Garbage material and how to sort

Proper use of the green organics and blue recycling carts, as well as the Recycle Depot will help reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfill.

Black garbage carts

Collection frequency: weekly. Learn about cart placement.
Accepted items: items that can’t be recycled or composted and are at the end of their useful life. Unsure where an item belongs? View our Where does it go: item search tool.
Cart use:

Some excess material can be reduced by making sure items are placed in the correct cart, for example, food scraps, yard waste, and pet waste belong in the green cart, while recyclable items go in the blue cart.
All garbage must be placed inside the black cart in bags; no loose items. Place multiple small bags in the cart; do not line cart with a bag.
Sharp objects (e.g., broken ceramics or mirrors) must be in a sealed puncture-proof container.
The lid must close. Large and excess recycling can be brought to the Transfer Site for a fee.
If items are still usable, consider reuse through charities, thrift stores or online platforms.
Extra garbage and large items like construction material and broken furniture can be brought to the Transfer Site for a fee. You can also purchase extra bag tags so up to three tagged garbage bags can be placed out with your regular bag on collection day each week. Learn more about bag tags for excess waste.

Plastic materials

Materials	Location and sorting
Non-stretchy plastics like chip bags, pet food bags and candy wrappers Straws, cutlery Hard and soft plastics without #1-7 on it Plastic toys like dolls or blow up pools photo and sticker paper	Black recycling cart Transfer Site

Materials	Location and sorting
Ceramics like plates, cups and decorative items Broken glass, ceramics, mirror (place in a puncture proof container like a cardboard box) Garden hoses Dryer sheets CDs, DVDs, VHS, tapes Picture frames, wall art Canvas, tarps, umbrellas Decorations (non-electronic, holiday ribbons, tinsel, cellophane) Arts and crafts like glue, writing utensils, paper with decorations such as feathers and sequins LED light bulbs Nails and screws (place in a puncture proof container like a cardboard box) Mattresses and box springs Furniture like couches and wooden bed frames Car seats Exercise equipment Toilets large appliances like fridges, freezers, ovens and water coolers (additional charges for freon removal)	Black recycling cart Batteries, hazardous waste, packaging foam, light bulbs, and chemicals cannot go in your blue cart but can be brought to the Recycle Depot. Transfer Site Extra garbage and large items like construction material and broken furniture can be brought for a fee.

Materials

Location and sorting

Ceramics like plates, cups and decorative items
Broken glass, ceramics, mirror (place in a puncture proof container like a cardboard box)
Garden hoses
Dryer sheets
CDs, DVDs, VHS, tapes
Picture frames, wall art
Canvas, tarps, umbrellas
Decorations (non-electronic, holiday ribbons, tinsel, cellophane)
Arts and crafts like glue, writing utensils, paper with decorations such as feathers and sequins
LED light bulbs
Nails and screws (place in a puncture proof container like a cardboard box)
Mattresses and box springs
Furniture like couches and wooden bed frames
Car seats
Exercise equipment
Toilets
large appliances like fridges, freezers, ovens and water coolers (additional charges for freon removal)

Batteries, hazardous waste, packaging foam, light bulbs, and chemicals cannot go in your blue cart but can be brought to the Recycle Depot.

Extra garbage and large items like construction material and broken furniture can be brought for a fee.

Materials	Location and sorting
Food related foam and packaging like meat trays, egg cartons, cereal and cookie bags Packaging peanuts Floral wrap	Black recycling cart Transfer Site

Materials	Location and sorting
Diapers and wipes (including flushable and compostable options) Feminine hygiene products like pads, tampons and liners Masks, disposable gloves Cosmetics Bottles filled with liquids (e.g. shampoo, bubble bath bottle half full) Soap bar, toothpaste tubes IV bags, tubing, catheters (please double bag these before placing in your cart or taking to the Transfer Site) cigarette butts	Black recycling cart Transfer Site

Materials	Location and sorting
Wood (treated and untreated) Drywall Shingles Nails and screws Pipes Metal bed frames Cookware (pots, pans, baking sheets) Metal household items (hangers, door knobs) Shelving units Car tires with the rims removed	Transfer Site

Materials	Location and sorting
Excess leaves, branches and grass (no food, sod or dirt) Large branches and stumps Christmas trees The City hosts an annual tree chipping event after Christmas at the Recycle Depot. Learn more	Transfer Site