📚 Step-by-Step Recycling Guides

Recycling (Blue) – clean and dry plastics #1–#2, glass jars, aluminum cans, paper, and cardboard. Compost (Green) – food scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, leaves, and small branches. Trash (Black/Gray) – plastic bags, styrofoam, chip bags, diapers, and food-soiled paper. Hazardous Waste – batteries, paint, motor oil, electronics, and fluorescent bulbs. Drop off at a certified center.

Rinse it. A quick rinse removes food and grease that can ruin an entire batch. Remove caps/lids. Twist off plastic caps and recycle separately if accepted locally; put lids in trash if unsure. Flatten cardboard. Breaking down boxes saves space in the bin and makes collection easier. Keep it loose. Never bag recyclables loose in plastic bags — they will not be opened and will be landfilled.

Plastic bags go in the trash or at grocery store drop-offs — never in the curbside bin. Greasy pizza boxes and paper towels belong in compost or trash; oil-soaked paper is not recyclable. Broken glass is a safety hazard. Wrap it tightly and place it in the trash, or check for a local glass recycling program. Coffee pods and K-cups are usually trash unless your program explicitly accepts mixed materials.

Set up two bins. Keep a recycling bin in the kitchen and a larger one in the garage. Use a cheat sheet. Tape the local list of accepted and rejected items on your fridge. Empty one at a time. Rinse and sort items right after use instead of letting them pile up. Check locally. Rules vary by city. Visit your trash hauler or city website for Irvine-specific recycling updates and pickup schedules.

Electronics (e-waste). Drop off at a certified drop-off point or scheduled HHW event — never trash. Batteries. Single-use, rechargeable, and button cells need separate collection to prevent fires. Plastic bags & film. Return to grocery store drop-offs; curbside bins will reject them. Textiles. Donate wearable clothing; use textile recycling bins for worn items — they become new fiber. Appliances. Refrigerators and other large devices may require a special pick-up or eco-fee return program.