Curbside Recycling

Recycling Guidelines

Mixed Paper

Accepted

Pile of mixed paper

  • White office paper
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines
  • Hardcover/softcover books
  • Catalogs
  • Junk mail
  • Phone books
  • Paperboard
  • Shredded paper (in a sealed paper bag)

Not Accepted

  • Coffee cups
  • Greasy pizza boxes
  • Paper plates or other food service ware items

Plastic

AcceptedPlastic Bottles, Jugs, and Jars

  • Bottles, jugs, and jars (3 gallons or less).

Not Accepted

  • Plastics such as:
    • Clamshell take-out containers
    • Toys
    • Buckets
    • Swimming pools
    • Keurig Cups
    • Coffee cups/lids
    • Plastic lids
    • Storage containers/trash cans
    • Garden hoses
    • Styrofoam

Glass

Accepted

Accepted types of glass include all kinds of colors

  • Amber, blue, red, green, and clear bottles and jugs (3 gallons or less).

Not Accepted

  • Windows
  • Pyrex
  • Plate, drink or dinnerware

Cardboard

Pile of cardboard

Accepted

  • Must be flattened and placed into another box or bin for collection.

Not Accepted

  • Greasy pizza boxes
  • Plastic packing material (Styrofoam™, bubble wrap, plastic wrap, packing pellets, etc.)

Metal

Accepted

Pile of tin cans.

  • Empty aluminum, aerosol, & steel cans. Leave labels on, discard lids or leave attached to can.

Not Accepted

  • Loose metal lids and bottle caps
  • Metal cookware
  • Aluminum pans and foil

Recycling Contamination, and Why It Matters?

One of the biggest challenges facing recycling right now is contamination by wishful recycling or “wish-cycling”. This happens when non-recyclable objects are placed in the recycling bin with the wish it will be recycled. Additionally, recycling contamination occurs when food residue, liquids, and unacceptable materials (such as batteries, sharps, extra plastic bags, food waste, and greasy pizza boxes), are placed into the recycling can. Contaminants not only degrade the materials, boosting costs, but they can potentially cause harm to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and city employees.

Not Accepted

 
 Bagged Recyclables - Unaccepted
 Plastic Bags, Films, Packaging - Unaccepted Electronics - Unaccepted  
 Hazardous Waste - Unaccepted  Styrofoam - Unaccepted
Food Waste - Unaccepted    Durable Goods - Unaccepted

 

While these items are not accepted at the curb, click here for waste disposal resources.

Additional Information

Have an item that is not listed above? Please email recycling@pittsburghpa.gov or call 412-255-2631

For missed pickups please submit a 311 request online, call 311 directly, or dial 412-255-2621

 

AT THE LAST RESORT ONLY, WHEN IN DOUBT THROW IT OUT!

 

Did you know that recycling is mandatory in the City of Pittsburgh? All residents of single-family homes and small apartments (five or fewer) must separate recyclable items from household trash and package them for bi-weekly recycling curbside collection, per City Code §619.03(a). The City practices single-stream recycling, which means all recyclables are combined and placed into one truck and taken to a Materials Recovery Facility for further processing.

 

last updated: 17/04/2025

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