Making small changes to what you put in your recycling container can have a big impact on how materials are recovered and reused. At WIN Waste Innovations, we’re committed to helping you recycle smarter — supporting a circular economy where resources are continuously repurposed into new products, reducing reliance on single-use materials and promoting a healthier world.
Not sure what can go in the recycling bin? Here’s an easy list to follow, and you can grab a printable copy for your home or business by clicking the link below!
Table of Contents
What Can Be Recycled
Make sure all items are empty, clean, and dry before tossing them in your recycling bin!
- Paper and Envelopes
- Newspapers, office paper, junk mail, and envelopes are all recyclable.
- Flattened Cardboard and Paperboard
- Think cereal boxes, shipping boxes, and paperboard packaging.
- Glass Bottles and Jars
- Clear, green, and brown glass bottles and jars are accepted.
- Plastic Bottles, Cups, and Containers
- Water bottles, soda bottles, yogurt cups, and other plastic containers with recycling symbols.
- Aluminum Cans, Foil, and Food Containers
- Soda cans, food cans, and clean aluminum foil can be recycled.
What Cannot Be Recycled
Keep these items out of your recycling bin to avoid contamination:
- Food, Liquids, and Contaminated Recyclables
- No leftover food, greasy pizza boxes, or half-full drink containers.
- Styrofoam Cups and Containers
- Styrofoam is not recyclable in our program.
- Paper Towels, Napkins, and Food or Drink Containers
- These items belong in the trash, not the recycling bin.
- Wax-Lined Cartons and Containers
- Milk cartons and juice boxes with wax lining cannot be recycled.
- Plastic Bags, Straws, or Film/Wrap
- These materials can jam recycling equipment. Take them to a grocery store drop-off if possible.
- Drinking Glassware and Broken Glass
- Only bottles and jars are recyclable. Glassware and broken glass are not.
Why It Matters
Recycling correctly helps ensure that valuable materials like paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and aluminum are processed efficiently and turned into new products, reducing the need for raw resources and minimizing landfill waste. When non-recyclable or contaminated items end up in the recycling bin, they can spoil entire batches of recyclables, making it harder to recover many of the useful materials and increase costs for everyone.
WIN Waste Innovations uses advanced recycling facilities to maximize the amount of material that gets reused. Items that cannot be recycled are converted into renewable energy, helping to power communities and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. By following recycling guidelines, you help create a cleaner environment, conserve natural resources, and support a more sustainable future for your community.
Want to see how we're doing our part to create a greener, healthier planet in every step of our operation? See how we're Green by Design.
