Basic Recycling is Better Recycling
Recycling doesn’t have to be complicated. In Delaware, the best way to recycle right is to stick with the basics and keep anything questionable out of your cart. When we “wish-cycle” items that don’t belong, it can contaminate the good recyclables and make the process harder. Use this page as a simple guide for what can and can’t go in your recycling cart. When in doubt, leave it out.
Prepare Your Recycling
Keep Them:
EMPTY
CLEAN & DRY
DO
NOT
BAG!
BREAK
DOWN
BOXES
RETURN
PLASTIC BAGS
TO STORES
PLASTIC
HARD PLASTIC CONTAINERS
Water bottles, milk jugs, etc.
LEAVE LIDS ON
GLASS
BOTTLES AND JARS
No window glass, dishes, or mirrors
REMOVE LIDS-RECYCLE SEPARATELY
PAPER
CARDBOARD, CARTONS, PAPER
Paper should be postcard-sized or larger
NO GREASE OR FOOD RESIDUE
METAL
ALUMINUM, STEEL, TIN CANS
Clean and empty
REMOVE LIDS AND PLACE INSIDE CAN
NOT ACCEPTED IN DELAWARE CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAMS
PLASTIC BAGS
BATTERIES
GARBAGE
FOOD WASTE
YARD WASTE
HOUSEHOLD PAPER PRODUCTS
DIAPERS
ELECTRONICS
SHREDDED PAPER
STYROFOAM
