Recycling 101

You think you’re recycling right, but when you bag your recyclables or put plastic bags and product wrap into your recycle bin - they could end up in the landfill. Why? Plastic bags get caught in the machinery at the recycling facility and lower the value of other recyclables.

Ensure that your recycling efforts don’t go to waste by following these three simple steps.

Ditch the bag - plastic bags and wraps don’t belong in your curbside recycle bins.
Free your recycling – keep your items loose in the bin, bagged recycling could end up in the landfill.
Recycle at other locations – take your clean bags and wraps to area grocery stores that accept these items.

Look below for a list of accepted items for curbside pickup. If it’s not on this list, place it in the trash or recycle the items at a participating store.

Plastic Film Recycling Options

Plastic film is soft, flexible polyethylene packaging used for many commonly used products. Plastic films, such as air pillows, grocery and retail bags, case wrap, newspaper bags, bread bags, food storage bags and paper product packaging, are not accepted in your curbside recycle bin; however, they can be recycled at several area grocery stores.

To recycle your plastic film, first make sure that it is clean, dry, and free of food waste, receipts, and in the case of dry cleaning bags, clothes hangers. Then, take it to one of several drop-off locations around Kansas City including several grocery stores such as Hy-Vee, Walmart and Target. Once collected, these items are processed into composite lumber or small pellets, which can be made into new bags, pallets and more.

Participating drop-off locations (subject to change)

Accepted Items

Retail, carryout, produce, newspaper, bread and dry cleaning bags (clean & dry)
Zip-top food storage bags (clean & dry)
Plastic shipping envelopes (remove labels), air pillows (deflate)
Product wrap on cases or water bottles, paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, etc.
Furniture and electronic wrap
Plastic cereal box liners (but not if it tears like paper, clean & dry)

Not-Accepted

Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging
Pre-washed salad mix bags
Frozen food bags
Candy bar wrappers
Chip bags
Six-pack rings

For a complete list check out: Plastic Film Recycling or RecycleSpot.

Recycling Waste Sort

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment partnered with Waste Management and Bridging The Gap to conduct an in-depth sort at the recycling facility in 2018 and 2019. The goal of the sort was to look at what materials residents are putting in their recycling bins that can and cannot be recycled. The results revealed that around 26% of what residents are putting in their recycling bin is actually not recyclable curbside.

2019 Recycling Waste Sort report

What can and cannot go in my recycle bin and how can I recycle more?

Do you have questions? Contact us and we will do our best to answer them.

Additional Resources: RecycleSpot has developed a comprehensive printable list of what can and can't go in your curbside recycle bin.

Item	Accepted in your curbside recycle bin?	More information
Plastic bottles and containers	Yes	Recycle empty plastics such as bottles, jars, jugs and tubs. Keep your plastic bottle caps on, they can be recycled too. Do NOT put needles or syringes in your recycling.
Paper, Flattened Cardboard and Paperboard	Yes	Recycle paper, newspapers, junk mail and magazines. Flatten and recycle all cardboard and paperboard. Paper should be dry and free of food waste. No receipts.
Food and Beverage Cans	Yes	Recycle all empty and clean tin, aluminum and steel cans.
Cartons	Yes	Empty cartons are now accepted in your curbside recycle bin. Juice pouches are not accepted at this time. To find out more information on carton recycling in your area check out the Carton Council.
Aluminum Foil	Yes, as long as it is clean	Aluminum foil that is clean and free of food waste can be recycled in your curbside recycle bin or at certain community recycling centers. Ball up your aluminum foil so it doesn't get confused for paper in the recycling process.
Pizza Boxes (without food or grease)	Yes, if there is no grease or food	Clean pizza boxes without food or grease are accepted in your curbside recycle bin. If your pizza box has food waste on it tear off the top for recycling and throw the rest in the trash.
Egg Cartons	Yes, only plastic and paper egg cartons	Plastic and paper egg cartons that are clean can be recycled in your curbside recycling bin. Styrofoam egg cartons are not recyclable and need to be disposed of in the trash.
Glass	No, but they can be recycled	Glass bottles and jars are not accepted in your curbside recycle bin with the exception of Honey Creek Disposal customers only. However, there are many options for recycling your glass. Ripple Glass operates the purple community recycle bins seen throughout Kansas City. There are also several companies that provide curbside glass pickup, including: Atlas Glass and Crush Glass.
Plastic Bags	No, but they can be recycled	Plastic bags, food storage bags, newspaper and dry cleaning bags, and product wraps are not accepted in your curbside recycling bin. However, they are recyclable and can be returned to several area grocery stores. For more info on recycling options in your area go to Plastic Film Recycling.org.
Packing materials, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts	No, but they can be recycled	Packing materials, bubble wrap and packing peanuts are not accepted in your curbside recycling bin but they are recyclable. Several area stores will accept these items if they are usable. For those options check out Recycle Spot.
Shredded paper	No, but it can be recycled	Shredded paper is not accepted in your curbside recycling bin, because it can blow around and is not easily processed in a recycling facility. However, you can recycle shredded paper with a number of area businesses who provided shredded paper disposal. For these options check out Recycle Spot.
Mattresses	No, but they can be recycled	If the mattress is still usable donate it to Sleepyhead Beds, they provide usable mattresses to kids and families who are in need. If your mattress is no longer usable, recycle it with Avenue of Life, who use recycling to create jobs for individuals with barriers to employment.
Electronics	No, but they can be recycled	Electronics should not be put in the trash; there are several options available for recycling your old electronics. RecycleSpot is a great resource for finding the closest location to recycle near you.
Textiles and clothes	No, but they can be recycled	While not accepted in your curbside recycle bin, textiles and clothes can still be recycled. Usable items can be donated at any number of locations, including Goodwill. For locations where you can recycle unusable textiles near you, check out Recycle Spot.
Plastic utensils, plates, and straws	No	Plastic utensils, plates and straws are not accepted in your curbside recycling bin. These items are made of a low-grade plastic and belong in the trash after use. Compostable utensils and cups can be composted through composting operations such as Missouri Organic Recycling, but they do not decompose in backyard compost bins.
Food wrappers	No	Food wrappers such as chip bags, candy wrappers, ketchup packets, etc., are not recyclable in your curbside recycling bin and belong in the trash. These items are often made of a combination of materials which make it difficult to separate for recycling.
Single serve coffee cups and plastic lids	No	Paper coffee cups often have a plastic or waxed coating that does not break down during the recycling process at paper mills. The plastic lids used on these type of coffee cups are also not recyclable in your curbside bin, even though they have a recycling symbol on them.
K-Cups	No	K-cups and other similar single serve cups are not recyclable due to the combination of materials they are made from. These items should be disposed of in the trash.
Paper napkins, towels and tissues	No	Paper towels, napkins, and tissues are not accepted in your curbside recycle bin and belong in the trash. Paper towels and napkins can be composted. Consider using cloth napkins and towels for a waste-free alternative.
Paper plates and cups	No	Paper plates and cups are coated in a plastic or wax material that will not break down during the recycling process, and are not accepted in your curbside recycling bin. Consider using reusable plates and cups as a waste-free option.