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Business Services Information

For signage and brochures for the business sector, please visit Recology San Mateo County.

Blue Cart (Recycling) Do’s & Don’ts

Do’s Don’ts

Glass

  • Glass bottles & jars (lids okay)

Metal

  • Aluminum cans
  • Aluminum foil & trays (must be clean and balled up)
  • Steel (tin) cans
  • Spray cans (must be empty or dry)

Plastic (#1-7)

  • Plastic Bottles, caps, lids, containers and cups
  • Tubs
  • Clamshells (Clear)

Paper (must be dry and not food soiled)

  • Cardboard (non-waxed)
  • Computer & office paper (all colors)
  • Egg cartons (cardboard)
  • Envelopes
  • Magazines and junk mail
  • Milk & Juice cartons
  • Newspapers
  • Packing & craft paper
  • Paper Bags
  • Phone books and paperback books
  • Sticky note paper
  • Shredded paper (place in paper bag labeled “Shredded Paper” first)
  • Wrapping paper (non-metallic)

Please, NO:

  • Automotive parts & products
  • Batteries & cell phones
  • Black plastic
  • Diapers
  • Dishware
  • Flower & nursery pots
  • Food
  • Garbage
  • Garden hoses
  • Household hazardous waste
  • Juice, soup or soy milk boxes with foil liners
  • Light bulbs (incandescents, fluorescents, or HIDs)
  • Metallic or glittered paper
  • Mirrors
  • Plastic bags
  • Plastic corks
  • Plastic & wire hangers
  • Plastic film, shrink wrap & bubble wrap
  • Soiled paper (paper cups, plates, napkins, towels, take-out boxes & greasy pizza boxes)
  • Styrofoam packaging & food containers
  • Packing peanuts
  • Styrofoam egg cartons

Green Cart (Compost) Do’s & Don’ts

Do’s Don’ts

Food scraps

  • Bread, grains & pasta
  • Bones
  • Coffee grounds
  • Dairy
  • Eggshells
  • Fish & Shellfish
  • Fruit, including pits
  • Meat, including bones
  • Poultry
  • Vegetables


Food or Beverage-Soiled Paper Products

  • Coffee filters
  • Ice cream containers
  • Paper cups and plates
  • Paper napkins and towels
  • Paper take-out boxes & containers
  • Paper tea bags
  • Pizza boxes
  • Waxed cardboard & paper
  • Wine corks (natural only)


Yard Trimmings

  • Branches & brush
  • Flowers & floral trimmings
  • Grass & yard clippings
  • Leaves
  • Tree trimmings
  • Untreated, clean wood

Please, NO:

  • Animal waste
  • Ash
  • Cat litter
  • Concrete & Asphalt
  • Cooking oil
  • Diapers
  • Dirt, rocks & bricks
  • Glass
  • Liquids
  • Palm fronds
  • Plastic bags
  • Plastic corks
  • Plywood
  • Recyclables (glass, aluminum, paper & plastics #1-7)
  • Styrofoam packaging, food containers and peanuts
  • Treated & painted wood

Black Cart (Garbage) Do’s & Don’ts

Do’s Don’ts

Acceptable

  • Black Plastic
  • Incandescent light bulbs
  • Juice or soy milk-type boxes with foil liners
  • Pens & pencils
  • Pet Waste
  • Plastic bags, film & wrappers
  • Rubber bands
  • Snack bags & wrappers
  • Styrofoam

Please, NO:

  • Batteries
  • Household hazardous waste
  • Electronic Waste
  • Batteries and Cell Phones
  • Liquids
  • Medicines
  • Motor oil & oil filters
  • Sharp objects