Printable Forms
and Applications
Public Access
(Online Services)
What You Should be Recycling
How it Should be Prepared
There are a number of items that can be recycled. However, there seems to be some confusion as to exactly what can and cannot be recycled as well as how items should be prepared. The list below may or may not represent everything that your community recycles, but the way your recycling should be prepared, is consistent. For instance take that avid recycler who wants to recycle everything including the storms windows from their home. That plate glass window is not recyclable and will contaminate the recycler’s load, making that truckload nothing more than trash. Read on for more recycling tips.
Aluminum
Recyclable - All aluminum beer and soda cans are presently accepted at participating curbside and drop off locations.
Non-recyclable - Aluminum trays, pie tins, ice cube trays, aluminum siding, storm doors, windows and gutters, lawn furniture are currently not accepted at participating curbside or drop off locations. Local recyclers may accept some/all of thes items. Please check the section entitled Recyclers.
Glass
Recyclable - Glass containers (clear, amber, and green)
Non-recyclable - Milk white glass, pottery, plate glass, mirrors, light bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, crystal, ceramics.
How to Prepare for recycling - Rinse all bottles and jars. Labels can stay on. Always remove metal rings or caps. (If your municipality co-mingles ~ simply remove the lid and place it in the same recycling container.) If required by your municipality, separate by color. Store all glass intact do not break.
Paper
Recyclable - Newsprint, corrugated boxes, cardboard egg cartons, telephone books (Remove front and back covers), computer and white paper.
Non-recyclable - Waxed or plastic coated paper, cellophane, glossy magazine paper (Check with your township to verify what is collected locally.)
How to Prepare for recycling - Newspaper, keep clean and dry. Stack less than one foot high, tie with twine or pack in paper bags (please no plastic grocery bags). Cardboard should be broken down flat, stack, and tie in small bundles.
Plastic
Recyclable - HPDE #1 and #2, PET #1 and #2. The Plastics Council advises that the easiest way to identify these bottles is any bottle whose neck is smaller that the bottom. This includes soda and water bottles, liquid detergent bottles. Plastic shopping bags can usually be returned to the supermarket. Recycling containers are usually located near the entrances. Plastic shopping bags should not be placed with your regular curbside recycling.Non-recyclable - At this time any plastic #3 through #7 are not accepted for recycling. This includes plastic film, wrap, Styrofoam, or any plastic toy, furniture, or gadget. As stated above, plastic shopping bags can only be recycled at your local supermarkets. The exception is Springfield and Newtown Townships, which is currently accepting #3.
How to Prepare for recycling - Rinse all containers, labels can stay. Remove all lids. Plastic lids are not recyclable and should be disposed with your regular trash. This also includes liquid detergent lids.
Ferrous Metals
Recyclable - Most ferrous metals, but separated according to type: cast iron, steel sheet metal, tincoated cans, bi-metal cans (steel and aluminum).
Tin cans - Rinse prior to recycling.
Bi-Metal Cans - Rinse prior to recycling. Other ferrous metals, please check with a local scrap dealer about preparation.
Non-recyclable - Non-ferrous metals cannot be mixed with ferrous metals, except when indicated by municipality: To identify which is which place a magnet on the can. Magnets will only stick to ferrous metals.
Non-Ferrous Metals
Recyclable - Nickel, bronze, copper, brass and lead
Non-recyclable - Ferrous metals cannot be mixed with non-ferrous (test with a magnet. Magents will not stick non-ferrous metals).
How to Prepare for recycling - Check with your local scrap dealer or recycling center about preparation and sale.