Metal food and beverage cans are recyclable at the curb and in drop-off recycling centers. If you live in an apartment or multi-family building, ask your building manager about recycling. If recycling isn't offered in your building, call your City Recycling Coordinator for help. Aluminum cans may also be taken to a scrap metal redemption center. 

Recycle only those items that your recycler lists. Some co-ops and recycling centers accept other plastic containers; check with your city or recycler.

Do not recycle paint cans, aerosol cans or containers that held hazardous products, such as paint thinner and automotive fluids. Place empty metal containers that have held hazardous waste in the garbage, if paint or other hazardous chemicals remains in the container, take to a household hazardous waste facility.

Containers Recycling Guide: Can I Recycle It?

Glass

Yes

• Glass food and beverage bottles and jars

No

• Drinking glasses, mugs, dishes, cookware, pottery and vases
• Window and mirror glass
• Containers that held hazardous products, such as nail polish and hobby paints

Yes

• Metal food and beverage cans

No

• Paint cans
• Aerosol cans
• Containers that held hazardous products, such as paint thinner and automotive fluids

Plastic

Yes

• Plastic bottles and jugs
• Water, soda and juice bottles
• Milk and juice jugs
• Ketchup and salad dressing bottles
• Dishwashing bottles and detergent jugs
• Shampoo, soap and lotion bottles

Remember: Plastic bottles—1 and 2 will do
#1 and #2 will be inside the recycling symbol: 

No

• Margarine, cottage cheese, cream cheese and other tubs
• Yogurt, pudding and fruit cups
• Microwaveable food trays
• Produce, deli and take out containers
• Plastic wrap and bags*
• Toys
• Containers that held hazardous automotive and yard products, such as motor oil and pesticides

*Plastic shopping bags are recyclable at many local grocery stores and at some municipal drop-off recycling centers. Read our plastic shopping bags page here.

Don't forget to recycle your paper too!

For more information on cans and bottles recycling in your area, call your city recycling coordinator or contact your county (see links at right).

For easy, offline reference, you can also download our Know What to Throw Guide.

Disposal Information

Empty non-recyclable containers may be placed in the garbage. Many plastic items are not recyclable at the curb at this time. Check with your municipal drop-off recycling center to see if they accept some of these items. If the plastic item is not recyclable place it in the garbage.