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PDD - Recycling and Solid Waste - Multifamily Recycling

Show All Answers

1. What should I do with bulky items?

Furniture or other reusable items such as tools or housewares in good condition can be donated to a variety of local organizations. Please see our resources list for more information. For items not suitable for donation and too large for the on-site garbage container, talk to your property manager about arranging for a pick-up from one of the City’s licensed haulers.

2. Where can I recycle electronics?

Please see our resources list for more information.

3. Where should I put hazardous waste?

Do not put hazardous waste in the garbage or recycling containers. Please see our resources list for more information on where to bring materials such as prescription drugs, non-alkaline batteries, and other hazardous wastes like motor oil.

4. Does Styrofoam go in the comingled recycling bin?

Styrofoam must be processed separately. Residents may be able to recycle a garbage bag full of Styrofoam at any St. Vincent de Paul store. You may access the following external link for more information: https://www.svdp.us/what-we-do/recycling-and-manufacturing/styrofoam-recycling/

5. Can I recycle compostable flatware such as a fork?

No. Plastic flatware, including compostable flatware, is not recyclable.

6. Do I need to pay attention to the symbol with the recycling number that appear on plastic items?

In addition to transparent plastic bottles, we are currently accepting #1 and #2 plastic jugs (such as for milk, vinegar, or bleach), plastic jars (such as mayonnaise jars, peanut butter, or Clorox wipes), and plastic bottles (like shampoo, hand soap, or spray cleaner) in the commingle recycling. This means that these plastics are now accepted for recycling if they are rinsed and lids and spray pumps are removed.  NO pill bottles or small (under the size of a tennis ball) plastic containers are accepted. 

For the most up-do-date information about what is currently recyclable, please visit https://www.eugene-or.gov/1470/Recycling.

7. What happens to our recycling after it’s picked up by the haulers?

After it is picked up, recycling is taken to be sorted and sold for processing.

8. Are plastic flower pots recyclable?

No. Unfortunately plastic flower pots and planters are not recyclable in our system. They are considered rigid plastics. However, local home improvement stores or plant nurseries might accept these for reuse.

9. Can lids of any kind go in the recycling?

No. Lids are not recyclable in our system—not even the metal lids from cans. They must go in the garbage, since their shape can cause malfunctions in the shape-based sorting machinery.

10. Can cardboard go in the mixed recycling bin?

Yes! Cardboard that is free of waxes or other finishes and completely free of all food or oil residue can go in your mixed recycling bin. However, any contaminated part is not recyclable.

11. Is rigid plastic, like the hard plastic packaging around electronics products, recyclable?

No. This rigid plastic, also known as “brittle plastic”, will contaminate our waste stream. This is true even if it has the recycling symbols and numbers on it.

12. Do all plastics with recycling numbers go in the mixed recycling?

In addition to transparent plastic bottles, we are currently accepting #1 and #2 plastic jugs (such as for milk, vinegar, or bleach), plastic jars (such as mayonnaise jars, peanut butter, or Clorox wipes), and plastic bottles (like shampoo, hand soap, or spray cleaner) in the commingle recycling. This means that these plastics are now accepted for recycling if they are rinsed and lids and spray pumps are removed.  NO pill bottles or small (under the size of a tennis ball) plastic containers are accepted. 

 For the most up-do-date information about what is currently recyclable, please visit https://www.eugene-or.gov/1470/Recycling.

13. Can plastic bags go in my recycle bin?

No. Plastic bags and other thin films damage processing machines and must be cut out by hand. Please help keep workers and our environment safe: Do not put plastic bags of any kind in the recycling, and do not bag your recycling. Many grocery stores offer free recycling at their locations. A location-finder tool is available here: https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/recycling-bags-and-wraps/find-drop-off-location/ 

14. Can clear clamshell containers go in my mixed recycling bin?

No. Clamshells, such as strawberry containers, are considered rigid plastics and are not recyclable in our system.

15. Why is contamination in recycling containers so bad?

When non-recyclable items are included in the recycling stream, this can cause equipment damage, worker safety hazards, and environmental damage when entire loads have to be diverted to the landfill.

16. Can leaves go in the recycling?

Yard debris, such as leaves, cannot go in the recycle bin and should be put in the yard waste bin.

17. How can I dispose of food waste in an environmentally friendly manner?

At this time, customers who have individual residential garbage service now have the option to put food waste in their yard debris bin instead of in the garbage.  For tenants of multifamily buildings that do not have access to individual garbage service, limited amounts and types of food waste may be collected and composted in a backyard composter, if one is available.