Recycle Right in Cupertino

All businesses and multi-family complexes should have access to single stream recycling. Most plastics, mixed paper, glass, and metal can go in the blue recycling cart. These materials are collected by the garbage hauler, Recology.

Why Recycle?

Recycling is an easy way to reduce your impact on the environment. Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to the landfill; conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals; saves energy; and helps create American jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries.

What Items Can Be Recycled?

All recyclables should be empty, clean, and dry before they are placed in the blue bin. Please empty all liquids and scrape out food residue from containers. Accepted items include plastics, glass, aluminum, mixed paper, and cardboard. Search specific items at recyclestuff.us or in Recology’s WhatBin Tool. 

Plastics

• Plastic soda, water, and other drink bottles
• Plastic food and household bottles and jars
• Plastic tubs and lids
• Plastic produce, and non-food containers
• Clear film plastic and bags (bagged together in a single bag) 

Glass & Aluminum

• Aerosol cans (empty)
• Aluminum and bi-metal cans
• Aluminum foil (clean, no food)
• Glass bottles and jars (labels and lids are OK)

Mixed Clean and Dry Paper

• Books (paperback and hardcover)
• Cereal, cracker, and other paper food boxes (NO frozen food boxes with wax lining- these go in the trash) 
• Envelopes, junk mail, paper bags
• Shredded paper (please put into a paper bag before placing in the recycling cart)
• Cardboard should be flattened and placed inside your cart so the lid closes or stacked in a pile neatly next to your recycling cart

Unacceptable Items

• Please place in compost cart: Food contaminated paper packaging, paper towels, napkins, tissue
• Please place in garbage cart: Plastic utensils and straws, film plastics, garden hoses, packing foam peanuts, styrofoam^TM, pet waste, packing envelopes, textiles, diapers, kitty litter, feminine products

Recycling Tips 

Ramp up your recycling skills with these easy tips. 

• Is your recycling game feeling rusty? Take this short waste sorting quiz for some practice. 
• Break down your cardboard boxes. This will make sure you have enough capacity to fit all your recyclables in your blue bin or stacked neatly next to your bin.
• Empty liquids before recycling bottles, cans, and containers
• Think before you throw. Every community has different recycling rules. Make sure you are aware of Cupertino's rules and take the time to look at signs and labels on trash receptacles.