Recycling: What goes in the bin?

hands hold a stack of opened envelopes and junk mail

Envelopes (including plastic windows), catalogs and junk mail all can be tossed into the recycling bin.

Envelopes (including plastic windows), catalogs and junk mail all can be recycled.

a woman sits in a cafe and reads a newspaper

After reading those newspapers and magazines, toss then loose into the recycling bin. No need to bundle them.

After reading those newspapers and magazines, toss them loose into the recycling bin. No need for bundling.

Don't worry about getting every last bit of tape off your flattened cardboard boxes. They still can be recycled.

glass jars of ginger sit on grocery store shelves

Rinsed glass jars of any color can be recycled infinitely to make new glass products. Just remember to take the lids off.

A glass sake bottle gets scanned at a grocery checkout stand

Rinsed glass bottles of any color can be recycled infinitely to make new glass products. No need to peel the labels off. Just remove the caps.

a young girl holds a plastic juice bottle

Quench your thirst. Then toss that empty plastic bottle in the recycling. Just make sure that the lid goes in the trash.

Tin and steel food cans should be rinsed before being put in the recycling bin.

a clean foil serving tray sits in a dish rack

Tin foil and foil serving trays are recyclable if mostly clean. No baked-on food.

a shopper puts a plastic tub of yellow curry in her shopping cart

Plastic tubs larger than 6 ounces should be rinsed out and recycled without their lids.

a carton of milk moves down the check out conveyor belt

Go ahead. You can toss empty milk and juice cartons in the recycling bin.

By Faith Cathcart

Aug. 3, 2018 1:31 p.m.

Bylined articles are written by Metro staff and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Metro or the Metro Council. Learn more

Recycling questions? Ask Metro

Questions about what goes in the bin – and what stays out? Find information online or call Metro at 503-234-3000.

And if you have questions about what’s happening with recycling right now and what you can do, Metro has answers. Check out this FAQ.

With all the buzz about changes to recycling markets and what to keep out of the recycling bin, it’s also helpful to know what goes in the bin.

When it comes to recycling at home or at work in greater Portland, nothing has changed. The list is still the list.

And, Metro recycling experts say, it’s important to keep recycling. As market shifts continue and the system responds, a small percentage of recycling around the state has gone to landfills. But the vast majority of what’s collected from homes and businesses in greater Portland is getting recycled. That is, the stuff that really goes in the bin. So, what is that stuff?

There are three general categories of mixed materials that can go in your home recycling bin.

Recyclable paper

Newspapers and magazines: Should be loose. No stringed bundles.
Scrap paper: Includes phone books, toilet paper rolls, catalogs, shredded paper (bagged) and junk mail (clear plastic windows are OK).
Food boxes: Includes cereal boxes, cardboard egg cartons, milk and juice cartons, and soup and broth cartons that don’t need refrigeration (also known as aseptic containers).
Corrugated cardboard and brown paper bags: Flattened. No strings.
Wrapping paper and cards: No foil, glitter or plastic coatings.

Recyclable plastic

a young girl holds a plastic juice bottle

Bottles with necks: 6 ounces or larger
Tubs: Includes yogurt, salsa, sour cream and dip containers 6 ounces or larger. Rinsed. No lids.
Jugs and jars: Includes milk jugs and peanut butter jars. Rinsed. No lids.
Rigid plant pots: 4-inch or larger.
Buckets: 5 gallons or smaller. Handles are OK.

Recyclable metal

a checker scans several cans of food — Tin and steel food cans should be rinsed before being put in the recycling bin.

Aluminum: Cans, clean foil, and food trays. No baked-on food.
Steel and tin food cans. Empty aerosol cans.
Dry metal paint cans: Less than an inch of paint is OK.
Small metal items and scrap metal: Includes bottle caps, nails, and metal items smaller than 30 inches and lighter than 30 pounds.

Glass is kept separate from other recyclable materials.

Recyclable glass

Bottles and jars: Rinsed. All colors OK. No lids. Nothing broken.

When in doubt, throw it out. Or consider new ways to reuse, repair and share.

Can you skip the plastic?

Plastic is one of life’s short cuts. And recycling it is great – when you can. But there are some easy ways to cut the amount of plastic you end up having to toss.

Avoid or reuse produce bags

A quick rinse of the bags that held your lettuce or broccoli can double the bag's life. Once they’re dry, keep them with your reusable grocery bag in a place where they’ll get used – like your car or bike bag. You can also double up items in bags, or use cloth or mesh bags.

Pass on the package

Delicate cherry tomatoes transport well in containers, but consider buying slicers instead. The same goes for bagged fruit and veggies.

Make a salad instead

Those deli containers are convenient on the run, but some quick weekly prep at home can save you some plastic recycling angst – and some money, too.

Skip the guilt

When it comes to plastic, consumer choices are limited. And that’s frustrating. But reusing your produce bags, making an occasional lunch, or keeping your reusable drink container close at hand can reduce the everyday use – and disposal of – plastic. It’s a start.

-Toby Van Fleet