Recycle Right!
When recycling, think quality, not quantity. Tossing an item into the recycling bin is easy, but the instructions – those little dos and don’ts – can be confusing, especially since they sometimes change. While the local jurisdictions vary slightly on what they collect, these tips can help no matter where you live.
PLASTIC BAGS
• Plastic produce bags, dry cleaning bags and newspaper bags might be printed with instructions saying they are recyclable, but these shouldn’t go in your recycling bin because they are not a bottle, jug or tub.
• Plastic bags are especially difficult to sort out at the recycling center. If the bags aren’t separated in time, they can wrap around machinery, causing it to jam and shut down. Instead, collect all of your plastic bags and take them back to a participating grocery store or to Tacoma’s Recover and Transfer Center: 3510 S. Mullen St.
Avoid "Wish-cycling"!
It’s tempting to toss something in the bin because you think it should be or may be recyclable. But wishing so doesn’t make it so. Example: In Tacoma, coffee cups and lids go in the garbage. In these instances, the rule to remember is “When in doubt, throw it out” or look it up:
(As of August 2018)
• Tacoma residents: Tacomarecycles.org or 253.502.2100, 8 am to 5 pm
• King County: kingcounty.gov or 206.477.4466, 8 am to 5 pm
• Pierce County: piercecountywa.gov/recycle or 253.798.2179, Monday – Friday, 8 am to 4 pm
Recycling updates
• The numbers on the bottom of plastic items no longer matter, so you only have to look at the shape to determine if it is recyclable – bottle, jug or tub.
• Screw on plastic caps can stay on plastic bottles. There is technology now to deal with them if left on the bottle. However, keep flat or snap on lids (such as on yogurt or salsa containers) out of your recycle bin. Flat lids are difficult to sort and often create problems when they end up in the paper bales.
TOO BUSY TO RECYCLE?
• Practice good recycling habits by placing a recycling container near each garbage can in your home or workspace – it’s just as easy as throwing something out!
• Remember: it’s okay if things get thrown away occasionally – just do your best to recycle acceptable items whenever you can. Every little bit helps!
Clean, dry and empty!
• Empty out bottles and cans. Rinse food residue from containers.
• No dirty paper or packaging! Example: pizza boxes often have grease spots or pizza attached. It’s okay to recycle the clean cardboard if you tear off the dirty area. But if too dirty, toss in the trash.






