Recycling at CCC

No Sort Recycling

	PAPER Cardboard, office paper, junk mail, sticky notes, envelopes, paper bags, newspaper, magazines No confidential papers. Remove binding.
No electronics or electronic media No medical, chemical or hazardous waste

Trash for Landfill

Examples:

• Plastics
• Metals
• Styrofoam
• Paper towels
• Tissues and napkins
• Greasy pizza boxes
• Paper cups  and plates
• Fast food wrappers
• Candy wrappers
• Food waste
• Glass bottles & jars

No electronics or electronic media
No medical, chemical or hazardous waste
No aerosol cans or confidential papers

No Sort Recycling

	PAPER Cardboard, office paper, junk mail, sticky notes, envelopes, paper bags, newspaper, magazines No confidential papers. Remove binding.
	PLASTICS No liquids or foods residue! No styrofoam.
	METALS Aluminum foil and cans, tin cans, steel cans only No liquids or food residue! No aerosol cans.
No electronics or electronic media No medical, chemical or hazardous waste

Trash for Landfill

Examples:

• Styrofoam
• Paper towels
• Tissues and napkins
• Greasy pizza boxes
• Paper cups  and plates
• Fast food wrappers
• Candy wrappers
• Food waste
• Glass bottles & jars

No electronics or electronic media
No medical, chemical or hazardous waste
No aerosol cans or confidential papers

No Sort Recycling

	PAPER Cardboard, office paper, junk mail, sticky notes, envelopes, paper bags, newspaper, magazines No confidential papers. Remove binding.
	PLASTICS No liquids or foods residue! No styrofoam.
	METALS Aluminum foil and cans, tin cans, steel cans only No liquids or food residue! No aerosol cans.
No electronics or electronic media No medical, chemical or hazardous waste

Trash for Landfill

Examples:

• Styrofoam
• Paper towels
• Tissues and napkins
• Greasy pizza boxes
• Paper cups  and plates
• Fast food wrappers
• Candy wrappers
• Food waste
• Glass bottles & jars

No electronics or electronic media
No medical, chemical or hazardous waste
No aerosol cans or confidential papers

No Sort Recycling

	PAPER Cardboard, office paper, junk mail, sticky notes, envelopes, paper bags, newspaper, magazines No confidential papers. Remove binding.
	PLASTICS No liquids or foods residue! No styrofoam.
	METALS Aluminum foil and cans, tin cans, steel cans only No liquids or food residue! No aerosol cans.
	GLASS Clear and colored bottles and jars only No liquids or food residue!
No electronics or electronic media No medical, chemical or hazardous waste

Trash for Landfill

Examples:

• Styrofoam
• Paper towels
• Tissues and napkins
• Greasy pizza boxes
• Paper cups  and plates
• Fast food wrappers
• Candy wrappers
• Food waste

No electronics or electronic media
No medical, chemical or hazardous waste
No aerosol cans or confidential papers

No Sort Recycling

	PAPER Cardboard, office paper, junk mail, sticky notes, envelopes, paper bags, newspaper, magazines No confidential papers. Remove binding.
	PLASTICS No liquids or foods residue! No styrofoam.
	METALS Aluminum foil and cans, tin cans, steel cans only No liquids or food residue! No aerosol cans.
	GLASS Clear and colored bottles and jars only No liquids or food residue!

No electronics or electronic media
No medical, chemical or hazardous waste

Trash for Landfill

Examples:

• Styrofoam
• Paper towels
• Tissues and napkins
• Greasy pizza boxes
• Paper cups  and plates
• Fast food wrappers
• Candy wrappers
• Food waste

No electronics or electronic media
No medical, chemical or hazardous waste
No aerosol cans or confidential papers

Why can’t Styrofoam be recycled at CCC?

Many foam food service containers like drink cups, food trays and clamshell containers have the #6 recycling symbol. These #6 foam products cannot be recycled at CCC because many regional recycling haulers do not process this material. The best way to eliminate Styrofoam waste is to avoid using it altogether. Use reusable cups and plates at your next meal/event to eliminate generating Styrofoam waste in the first place 

What do the numbers 1-7 on plastics mean? 

The number in the recycling symbol on plastic containers describes what kind of plastic resin the product is made out of.  Different recycling vendors and different communities vary in the plastic numbers that they accept for recycling.  Please check the number on your plastic container with the recycling poster at your location to see if it can be recycled at your site.

What about plastics bags?

Different recycling vendors have different policies on plastic bags. Check the recycling poster at your location. The best way to eliminate plastic bag waste is to avoid them altogether. Keep reusable shopping and grocery bags in your vehicle and use them when shopping to replace wasteful plastic bags.  

Why can’t I recycle my paper cup and plate? 

Paper plates and cups are not recyclable right now at CCC for several reasons. Most paper cups and plates are contaminated with food waste and lined with plastic or wax that make them difficult to recycle with other paper products. 

What about metal and plastic bindings in paper? 

Metal and plastic bindings in paper folders and notebooks should be removed before recycling paper.  Check to see if the separated binding is recyclable at your location.

What about staples in paper? 

Staples can be left in when the paper is recycled. They do not affect the recycling process. 

Is aluminum foil recyclable?

Yes. Aluminum foil can be put in the recycling blue bins. Other aluminum containers such as pie pans and lids are also recyclable. Be sure to rinse off all food residue before recycling them. 

What about those mixed, aluminum-like items (e.g. gum, candy, fast-food wrappers or pudding lids)?

Although many “metal-like” materials such as gum, candy and food wrappers may look like aluminum foil, they are not recyclable. These “aluminum-like” products typically contain a mixture of many different kinds of materials, making them hard to recycle. Currently these are not recycled by any of our vendors at CCC. Dispose of these items in the landfill waste bin.

What about recycling scrap metals?

Many different types of scrap metals are recyclable; however, do not put them in the blue recycling bins. Contact the Environmental Sustainability Office or the Facilities Department at your location to see if they can recycle the scrap metal that you have.

Why do I need to empty liquids from recyclables? 

Liquids need to be dumped/removed to eliminate contamination of other recyclable materials, to keep pests out of the recyclables, and for sanitation when hauling and sorting the recyclables. 

Why can’t recyclables have food in them?

Recyclables need food residue removed to eliminate contaminations of the recyclables. Food residue also attracts pests and can create unsanitary conditions for people who work in the recycling industry.  

How clean should recyclables be? 

All liquids should be emptied and all excessive food waste should be removed.  Excessive food residue typically can be removed from recyclable containers with a quick rinse or wipe of the item.

Does recycling really “save the planet?” 

Recycling is a great way to conserve valuable natural resources; however, please always remember the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – and their order of importance. Reducing wasteful consumption and reusing existing products eliminates considerably more impacts than recycling alone.

What if I cannot find my item in the CCC recycling guide?

If there is an item that you believe belongs in the recycling guide, please contact the Environmental Sustainability Office with a description and picture of the item and it will be added to the guide.  IMPORTANT NOTE: For all hazardous, medical or chemical waste questions or disposal, contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office.