Item
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OK to Recycle at Home?
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Alternatives
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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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Computers & Electronics
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You can request a home pickup for your computer, monitor, or television by calling 684-3000. There is a $20 fee per item. These materials will be recycled safely.
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For free recycling dropoff of computers, monitors, and TVs, visit E-Cycle Washington or call 1(800) RECYCLE
For cell phones, stereo systems, VCRs, printers, computer keyboards and mice, use the Take It Back Network to find out where to take them.
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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.
Check King County Reuse and Recycling website or 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 bottles, containers and trays are accepted in your recycling cart 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.
Re-use for your own plant starts and house plants.
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Check the King County Materials Exchange to find nurseries that may reuse the pots.
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CD cases
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No.
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Search by categories of items for private recyclers at King County Reuse and Recycling website.
They also can go in the garbage.
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Aluminum foil
Pie Pans
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Yes. Be sure they are clean.
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Food soiled foil goes in the garbage.
You can reuse clean foil.
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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 Medicine Return
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Compostable food service items
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Do not put compostable food service products in your curbside recycling cart.
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Only approved Cedar Compostable food service products accepted by Cedar Grove (PDF) can go in your residential food and yard waste cart. Plain food-soiled paper plates such as Chinet brand can also go in your residential food and yard cart."
Other food service products, even if labeled compostable or biodegradable, goes in your garbage.
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