What Waste Management recycling collects and how the program operates
Waste Management runs curbside recycling in most of the cities and counties where it provides trash service. The program accepts paper, cardboard, metals, glass, and plastics in a single bin — you do not sort by material type. Waste Management trucks pick up the bin on your regular collection day, usually weekly, and take the contents to a sorting facility where machines and workers separate the materials by type.
Your local Waste Management branch sets the specific rules for what goes in the bin, because recycling facilities vary in what they can process. Some accept all plastic bottles and containers; others take only bottles and jugs. Some take food-soiled cardboard; others reject it. The best way to know your local rules is to check your service agreement or call your local Waste Management office — the rules for the next town over may be different from yours.
If you do not currently have Waste Management trash service, you may still be able to use a Waste Management recycling drop-off center in your area. These centers accept materials during set hours and are free to use. You can search for drop-off locations on the Waste Management website by entering your zip code.
Key Takeaways
- Waste Management curbside recycling accepts mixed materials in a single bin on your regular trash collection day, with no sorting required.
- What materials your local program accepts depends on the sorting facility that serves your area, so check your service agreement or call your local office for the exact list.
- Food-soiled items, plastic bags, and hazardous materials like batteries and paint should never go in the recycling bin, as they damage equipment and contaminate other materials.
- If you do not have Waste Management service, you can find free drop-off recycling centers in your area through the Waste Management website.
- Contamination — putting items in the bin that should not be there — can shut down sorting equipment and delay processing of materials from your entire neighborhood.
Materials Waste Management accepts in curbside bins
Most Waste Management curbside programs accept cardboard boxes, newspaper, magazines, office paper, and junk mail. Aluminum and steel cans, tin cans, and metal food containers are accepted. Glass bottles and jars of any color go in the bin. Plastic bottles and jugs marked with recycling numbers 1 through 7 are usually accepted, though some areas take only numbers 1 and 2.
Plastic containers like yogurt cups, takeout boxes, and margarine tubs are accepted in many areas but not all. The safest approach is to check your local guidelines before putting these items in the bin. Waste Management publishes a list for each service area on its website — search by your zip code to find the exact materials your facility processes.
Items that look like they should be recyclable but often are not include plastic bags, which tangle in sorting equipment; foam takeout containers and packing peanuts, which most facilities cannot process; and shredded paper, which falls through the sorting screens. Putting these items in the bin causes equipment shutdowns that delay processing for your entire neighborhood.
Items that should never go in the recycling bin
Hazardous materials — batteries, paint, motor oil, pesticides, and cleaning chemicals — must never go in recycling. These items are dangerous to workers and can contaminate the entire load. The same applies to medical waste like needles and sharps, and to electronics like computers, phones, and televisions.
Food waste and liquids should not go in the bin. Even a small amount of liquid can make cardboard and paper unusable. Food residue attracts pests and creates odor problems at the sorting facility. Rinse containers before placing them in the bin, but do not put the rinse water in — let it drain completely.
Cords, wires, and chains should not be included because they wrap around sorting equipment and cause shutdowns. Clothing, textiles, and shoes do not belong in recycling bins, even if they are made of plastic or synthetic material. Waste Management and most other programs cannot process these items and they jam the machinery.
How to prepare items for pickup
Rinse food and beverage containers before placing them in the bin. You do not need to scrub them clean — a quick rinse is enough to prevent odor and contamination. Flatten cardboard boxes to save space in the bin. Leave lids off glass jars and bottles so they do not trap liquid.
Do not bag your recyclables. Plastic bags tangle in the sorting equipment and cause shutdowns, even if the bags themselves are made of recyclable plastic. Place loose items directly in the bin. If you need to contain loose items, use a cardboard box with the bottom cut out, or straightforward pile materials loosely.
Make sure the bin lid closes completely. If materials are overflowing, do not add more — wait for the next collection day or take extra items to a drop-off center. Overfilled bins may not be picked up, and loose materials can scatter during transport.
Waste Management drop-off recycling centers
Drop-off centers accept the same materials as curbside programs, with some variation by location. Hours are usually limited — many operate only on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. You can bring as much as you want, and there is no charge. Some centers have separate bins for different materials; others use a single mixed bin like curbside service.
To find a drop-off center near you, go to the Waste Management website, select "Recycling" from the menu, and enter your zip code. The search will show you the address, hours, and phone number of each center in your area. Call ahead if you are unsure whether a specific item is accepted, because rules vary by facility.
Drop-off centers are useful if you generate more recyclables than your curbside bin can hold, if you have materials that your curbside program does not accept, or if you do not have Waste Management trash service. Some people use drop-off centers for items like electronics or hazardous materials that require special handling, though Waste Management operates separate collection events for these materials in many areas.
Special collection events for electronics and hazardous waste
Waste Management organizes collection events for electronics, batteries, paint, and other hazardous materials that cannot go in regular recycling bins. These events are usually held once or twice a year in each service area and are free to residents. Items accepted typically include computers, monitors, televisions, printers, batteries, paint cans, motor oil, and propane tanks.
To find out when and where the next event is scheduled in your area, check the Waste Management website or call your local office. Some areas also offer year-round drop-off for certain items like batteries and paint at designated locations. Hazardous waste collection prevents these materials from contaminating landfills and water supplies, and allows valuable materials like copper and gold in electronics to be recovered.
What happens to your recycling after pickup
After Waste Management collects your bin, the truck takes the mixed materials to a sorting facility. There, conveyor belts move the materials past workers and machines that separate them by type. Magnets pull out steel cans, eddy currents separate aluminum, optical scanners identify different types of plastic, and workers remove contamination by hand.
Once sorted, each material is baled — compressed into large bundles — and sold to manufacturers who use it to make new products. Paper and cardboard become new boxes and paper products. Aluminum cans are melted down and formed into new cans or other products. Plastic is shredded and melted into pellets for new containers or fibers. Glass is crushed and used in new containers or as aggregate in road construction.
The revenue from selling sorted materials helps offset the cost of collection and sorting. When commodity prices for recycled materials are low, the program costs more to operate. When prices are high, the program generates revenue. This is why Waste Management and other recyclers sometimes change what they accept — they stop taking materials that are too expensive to sort and sell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put plastic bags in the recycling bin?
No. Plastic bags tangle in the sorting equipment and cause shutdowns that delay processing for your entire neighborhood. If you need to contain loose items, use a cardboard box with the bottom cut out, or bring items to a drop-off center where staff can remove bags before materials enter the sorting line.
What should I do with items Waste Management does not accept?
Check the Waste Management website for special collection events in your area — electronics, batteries, paint, and other hazardous materials are usually collected for free once or twice a year. For items that are not hazardous, like clothing or textiles, contact your local waste authority or search for nonprofit organizations in your area that accept donations.
Do I need to remove labels from bottles and cans?
No. Labels are made of paper and are sorted out during processing. Just rinse the container so food residue does not contaminate other materials. Caps and lids can stay on or come off — either way is fine, though some facilities prefer lids removed so they do not trap liquid.
What if my recycling bin is too small for all my materials?
You can request a larger bin from Waste Management, usually at no extra charge. If you generate more than even a large bin can hold, use a drop-off center for the overflow, or schedule a second collection day if your service plan allows it. Call your local Waste Management office to discuss options.
Are there items that look recyclable but actually are not?
Yes. Foam takeout containers, packing peanuts, plastic bags, shredded paper, and plastic-coated paper cups cannot be processed by most facilities. Putting these items in the bin contaminates the load and can damage equipment. Check your local guidelines on the Waste Management website to see the complete list of what your facility accepts.