We understand recycling can be confusing. We want to make recycling as easy
for you as possible. Below you will find a list of what we can accept as
recyclables, both curbside and at the Tacoma Recycle Center. If you have further
questions please contact us.
Recycle Center is Reopened
As of October 4, 2016, the Recycle Center at the Tacoma Recovery &
Transfer Center, 3510 S. Mullen, is open and operating at full capacity in its permanent location. We appreciate your support during the project and look forward to serving you at the Recycle Center.
What We Collect Curbside
Residential
Plastics, Paper, Aluminum and Cardboard
Recyclables that go into the blue bin do not need to be separated. These items
may also be dropped off at the
Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center.
Please rinse out bottles, jugs, jars, tubs, cans and other items that might have
food residue. If items not on the acceptable list are placed in your recycling
container, you may be charged a $15 fee because the entire container must be
dumped as garbage to avoid contamination of our recyclable material. Repeated
instances of contamination may result in a charge on your utility bill and/or
removal of your container.
Plastics
- Bags: grocery, department store, dry cleaning - put into one bag and
tie at the top
- Bottles: pop, water, juice, shampoo, etc.
- Jars: peanut butter, jam, mayonnaise, etc.
- Jugs: milk, laundry/dish detergent, etc.
- Tubs: yogurt, margarine, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc. Remove caps and
lids from all bottles/containers and place in the garbage
Paper
- Bags
- Egg cartons (no Styrofoam)
- Gift wrap: non-metallic (no bows/ribbons)
- Junk mail - learn how to reduce your junk mail
- Newspaper, magazines, catalogs
- Office and computer paper
- Shredded paper strips - place inside paper bag
- Paper boxes: dry foods, pop, toothpaste, etc.
- Remove liners and place in the garbage
- Paper towel/toilet paper rolls
Aluminum and Tin
- Aerosol cans (empty) (If there’s still product left in the can,
it may be considered hazardous waste and should be taken to the Household
Hazardous Waste Facility.)
- Aluminum and tin cans
- Aluminum foil and trays (clean)
Boxes and Cardboard
- Corrugated cardboard
- Frozen food boxes
- Ice cream cartons
- Milk & juice cartons
- Large amounts of cardboard that can’t fit inside your container may be
disposed of at the Recycling Center free of charge.
Glass, Batteries and Hazardous Materials are Disposed of Separately
Commercial
Recyclables do not need to be separated.
Tacoma businesses and multifamily residences produce nearly 50 percent of the
total solid waste generated in the City.
To help lower the amount of waste, the City offers a curbside recycling program
for businesses and multifamily residences:
- Mixed recycling
- Glass recycling
- Corrugated cardboard recycling
- Construction/demolition recycling & drop-off box recycling
How to Get Started
- Set up service by calling Solid Waste Management to schedule a free, on-site
consultation at (253) 502-2100 or view our
rates and fees.
- We will help you determine the type of service you need
- Container size and storage
- Container signage and posters
- Waste prevention/reduction tips and special waste disposal options
- Select your coordinator to help educate employees and tenants.
- Start collecting recyclables.
Plastics
- Bags: grocery, department store, dry cleaning - put into one bag and
tie at the top
- Bottles: pop, water, juice, shampoo, etc.
- Jars: peanut butter, jam, mayonnaise, etc.
- Jugs: milk, laundry/dish detergent, etc.
- Tubs: yogurt, margarine, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc. Remove caps and
lids from all bottles/containers and place in the garbage
Paper
- Bags
- Egg cartons (no Styrofoam)
- Gift wrap: non-metallic (no bows/ribbons)
- Junk mail - learn how to reduce your junk mail
- Newspaper, magazines, catalogs
- Office and computer paper
- Shredded paper strips - place inside paper bag
- Paper boxes: dry foods, pop, toothpaste, etc.
- Remove liners and place in the garbage
- Paper towel/toilet paper rolls
Aluminum and Tin
- Aerosol cans (empty) (If there’s still product left in the can,
it may be considered hazardous waste and should be taken to the Household
Hazardous Waste Facility.)
- Aluminum and tin cans
- Aluminum foil and trays (clean)
Boxes and Cardboard
- Corrugated cardboard
- Frozen food boxes
- Ice cream cartons
- Milk & juice cartons
- Large amounts of cardboard that can’t fit inside your container may be
disposed of at the Recycling Center free of charge.
What We Accept At The Recycle Center
Recyclables must be separated.
Metal Items
- Scrap metal (small items)
- Aluminum cans, clean foil and aluminum trays
- Tin cans and empty aerosol cans
Glass Bottles
- Green & blue glass bottles and jars
- Brown bottles and jars
- Clear bottles and jars
Plastics
- #3-7 Plastic tubs and jars
- #2 Solid colored plastic bottles and jugs
- #2 Clear/cloudy jugs (milk jugs)
- #1 Pop, juice and water bottles
- Plastic bags and bubble wrap
- Styrofoam (only clean, white packing Styrofoam. No food containers)
Cardboard and Paper Items
- Corrugated cardboard
- Books for charity
- Newspaper
- Magazines and catalogs
- Mixed paper and phone books
Batteries and Other Items
- Household alkaline batteries
- NiCad, LiIon and other rechargeable batteries
- Cell phones, phone batteries, chargers
- Printer and toner cartridges
- Used motor oil
- Packing peanuts
Electronics
The City of Tacoma partners with
E-Cycle Washington to provide free recycling options for electronics. These items may be dropped off at the Goodwill Donation Station at the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center:
- Televisions
- Computers and monitors
- Tablets and e-readers
- Portable DVD players
Cell phones, batteries and chargers can be recycled for free at the
Tacoma Recycling Center and
Tacoma Municipal Building.
Download the Recycling Guide