Keeping contamination out of your recycling cart is one of the best things you can do for Eugene's environment — and for your wallet.
Here are the biggest things to keep in mind:
- Rinse everything. All recyclables need to be clean and dry before they go in the bin.
- No food scraps. Food waste and yard debris belong in your compost cart, not the green recycling cart.
- No plastic bags. They gum up the works at the recycling facility — toss clean recyclables loose into the cart.
- No styrofoam. Block styrofoam and packing peanuts can't be recycled curbside.
- No broken glass or mirrors. These belong in your trash cart, wrapped securely.
- No electronics, batteries, or hazardous materials. These all require special handling — check our recycling guide or call Lane County Waste Management at 541-682-4120 for options.
When in doubt, check out our full Recycling Guide for a complete list of what goes where. Recycling right is a win for Eugene's ecosystem — and you're a big part of making it happen.
