Recycling

Recycle Right in Cupertino

All residents of single family homes and multi-family complexes have access to single stream recycling. Most plastics, mixed paper, glass, and metal can go in the blue recycling cart.

Sorting your items correctly is the key to successful recycling. See below for tips and sorting guides.

Did you know that the "chasing arrows" triangle symbol on the bottom of plastics does not mean it's recyclable? That symbol is a resin code to tell recyclers what material it is made from. See below for additional information about plastics.

Why Recycle?

Recycling is an easy way to reduce your impact on the environment. Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to the landfill; conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals; saves energy; and helps create American jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries.

Sorting Tips and Acceptable Items

What Items Can Be Recycled?

All recyclables should be empty, clean, and dry before they are placed in the blue bin. Please empty all liquids and scrape out food residue from containers. Accepted items include plastics, glass, aluminum, mixed paper, and cardboard.

Don't see your item listed below? Search specific items Recology’s WhatBin Tool.

CDR logoIs your item not accepted at the curb? Search for alternative disposal options at recyclestuff.us.

Plastics

  • Plastic soda, water, and other drink bottles
  • Plastic food and household bottles and jars
  • Plastic tubs and lids
  • Plastic produce, and non-food containers
  • Clear film plastic and bags (bagged together in a single bag)

Still unsure about plastics? see below for more information.

Glass and Metal

  • Aerosol cans (empty)
  • Aluminum and bi-metal cans
  • Aluminum foil (clean, no food)
  • Glass bottles and jars (labels and lids are OK)

Mixed Paper

  • Books (paperback and hardcover)
  • Cereal, cracker, and other paper food boxes (NO frozen food boxes with wax lining- these go in the trash)
  • Envelopes, junk mail, paper bags
  • Shredded paper (please put into a paper bag before placing in the recycling cart)
  • Cardboard should be flattened and placed inside your cart so the lid closes or stacked in a pile neatly next to your recycling cart

Unacceptable Items

Please place in compost cart:

  • Food contaminated paper packaging
  • Paper towels
  • Napkins
  • Tissue

Please place in garbage cart:

  • Plastic utensils and straws
  • Film plastics
  • Garden hoses
  • Packing foam peanuts
  • Styrofoam™
  • Pet waste
  • Packing envelopes
  • Textiles
  • Diapers
  • Kitty litter
  • Feminine products

Recycling Tips

Ramp up your recycling skills with these easy tips.

  • Make sure your materials are empty, clean, and dry before they go in the bin.
  • Is your recycling game feeling rusty? Take this short waste sorting quiz for some practice.
  • Break down your cardboard boxes. This will make sure you have enough capacity to fit all your recyclables in your blue bin or stacked neatly next to your bin.
  • Got leftover food in a recyclable container? Step 1 - scrape the food out of the container and into the compost. Step 2 - recycle the container. Learn more about food scrap recycling.
  • Think before you throw. Every community has different recycling rules. Make sure you are aware of Cupertino's rules and take the time to look at signs and labels on trash receptacles. Learn more about reducing your waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can empty prescription bottles be recycled?

Yes. While we don’t require you to remove labels from bottles or jars, it is recommended you remove the label from your prescription bottle as it usually contains your personal information.

How do we dispose of lids/caps on empty plastic or glass bottles/jars? Do all lids and caps have to removed? Are they trash and recycling?

Lids/ caps should be left on, but please make sure that your bottles/jars are clean, dry, and empty of liquids/contents.

Are cans (ie. Soup, tuna) recyclable?

Yes. Metal or tin cans can be placed in the recycling- this includes soup cans, tuna/fish cans, and aluminum soda cans.

Is Recology still accepting plastic bags in the recycling if they are bundled into one plastic bag and tied? Can the bags still be bundled if they are wet and dirty?

Recology is still accepting plastic bags in the recycling, but they must be clean, dry, and bundled into one plastic bag and tied.

Are old pots and pans recyclable?

Metal pots and pans can be placed into the recycling.

Can black plastic (flimsy or hard) be recycled or is that garbage?

Black plastic, flimsy or hard, is still being accepted by Recology in the recycling cart.

How clean do plastic and glass containers need to be in order to recycle them properly? For example, does peanut butter need to be completely scrubbed out before putting them in the recycling?

All containers need to empty, clean, and dry. The cleaner the container is the better chance it has to be recycled. Please take the extra step to rinse or wipe your containers out with a paper towel, then place the paper towel in the compost cart and let the container dry before placing into your blue recycling cart.

Do labels need to be taken off of jars/bottles?

No, labels are not require to be taken off of jars and bottles.

Can we put shredded paper directly into the recycling bin?

No, shredded paper should not be placed directly into the recycling bin. We ask that shredded paper is bagged in a paper bag and then placed into the recycling bin.

Can we leave staples and packaging tape on cardboard boxes when we place them in the recycling cart? What if we have cardboard that doesn’t fit inside the recycling cart?

Ideally, staples and packaging tape should be removed before you place your cardboard into the recycling cart as this will increase the likelihood that it can properly be recycled. Cardboard should be flattened to fit inside the recycling cart, if it doesn’t fit it should be bundled or neatly stacked next to the cart. The cardboard needs to be 3x3’ is necessary for fitting in truck.

Can cold liquid plastic cups be recycled?

Yes, cold liquid plastic cups can be placed into the recycling.

Can milk/ other cartons go into the compost cart? What if the carton has a plastic spout?

The plastic screw top lid will not decompose during the composting process. It is recommended to tear out the plastic before putting it in the compost cart, however, if it does not get removed it will likely be sifted out during the composting process.

Can books be recycled?

Please donate used books for others to enjoy. Hardcover and paperback books can be placed into the recycling if donation is not possible

Can all types of mail be put into the recycling? What if the type/quality of paper is different? Do we have to take the plastic window out of the envelope?

Mail of all paper types can be placed into the recycling. It is preferred that you take the plastic window out of the envelope before placing in into the recycling.

Understanding Plastics

Did you know that the "chasing arrows" triangle symbol on the bottom of plastics does not mean it's recyclable? That symbol is a resin code to tell recyclers what material it is made from.

Plastic recycling is not simple. The image below highlights some of the key ways to tell if your plastic should go in the blue recycling bin or the grey garbage bin. Search for specific plastic items on Recology's What Bin tool to know where to put your items.

Not all plastics are equal
Photo source

The truth about plastics: Only 17% of plastic waste get recycled in Cupertino according to our study conducted in 2018/19. Check out this infographic(PDF, 3MB) about how Cupertino's residents and businesses have been doing sorting their plastic waste.

Cupertino Plastics infographic - Page 1

Cupertino Plastics infographic - Page 2

Questions about recycling sorting or plastic waste? Email us at environmental@cupertino.gov