Acceptable Items

The following materials are currently being accepted for curbside collection.  Recyclable paper and recyclable containers can all be mixed together. This list is not comprehensive and is subject to change. For more information, call the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division Office at 273-6632, Monday - Friday, between 8:00 and 4:30 pm.

Click here for a printer friendly version of the Recycling Guidelines including, the collection schedule and what materials are accepted at the curbside.

Paper and Containers...Mix it up!

Recyclable Paper

	Newspaper
	Yes Newspaper, glossy inserts and magazines. May be put together with other paper types.	No Plastic bags, product samples, plastic wrap or string.
	Corrugated Cardboard & Boxboard Multi-layer cartons and single-layer cardboard
	Yes Clean corrugated boxes; boxboard (cereal, pasta, shoe and tissue boxes); paper egg cartons. Remove plastic liners. Flatten boxboard and put in bin with other papers. Flatten corrugated cardboard. Pieces must be no larger than 4ft. X 4ft. X 1.5ft. for curbside pickup. Stack next to or in your recycling bin.	No Wax- or plastic-coated boxes, wood, plastic or string. No leftover food. No boxes from wet foods, such as ice cream, frozen foods or take-out foods.
	Mixed Paper
	Yes Opened mail, white and colored office paper, magazines, flyers, paper bags, posters, fax paper, non-metalic wrapping paper and cards, spiral notebooks, manila folders, phone books, soft cover books. Staples, paper clips, rubber bands and plastic windows are OK.	No Blueprint paper, Tyvek® envelopes, waxed paper, photo paper, tissues, paper towels,  or non-paper itesm, such as product samples, credit cards, overhead transparencies, or computer disks.

Recyclable Containers

	Glass Bottles and Jars Clear, green & brown bottles and jars.
	Yes Food and beverage containers only. Discard lids and caps (they can be donated to the Sciencenter). Rinse clean. Labels and neck rings are OK.	No Plastic bags, plate glass, drinking glasses, crystal, Pyrex®, Visionware®, light bulbs or tubes, medicine bottles, ceramics, hazardous product bottles, wire, caps or lids.
	Metal Cans and Aluminum Foil
	Yes Rinse clean. Place metal lids inside can and pinch top together. Labels are OK. Aerosol cans must be empty: dispose of caps and use contents up according to directions. Save aerosol pesticides for the D.E.P.O.T. events.	No Plastic bags, food residue, pesticide cans, syringes, paint cans, gas or propane containers.
	Plastic Bottles and Jugs
	Yes Plastics marked #1 through #7 including bottles, tubs & carry-out containers .	No No Styrofoam®, plastic bags, PVC pipe, or compostable plastics.
	Paper Milk and Juice Cartons
	Yes Paper milk and juice cartons; drink boxes and soy milk containers. Rinse cartons, drain and flatten, if possible.	No Plastic screw-on tops, drinking straws or food residue. Please do not put cartons in with recyclable paper.