What do we recycle?
Paper
newspaper, office paper, junk mail, envelopes, wrapping paper
Boxboard and Cardboard
Corrugated cardboard and boxboard including:
- cereal boxes
- shoe boxes
- most gift boxes
- soda/beverage containers
- most food packaging containers such as boxes of macaroni and cheese, rice, microwave meals.
Aluminum and Metal Cans
food cans (labels left on OK), soda cans
Glass
Jars and bottles
Plastic containers: # 1 through # 7, including yogurt and margarine tubs
What cannot be recycled?
Plastic bags
Styrofoam (cups, egg cartons, take-out containers)
Pizza boxes from take-out or delivery services
Yard waste/leaves (set out for yard trimmings pick up)
Food waste
Garbage (you may be charged for extra garbage if you put garbage in your recycling cart)
Helium tanks
Large metal items such as frying pans and metal pipes
Large plastic items (plastics that are gallon-sized or smaller are ok)
Wire coat hangers (recycle at your local dry cleaners)
What do I do with?
The City of Austin’s A to Z guide to recycling, reusing, composting and more.
If you are not sure if it recycles, please leave it on the kitchen counter and we’ll take care of it.
