IN THE BIN
What Goes in the Sioux Falls Recycling Bin?
PAPER &
CARDBOARD
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Examples: Paper, Paper Bags, Envelopes, Magazines, Junk Mail, Paper Cups, Cardboard Boxes, Pizza Boxes, Paper Egg Cartons, Paper Take-Out Containers, Cereal Boxes, Pasta Boxes, Pop Boxes, Milk and Juice Cartons, Bagged Shredded Paper*.
Instructions: Remove metal or plastic clips, bindings, bubble wrap, styrofoam before recycling. Staples and plastic windows are OK.
*Shredded paper is ONLY exception to No Bags rule – Place in clear bag and tie shut.
PLASTIC BOTTLES,
TUBS, & JUGS
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Bottle Examples: Water and Soda Bottles, Cleaning Spray Bottles (remove the nozzle), Shampoo Bottles, Lotion and Hand-Soap Bottles (remove the pump), Dish Soap Bottles, Detergent Bottles, Coffee Creamer Bottles, Condiment Bottles like Salad Dressing, Ketchup, etc.
Tub Examples: Margarine Tubs, Yogurt Tubs, Cool Whip Tubs, Tupperware Tubs, Sour Cream Tubs, Ice Cream Tubs, Cat Litter Tubs, Peanut Butter Tubs and Jars, Cottage Cheese Tubs, etc.
Jug and Bucket Examples: Milk Jugs, Detergent Jugs, Juice Jugs, Ice Cream Buckets, Kitty Litter Buckets, 5 Gallon Buckets, etc.
Instructions: Empty liquid and food contents. If the cap is just plastic (not a pump or nozzle), place back on if completely empty. IF chemicals, please TRIPLE RINSE and keep lid off.
NUMBERS DO NOT MATTER!
Learn more about Plastic Recycling
METAL CANS
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Examples: Tin, Steel and Aluminum Cans, Soup Cans, Tuna Cans, Soda Cans, Beer Cans, Vegetable Cans, Aerosol Cans (if completely empty), Aluminum Foil and Trays*.
Instructions: Empty all liquid and food contents. Place lid (if metal) back on or set in container. Labels are OK.
*For aluminum foil or trays, make sure they are clean and roll into a ball.
GLASS BOTTLES & JARS
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Examples: Glass Jam Jars, Pickle Jars, Pasta Sauce Jars, Baby Food Jars, Olive Oil Bottles, Beer Bottles, Wine Bottles, Ketchup Bottles, etc.
ALL GLASS COLORS ARE OK.
Instructions: Empty all liquid and food contents and place metal lid back on if empty.
GET THE GUIDE
KEEP IT LOOSE
Don’t Be A Drag…Dump Out Your Bag
Plastic bags do not belong in your recycling bin.
Loose in the Bin
Not Bagged
No Bags, No Film, No Wrap... what does this mean?
Keep your items loose in the bin (do not bag them)- Do not include any type of bags, wrap or film including:
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- Grocery bags
- Ziplock bags
- Trash bags
- Cereal bags
- Bubble mailers
- Bubble wrap
- Saran wrap
- Shrinkwrap
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The only exception is shredded paper. Bag it in a transparent bag so the recycling team can see it, sort it out, and separate if for recycling.
Why are bags such a problem?
Bags are the number #1 challenge in the mixed recycling because:
• Labor Intensive: Equipment cannot sort bags, so they must be pulled out by hand.
• Hard on Equipment: If missed, bags get stuck in equipment and have to be cut out.
• No Markets: Unfortunately, bags that come from mixed recycling are too “dirty” for end processors. They end up in the landfill, just with a lot more effort and cost to get them there.
What should you do with bags?
• Reduce and Reuse: Bring your own reusable bags (#BYOBSF) to the store and opt for paper instead of plastic.
• Recycle at Drop Off Locations: End markets are still available for “clean” plastic bags and film. Drop them off at participating grocery stores and other retailers with collection bins.
BEYOND THE BIN
Not Everything Belongs in the Bin…
Many waste diversion programs work together to keep materials out the landfill.
The Single Stream recycling bin is just one of these programs.
A Little Effort Goes a Long Way
It may take a little extra work to get your items to the right place, but when you do, you support our local economy, extend the life of the landfill, and help our world be more sustainable.
TOOLKIT
Use these tools to be a #BINfluencer and spread recycling education in our community
FACTS TO SHARE
VIDEOS TO SHARE
MEMES TO SHARE
HAVE A QUESTION?
If you have a question on how to properly recycle or dispose of something in Sioux Falls, or if you have an idea on how to be a better #BINfluencer, let us know! We’re here to help!
Be a #BINfluencer
Waste Diversion is one of the simplest, fastest, least expensive, and most impactful strategies available for combating climate change.
Decreasing the demand for natural resources, preventing toxic pollution from incineration and landfilling, and conserving energy are just a few ways that waste diversion supports a stable climate and a healthy, resilient environment.
Learn more about the original #BINfluencers:
