Item
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OK to Recycle at Home?
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Alternative
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Shredded paper
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Only long shreds (at least 8 ½ inches long and ¼ inch wide) can be recycled. Put them in a clear plastic bag and tie off.
Confetti or crosscut shreds cannot be recycled, as they have no useful fibers for recycling.
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All shredded paper can be layered in food and yard waste carts with organics.
They can also be bagged and placed in the garbage.
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Plastic food bags (produce bags, bread bags, frozen food and Ziploc pouches)
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No.
Plastic food bags often contain food residue and moisture that contaminate the rest of the plastic material.
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Re-use for storing food at home and for shopping. They also can go in the garbage.
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Plastic shopping, newspaper and dry cleaning bags.
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Yes.
Stuff into one bag for recycling.
Do not recycle plastic food bags because of contamination issues.
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Avoid the need for plastic shopping bags by taking your own bags to the store.
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Packing materials (Styrofoam “peanuts,” Styrofoam blocks, bubble wrap)
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No.
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Some mailing and shipping businesses accept “peanuts” for reuse.
Call 1(800)RECYCLE.
Other loose plastic packing material can be reused at home or goes in your garbage.
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Plastic bottles and tubs
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All plastic food containers and trays can be recycled after March 30 except for #7 PLA (corn-based) and Styrofoam containers.
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Re-use whenever possible.
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Caps and lids
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Lids and caps larger than 3 inches in diameter can be recycled.
Tin can lids must stay hooked to the can and be pushed down inside.
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Plastic caps and lids smaller than 3 inches in diameter, and detached metal lids go in the garbage.
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Plant pots
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Yes, clean plant pots go in your recycling cart.
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Re-use for your own plant starts and house plants
Check the King County Materials Exchange to find nurseries that may reuse the pots.
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Compostable food ware
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No compostable food ware is allowed in your recycling cart.
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Only approved Cedar Grove compostable food ware is accepted in your food and yard waste cart. Plain uncoated (non-shiny) paper plates can also go in this cart.
Other food ware labeled compostable or biodegradeable goes in your garbage.
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Aluminum foil & pie pans
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Yes. Be sure it is clean
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Clean aluminum foil and food pans can be recycled in your curbside cart. Otherwise, put in the garbage. Reuse foil if possible.
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Prescription containers
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Cylindrical prescription vials are not recyclable. The plastic is to brittle be re-manufactured into products.
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Empty prescription medicine containers can be thrown in the garbage.
For information about safe disposal of unwanted medications, call the King County Household Hazards Line, (206) 296-4692 or visit visit Medicine Return.
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