What You Can Recycle

Plastic Bottles, Metal Cans and Paper Bags in assorted bins

What You Can Put in Mixed Recycling

All of the following materials are accepted at Wake County convenience centers:

Plastic

PLASTICS TO RECYCLE

• Bottles
• Jugs
• Tubs
• Jars

HOW TO PREPARE

• Empty and rinse food residue/dirt from the items
• Place screw caps back on the bottles

PLASTICS TO TRASH

• Pumps
• Bottles containing automotive fluids/chemicals
• Coat hangers
• Cups
• Flat lids
• Straws
• Bags
• Wraps
• Pillows

Paper

PAPER TO RECYCLE

• Newspapers
• Magazines and brochures
• Junk mail
• Envelopes
• Scrap paper
• Paper bags
• Paperback books
• Drink boxes
• Cardboard boxes
• Cardboard tubes (paper towel and toilet paper tubes)

HOW TO PREPARE

• Remove any paper clips, plastic bags, plastic wrapping, and caps
• Discard pieces covered in food residue/dirt
• Keep it dry

PAPER TO TRASH/COMPOST

• Paper towels
• Wet paper
• Paper cups and plates
• Shredded paper

Metal

METAL CANS TO RECYCLE

• All aluminum and steel cans

HOW TO PREPARE

• Rinse off food residue/dirt
• Place lids inside the cans for safety

Non-recyclable metals: ladders, hangers, aerosol cans

METALS TO TRASH

• Coat hangers
• Aerosol cans
• Ladders
• Bedframes
• Scrap metal

Glass

GLASS TO RECYCLE

• Bottles
• Jars

HOW TO PREPARE

• Rinse off food residue/dirt
• Discard plastic lids, or caps or corks
• Put metal lids in separately

Non-recyclable glass: lightbulbs, windows, mirrors

GLASS TO TRASH

• Broken containers
• Glassware
• Pyrex
• Mirrors
• Windows
• Light bulbs (discard fluorescent lights with hazardous waste)

Other Materials

Information on disposal of additional materials can be found on our Multi-Material Recycling Centers page. For disposal of hazardous and harmful materials, please visit our Household Hazardous Waste Facilities page.