Top tips for curbside recycling

To prevent loads of recyclables from ending up contaminated and being sent to the landfill, we must recycle properly! Below are our best tips for curbside recycling in Sault Ste. Marie.

Other municipalities may have different rules.

Key points

  • We can recycle only a few plastics.
  • Recyclables should be clean.
  • You must remove caps/lids.
  • When in doubt, throw it out to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.

Also: Where to recycle stuff

Recycling plastics

  • Accepted: Only bottles marked # 1 or #2
  • Remove lids/caps and rinse clean
  • Not accepted: Clear plastic food containers (for berries, lettuce, etc.), plastic jars, plastic beverage lids, plastic stirrer sticks, plastic straws, plastic bags, plastic takeout containers, margarine, cottage cheese, sour cream or yogurt tubs
  • Also not accepted: Any types of biodegradable plastic
  • Not sure? Toss it to avoid contaminating recycling loads

Recycling glass

  • Accepted: Only bottles and jars
  • Remove lids/caps and rinse clean
  • Not accepted: drinking glasses, glass dishware, picture frame glass, window glass, broken glass
  • Not sure? Toss it (wrap broken glass to prevent injuries)

Recycling paper/cardboard

  • Accepted: paper/cardboard items (must be clean and free of plastic)
    • Newspapers, magazines, catalogues, junk mail, greeting cards, envelopes
    • Clean cardboard/boxboard, cereal/pasta/cookie boxes (remove any plastic liners)
    • Hard/soft cover books (donate rather than recycle whenever possible)
    • Clean office paper
    • Toilet paper/paper towel rolls
    • Cardboard egg cartons
    • Paper grocery bags
  • Remove plastic parts (plastic liners, caps, lids, spouts, decorations, tape)
  • Not accepted:
    • Facial tissues, paper towels, paper napkins, tissue paper
    • Soiled/greasy paper or cardboard (for example, greasy pizza box; you can tear off/recycle clean parts)
    • Paper/cardboard items covered in glitter or plastic decorations
    • Disposable coffee cups, cardboard milk/juice cartons, cardboard ice cream containers (these have plastic coatings)
    • Photographic, waxed, or other coated papers; receipts printed on thermal paper

Recycling cans/aluminum foil

  • Remove lids/snap tops
  • Rinse clean

Consider reducing consumption of items that come in non-recyclable containers

For example: Margarine, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, milk, fruit in plastic clamshells, bottled water.

Have a question or see an error?