Separating Your Recycling

How to Prepare Your Recycling

All recycling must be placed in separate paper bags, as follows:

Recyclable	Process	Place in Paper Bag	Maximum
Cans; food, beverage & aluminum foil	Rinse, clean and remove all caps or lids.	Yes
Glass Bottles & Jars	Rinse, clean and throwaway all caps or lids.	Yes
Plastic Bottles	Rinse, clean and throwaway all caps or lids.	Yes
Newspaper	Keep dry. Ads are accepted.	Yes, or bundle with string or twine.	20 lbs.
Magazines and Catalogs	Keep dry.	Yes	20 lbs.
Dry Food Boxboard, Office Paper & Mail	Flatten boxes, remove plastic, and keep dry.	Yes
Household Batteries	Tape ends of lithium contacts to prevent fire.	No, but Place in clear plastic bag, on top or inside the bin.
Phone Books	Keep dry.	No, but Place on top or inside the bin.
Corrugated Cardboard	Flatten each box. Remove and throw away plastic, tape and packing material.	No, but must be bundle with string or twine	20 lbs. 3ft. x 3ft.

Why Must I Separate All My Recycling?

Sorted recycling generates the biggest revenue. Revenue from recycling provides money for:

• Large item pickup
• The voucher program
• Clean City programs
• Ongoing operating costs

If the City of Minneapolis used single-stream recycling (all recycling in one bin, as some areas do), the higher cost of processing these materials would result in lower revenue, and possible cuts in other waste services.

Why We Do Not Recycle Certain Items

To understand stand why we might not recycle something you think we should, please check our What To Do List. If you are still unsure, please call our general number (612) 673-2917.