RECYCLING GUIDELINES

for Escambia County's Drop Off Recycling Program

On site the collection containers are green and have two doors, one for mixed papers, office papers, newspapers, and cardboard, the other side is for mixed glass, plastics, aluminum, and steel.  Please ensure to deposit your recyclables on the proper side.  Also note that at times boxes are put in container and block the entrance, but the container may still have plenty of space.

To start at home, set up two bins; one for mixed papers, office papers, newspapers, and cardboard and one for mixed glass, plastics, aluminum, and steel.  You can use empty boxes to collect in or you can use containers with handles, whatever works best for you.

ALUMINUM

Aluminum cans only

Empty, rinsed and crushed*

EXAMPLES of accepted items:

• soda cans
• beer cans
• juice cans

STEEL

Steel (tin) cans only

Empty, rinsed , and crushed*

Labels and lids OK

No hangers

No household items like pots, appliances, etc.

EXAMPLES of accepted items:

• soup, vegetable, or tuna cans

CARDBOARD

Corrugated cardboard

Clean, empty, and dry

Flatten boxes please

We ask that cardboard be broken down to save space in the recycling bin.  The bin can fill up with just a few boxes in it.

GLASS

Glass jars or bottles

Empty and rinsed*

Labels OK

No lids

No mirrors, porcelain, cookware, bake ware, ceramics, light bulbs

MIXED PAPER

Any clean, dry paper that tears

No wax paper such as milk cartons

No paper with food or grease stains such as; pizza boxes or fast food wrappers

EXAMPLES of accepted items:

• white paper
• colored paper
• magazines/catalogs
• brown paper bags
• phone books
• shredded paper
• junk mail
• folders
• wrapping paper
• single layer paperboard such as cereal,shoe, or cracker boxes; paper towel rolls; soda cartons

PLASTIC

Plastics #1-#2 narrow neck containers only

Plastics #3-#7 with top of container narrower than the bottom and screw top only

Empty, rinsed, and crushed*

Labels OK

Plastic grocery bags

Most grocery stores are now collecting and recycling plastic shopping bags also.

No caps or lids

No unnumbered plastics

No microwave trays

No hangers

EXAMPLES of accepted items:

• bottles, milk and juice jugs, laundry detergent, window cleaner, shampoo, bleach bottles, etc.

NEWSPAPERS

Newspapers and inserts

Dry

OK to put in a paper bag

No string or twine

*Rinsing and crushing:  It is not necessary to rinse or crush cans or bottles for collection.  However, we encourage rinsing for sanitary reasons (small amount of water) and crushing to save space.

Recycling Questions and Answers.  We are trying to help make it easy, so if you have any questions contact us!  The following are some questions that we have received.

• Can I recycle bottles the have the plastic film on the inside, for example "Arizona Tea"?  Yes.
• Can I recycle the black trays that microwave meals come in?  No.
• Can I recycle books?  paperback yes, hardcover books the cover needs to be removed or contact a recycling company in town, some of these company's can handle hardcover books.  For more information contact us at 937-2160.
• Can egg cartons be recycled?  It depends.  Styrofoam containers are a no, and the paper containers are a yes.
• Can I recycle wallpaper? No.
• Can I recycle bubble wrap envelopes? No.
• Can I recycle the bags that frozen food comes in?  No.
• Can artificial christmas trees be recycled?  No.