Single Stream Recyclable Materials

Overview

As of July 1, 2018, the Town of Manchester has adopted the recycling education campaign organized by the State of Connecticut, What's IN, What's OUT, to supercede our previous recycling regulations. All materials listed on the What's IN, What's OUT campaign website as being eligible for recycling through the Town's automated curbside collection program under the "In The Bin" section are collected in our program. Anything not listed in this section is not collected for recycling. Please review the "What's IN, What's OUT" website for complete information on curbside recycling.


DO NOT BAG RECYCLING

 

Information below retained for Historical Purposes: On July 1, 2009, the Town of Manchester switched to an automated, bi-weekly, single-stream recycling program. The Town has distributed Blue Recycling Carts to qualifying Town homes that are served by the Town's curbside collections program. Manchester collects the following recyclable materials in the Blue Single-Stream Recycling Cart:

Please click on the above links for more information on each recyclable material, photos and specific preparation guidelines when applicable.

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Click here for Waste Data(XLSX, 294KB)

 

General Preparation Guidelines:

  • Absolutely NO PLASTIC BAGS, recyclable materials should be loose in the Blue Recycling Cart
  • Absolutely NO TRASH, trash goes in the Green Trash Cart
  • Absolutely NO SHREDDED PAPER, as of July 1, 2018
  • NO RIGID PLASTICS, delivery to the Transfer Station only as of July 1, 2018.
  • Cardboard and Paperboard should be flattened to conserve space
  • Food and Beverage containers should be rinsed clean, a thorough washing IS NOT required
  • Keep the Blue Recycling Cart lid closed to keep the recyclable materials dry
  • All recyclable materials should be placed loosely into the Blue Recycling Cart; do not bag recycling in any type of bag, paper OR plastic

Newspaper & Advertising Inserts

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  • Materials should be dry
  • Materials should be clean
  • Newspapers should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart
  • Anything paper included inside of newspapers (advertisements, flyer, etc.) can be recycled

Examples

  • Newspapers
  • Advertising Inserts
  • Weekly mailers
  • Program brochures
  • Catalogs

Do Not Include

  • No Wet Newspaper
  • No Soiled Newspapers
  • No Hardcover Books (Recycle at Transfer Station)
  • No Paperback Books (Recycle at Transfer Station)

Magazines & Catalogs

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  • Materials should be dry
  • Materials should be clean
  • Materials should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart

EXAMPLES:

  • Glossy Flyers
  • Glossy Printed Materials
  • Trade Journals
  • Other High-end Publications

Corrugated Cardboard and Paper Bags

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  • Materials should be flattened to conserve space inside cart
  • Materials should be dry
  • Materials should be clean (No grease, wax-coatings, etc.)
  • Cardboard should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart
  • Large quantities of cardboard can be recycled at the Transfer Station at No Charge
    (Proof of Residency is Required to use the Transfer Station)

EXAMPLES:

  • Shipping Boxes
  • Moving Boxes
  • Consumer Goods Packaging (Toys, Electronics, Appliances, etc.)
  • Clean Pizza Boxes (whole or partial)
  • Other Corrugated Boxes

DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • No Soiled or Greasy Pizza Boxes
  • No Soiled or Greasy Cardboard
  • No Waxed Cardboard
  • No Food Contaminated Cardboard
  • No Liquid Contaminated Cardboard
  • No food tainted items (used paper plates or boxes, paper towels or paper napkins)

Office Paper, File Folders

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  • Materials should be dry
  • Materials should be clean
  • Paper materials should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart
  • Staples, paperclips, plastic windows and self-stick labels are OK

EXAMPLES:

  • Booklets (remove metal spiral)
  • Brochures
  • Calendars
  • Envelopes (plastic windows OK)
  • Fax Paper
  • File Folders
  • Flyers
  • Graph Paper
  • Green Bar
  • Office and Copy Paper
  • Packing Paper
  • Paper Bags (brown and white)
  • Photocopies
  • Post-it Notes
  • Receipts
  • White and Colored Paper
  • Writing tablets

DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • No Shredded Paper at all as of 1/1/18
  • No Paper Tissue (Paper Towels, Napkins, Kleenex, etc.)
  • No Telephone Books (Recycle at Transfer Station)
  • No Hardcover Books (Recycle at Transfer Station)
  • No Paperback Books (Recycle at Transfer Station)
  • No Food Tainted Items (used paper plates or boxes, paper towels or paper napkins)
  • No Gift Wrap
  • No Greeting Cards
  • No Paper Cups or Plates
  • No Ice Cream Containers
  • No Take Out Food Containers

Paperboard and Boxboard

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Paperboard (Boxboard, Fiberboard, Food Boxes, etc.)

  • Materials should be flattened to conserve space inside recycling cart
  • Remove inner-plastic liners/wrappers
  • Materials should be dry
  • Materials should be clean
  • Paperboard should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart
  • Plastic windows are OK

EXAMPLES:

  • Food Boxes
  • Cereal Boxes
  • Cracker Boxes
  • Pasta Boxes
  • Shoe Boxes
  • Gift Boxes
  • Clean Pizza Boxes (whole or partial)
  • Paper Tubes
  • Beverage Packaging
  • Beer Cartons & paper Six-pack Holders
  • Other Paperboard Packaging (Consumer & Household Items, Office Supplies, etc.)

DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • No Soiled or Greasy Pizza Boxes
  • No Food Contaminated Paperboard
  • No Liquid Contaminated Paperboard
  • No Food Tainted Items (used paper plates or boxes, paper towels, napkins, cups etc.)
  • No Spiral Wound containers (premixed cookie dough, pringles cans, etc.)
  • No Ice Cream containers or any food packaging with wax film coating

Milk and Juice Cartons

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  • Cartons should be rinsed clean
  • Remove any caps or straws
  • Cartons should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart

EXAMPLES:

  • Milk
  • Juice
  • Creamer
  • Iced Tea
  • Egg Nog
  • Other Gable Topped Cartons

Juice Boxes and Aseptic Packaging

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  • Boxes should be empty of liquids
  • Remove any straws or caps
  • Boxes should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart

EXAMPLES:

  • Juice Boxes
  • Individual Milk Drink Boxes
  • Soup and Broth Cartons
  • Soy Milk Cartons
  • Rice Milk Cartons
  • Other Aseptic Packaging

Glass Food & Beverage Containers

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  • Containers should be rinsed clean
  • Containers should be dry
  • Remove any caps
  • Glass should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart
  • Labels are OK

EXAMPLES:

  • Pasta Sauce Jars
  • Jams and Jelly Jars
  • Mason Jars
  • Other Clear Glass Jars and Bottles
  • Soda and Pop Bottles
  • Juice Bottles
  • Wine Bottles
  • Liquor and Spirits Bottles
  • Beer Bottles

DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • No Light Bulbs
  • No Drinking Glasses
  • No Dining ware
  • No Ceramic Kitchen Plates
  • No Pyrex
  • No Mirrors
  • No Tiles
  • No Window Glass
  • No Opaque Glass
  • No Crystal
  • No Leaded Glass
  • No Auto Glass
  • No Clay Pots or other Ceramic Wares

#1 Plastic Containers

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#1 Plastic Food & Beverage Containers

  • Look for a #1 recycling arrow symbol
  • Containers should be rinsed clean
  • Containers should be dry
  • Labels are OK
  • With or without caps
  • Up to 3 liters in size OK
  • #1 plastic containers should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart

EXAMPLES:

  • Water Bottles
  • Soda and Pop Bottles
  • Sports Water Bottles
  • Juice Bottles
  • Cooking Oil Bottles
  • Mineral Water Bottles
  • Dish Detergent & Cleaning Agent Bottles
  • Other Beverage Containers with #1
  • Other Food Containers with a #1

DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • No Plastic Bags or Plastic Wrap (click here for plastic wrap recycling locations)
  • No LOOSE CAPS, affix caps to containers or dispose of as trash
  • No Hazardous Chemical Containers, even if they are #1 plastic
  • No Motor Oil or Antifreeze Bottles, even if they are #1 plastic
  • No Styrofoam, Styrofoam cups, containers & packaging peanuts
  • No Plastic plates, bowls & utensils
  • No Prescription bottles
  • No Plastic Toys or Sporting Goods
  • No Single-use coffee containers
  • No Water filters

#2 Plastic Containers

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#2 Plastic Food & Beverage Containers

  • Look for a #2 recycling arrow symbol Containers should be rinsed clean
  • Containers should be dry
  • Labels are OK Up to 2.5 gallons/6 liters in size OK
  • #2 plastic containers should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart

EXAMPLES:

  • Milk Jugs
  • Spring Water Jugs
  • Laundry Detergent Bottles
  • Bleach Bottles
  • Dish Detergent Bottles
  • Other Beverage Containers with #2
  • Other Food Containers with a #2

DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • No Plastic Bags or Plastic Wrap (click here for plastic wrap recycling locations)
  • No LOOSE CAPS, affix caps to containers or dispose of as trash
  • No Hazardous Chemical Containers, even if they are #2 plastic
  • No Motor Oil or Antifreeze Bottles, even if they are #2 plastic
  • No Styrofoam, Styrofoam cups, containers & packaging peanuts
  • No Plastic plates, bowls & utensils
  • No Prescription bottles
  • No Plastic Toys or Sporting Goods
  • No Single-use coffee containers
  • No Water filters

#3 - #7 Plastic Containers

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#3 - #7 Plastic Food, Beverage & Household Containers

  • Look for a #3, #4, #5, #6 or #7 recycling arrow symbol on container
  • Most items will be #5 Plastic
  • Containers should be rinsed clean
  • Containers should be dry
  • With or Without Lids attached
  • Labels are OK
  • Up to 3 gallons/10 liters in size
  • Plastic Flower Pots OK
  • #3 - #7 plastic containers should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart

EXAMPLES:

  • Yogurt Cups
  • Margarine, Butter, Cream Cheese Tubs
  • Takeout Food Containers and Trays
  • Rectangular Box Containers
  • Other Dairy Tubs and Cups
  • Plastic Single Use Caups (No Lids, No Straws)
  • Other Beverage Containers #3 - #7
  • Other Food Containers #3 - #7
  • Other household Containers #3 - #7, such as tupperware

DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • No Plastic Bags or Plastic Wrap (click here for plastic wrap recycling locations)
  • No LOOSE CAPS OR LIDS, affix caps to containers or dispose of as trash
  • No Styrofoam, Styrofoam cups, containers & packaging peanuts
  • No Plastic plates, bowls & utensils, plastic cup lids or plastic straws
  • No Prescription bottles
  • No Plastic Toys or Sporting Goods
  • No Single-use coffee containers
  • No Water filters

Metal Food & Beverage Containers

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  • Includes Steel, Tin and Bi-Metal
  • Containers should be rinsed clean
  • Containers should be dry up to 2.5 gallons/6 liters in size,
  • No. 10 metal size cans OK
  • Lids are OK
  • Labels are OK
  • Metal containers should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart

EXAMPLES:

  • Soup & Vegetable Cans
  • Juice Cans
  • Other Food Cans
  • Cookie Tins
  • Dog & Cat Food Cans
  • Bulk Size Vegetable Containers

DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • No Scrap Metal, regardless of size
    (Scrap Metal can be recycle at Transfer Station for No Charge, Proof of Residency Required)
  • No Auto Parts (Recycle at Transfer Station No Charge)
  • No Paint Cans (Empty Metal cans can be Recycled at Transfer Station as scrap metal,No Charge)
  • No Coat Hangers (Recycle at Transfer Station No Charge)
  • No Pots and Pans (Recycle at Transfer Station No Charge)
  • No Metal Tools (Recycle at Transfer Station No Charge)
  • No Batteries (Rechargeable Batteries can be Recycled at Transfer Station No Charge)
  • No Spiral Wound containers (mixed paper and metal (think pringles, cookie dough tubes, etc..))

Aluminum Containers

AluminumCansTrays.jpg

Aluminum Containers, Food Trays & Foils

  • Containers, Food Trays and Foils should be rinsed clean
  • Containers should be dry
  • Cans should be un-flattened and not crushed
  • Foil should be washed clean and folded flat
  • Aluminum containers, food trays and foils should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart

EXAMPLES:

  • Soda & Pop Cans
  • Beer Cans
  • Energy Drink Cans
  • Other Aluminum Containers
  • Take-out Food Trays
  • Pie Tins
  • Muffin Tins
  • Aluminum Foil - Clean

DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • No Food Contaminated Foil or Containers
  • No Foil Lid Tops from containers (Thin sealing lids that peel off)
  • No Aluminum Auto Parts (Recycle at Transfer Station No Charge)
  • No Scrap Metal (Recycle at Transfer Station No Charge)
  • No Paint Cans
  • No Coat Hangers
  • No Pots and Pans
  • No Metal Tools
  • No Batteries

Aerosol Cans

Aerosolarrows.jpg

  • Includes Food Grade Aerosols containers ONLY
  • Containers must be empty
  • Labels are OK
  • Aerosol cans should be placed loose into the Blue Recycling Cart

EXAMPLES:

  • Cooking Oil Spray
  • Shaving Cream
  • Other Food Sprays

DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • No Aerosol Deodorizers
  • No Aerosol Cleaners
  • No Aerosol Paint Cans
  • No Aerosol Automotive Products
  • No Hazardous Aerosol Containers (Pesticides, Chemicals, etc.)
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