Recycling of Your Bottles & Cans and Mixed Paper at Home

Glass Jars & Bottles
Metal Cans
Plastic Jugs & Bottles
Mixed Paper
More Information

Glass Jars & Bottles

We Can Recycle

• Glass jars and bottles (any color)
  • Empty and rinse
  • Discard caps & lids
  • Labels & rings may stay on

We Can't Recycle

• Dishes and ceramics
• Drinking glasses
• Window glass
• Light bulbs
• Mirrors
• Corningware or Pyrex

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Metal Cans

We Can Recycle

• Aluminum and steel food and beverage cans
  • Empty and rinse
  • Labels may stay on

We Can't Recycle

• Aluminum foil or trays
• Lawn chairs
• Pots, pans or other scrap metal

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Plastic Jugs & Bottles

We Can Recycle

• Narrow-neck plastic bottles and jugs with a number 1 or 2 or no number at all on the bottom.
  • Empty and rinse
  • Discard caps
  • Crush if possible

We Can't Recycle

• Wide-mouth plastic containers (such as margarine or yogurt containers)
• Plastic trays or film
• Styrofoam
• Plastic bags, film or wrap
• Motor oil or antifreeze bottles
• Swimming pools

Collection Information: Recyclable bottles & cans must be placed out for collection in open-top bins (such as laundry baskets and storage bins) OR in see-through plastic bags (blue, clear, tan, white, etc.).  Always place materials out the night before collection day. 

No trash containers and no red/pink or yellow bags.

Mixed Paper (includes cardboard)

We Can Recycle

• Newspapers (glossy inserts ore O.K.)
• Magazines
• Phone Books
• Catalogs
• Writing and computer paper
• Mail (plastic windows are O.K.)
• Paperboard boxes (such as cereal and shoe boxes)
• Cardboard boxes (clean and flattened)

We Can't Recycle

• Plastic bags or wrappers
• Milk or juice cartons
• Paper towels or tissues
• Paper laminated with plastic, wax or metal
• Pizza Boxes
• Waxed cardboard

Collection Information: Recyclable mixed paper must be placed out for collection in paper bags, cardboard boxes, or tied with non-plastic string. The bags, boxes, or bundles may be placed out in open-top bins.  Always place materials out the night before collection day.

No paper in plastic bags (even if it's raining!) and no trash containers.

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More Information

If you have any questions please contact customer service at recycle@baltimorecountymd.gov or 410-887-2000.

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Revised April 9, 2008