycling right and wrong. The table below lists items that should never end up in your recycling bin, but often do.
| Items that never go in your curbside recycling bin | |
|---|---|
| Batteries (household | Pizza boxes (greasy) |
| Batteries (lead-acid) | Plastic bags |
| Bubble wrap | Polystyrene |
| Christmas lights | Rubber balls |
| Coat hangers | Scrap metal |
| Chains | Sharps (e.g., needles, syringes) |
| Clothes | Shredded paper |
| Diapers | Sports equipment |
| Electronics | Razor blades |
| Electrical cords | Take-out containers |
| Food waste | Tires |
| Food wrap | Toys |
| Garden hoses | Tubes (e.g., toothpaste) |
| Household cleaners | Stuffed animals |
| Household glass (e.g., ceramics, mirrors) | Waxed cartons |
| Light bulbs | Wood |
| Paint | Yard trimmings |