Standardized Terms for Materials Accepted by Municipal Recycling Programs

Batteries  

Rechargeable batteries (e.g., lithium-ion, lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride) and primary batteries (e.g., alkaline, lithium, silver oxide) from small consumer electronics, large vehicles, personal electric mobility devices (e.g., scooters and e-bikes), and other battery-operated household devices. Some types of batteries may be collected through household hazardous waste processes  

Transfer stations, collection bins at retail, community collection events 

Electronics  

Computers and peripherals, drones, mobile devices, televisions, and wearable electronics   

Transfer stations, collection bins at retail, community collection events 

Glass   

Containers and packaging, glass found in appliances, consumer electronics and furniture  

Curbside collection, transfer stations, drop-off locations

Household Hazardous Waste  

Corrosives, flammables, fluorescent tubes, pesticides, solvents, paint, oil filters, other materials or products containing volatile chemicals when discarded by residents  

Transfer stations, drop-off locations, community collection events 

Metals  

Aluminum and tin/steel and cans, ferrous and nonferrous metals from appliances (e.g., refrigerators), metals recovered for recycling from incinerator bottom ash, consumer electronics and furniture  

Curbside collection, transfer stations 

Organics – Food  

Any substance—whether processed, semi-processed, or raw—that is intended for human consumption. “Food” includes drink, and any substance that has been used in the manufacture, preparation, or treatment of food, and includes inedible parts (e.g., eggshells and bones), as well as fats, cooking oils and grease  

Curbside collection for composting, composting drop-off sites 

Organics – Yard Trimmings  

Brush and branches, grass, leaves, tree trimmings  

Curbside collection for composting, composting drop-off sites, transfer station 

Paper –   

Fiber and Paperboard  

Paperboard packaging, corrugated containers (cardboard boxes), direct mail, magazines and catalogs, newspapers and inserts, office papers, paper products (books, paper towels, tissues, paper plates and paper cups), plastic- or aluminum-lined containers and cartons 

Curbside collection, compost (food-soiled paper and cardboard), mailed recycling (plastic- or aluminum-lined containers and cartons) 

Plastic

Bottles and containers; durable plastics found in appliances, furniture and sporting and recreational equipment; rigid, flexible and expanded foam packaging

Curbside, transfer station

Textiles  

Apparel, fiber from apparel, carpets and rugs, footwear, furniture, and linens (sheets and towels)

Transfer stations, collection bins at retail

Tires  

Tires from automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, light-duty trucks, commercial trucks and buses

Transfer stations 

Wood  

Barrels, crates, pallets, small quantities of lumber and engineered wood from residential, commercial and institutional sources, and wood furniture  

Transfer stations 

Other  

Mattresses 

Transfer stations