It’s never been easier to recycle than with curbside commingled (mixed) recycling: you put your recyclables in the cart and your trash service provider picks it up for you.
What goes in my curbside cart and what stays out?
Click the material below for examples. Or read the guide from our local garbage service providers.
A few tips:
- Keep your recyclables clean, dry, and loose (not bagged)
- The chasing arrows symbol does NOT MEAN something is recyclable
- Containers should be 6oz or larger
Yes! Put it in the comingled cart:
- Bottles (shampoo, soda, mouth smaller than body)
- Tubs (yogurt, cottage cheese)
- Jugs (laundry soap, milk jugs, containers with a handle)
- Nursery planter pots (4″ in diameter or larger)
- Plastic buckets up to 5 gallons
No! Please put these in the trash:
- Clamshells
- Take out containers
- Cups (all sizes, all colors — red solo cups, small water cups)
- Lids or caps of any kind
- Plastic wrap, bubble wrap, film, ziplocks, bread bags — take this stuff back to participating grocery stores (also, keep your recyclables loose — don’t bag them)
- Blister packaging or nearly any other kind of plastic packaging
- Styrofoam/polystyrene of any kind
- Any other kind of plastic (ex: tarps, tennis racket strings, nylons or plastic clothing, hangers)
Not sure? Keep it out!
A few tips:
- Keep your recyclables clean, dry, and loose (not bagged)
- The chasing arrows symbol does NOT MEAN something is recyclable
- Multi-layered packaging or paper is not recyclable in Deschutes County
Yes! Put it in the comingled cart:
- Printer paper
- Junk mail
- Paperboard (not lined)
- Cardboard (not lined or waxed)
No! Please put these in the trash:
- Coffee cups
- Photographs
- Receipts
- Any paper designed to hold wet items like: Coffee cups, Ice cream tubs, Frozen food packaging, Cartons, Tetrapaks (stock, soup, almond milk containers)
- Did I say coffee cups?
Not sure? Keep it out!
A few tips:
- Keep your recyclables clean, dry, and loose (not bagged)
- The chasing arrows symbol does NOT MEAN something is recyclable
- Containers should be 6oz or larger
Yes! Put it in the comingled cart:
- Aluminum cans and bottles such as:
- Tuna cans
- Soda and beer cans
- Metal beer bottles
- Soup cans
No! Keep it out of the cart.
- Scrap metal recycling can be dropped off at Schnitzer Steel or Knott Landfill’s Deschutes Recycling
- Electrical cords
What about metal lids?
Q: Can I recycle metal lids in my curbside cart?
A: Yes! But they need to be put securely inside another can. Tip– use pliers to bend the can closed so when you turn it upside down, the lids don’t fall out. For cans, you can also keep the lid attached by not going all the way around with the can opener.
Not sure? Keep it out!
Are you a visual learner?
Check out our how to recycle video:
Or are you an audio learner?
Have a listen to our segment all about recycling with Megan Sinclair of local Central Oregon station 107.7 the beat. Rethink Waste: Guest with Megan in the Morning!
The top 6 things you should know about curbside pick-up!
Recycling keeps materials that would have ended up in the garbage in the manufacturing loop, requiring fewer new raw materials to be used. Keep these things in mind so we can keep the recycling system well lubricated.
If you live in the city limits of Bend, Redmond, or Sisters and have curbside garbage service, you can recycle as well. If you live outside city limits or in La Pine or Sunriver, you can drop off your commingled recyclables at a transfer station or recycling center.
Contact your garbage service provider for more information.
A “wishful recycler” is someone who puts items in your cart even if you are unsure or if you think it’ll make the recycling system change. All it does is jam up the system.
In Deschutes County, we recycle bottles, tubs, and jugs, but do not refer to the number. The number inside of the chasing arrows symbol tells us what the material is made of, but does NOT mean the material is recyclable. Not sure? Ask us!
Clean and dry, please!
Dirty recyclables can contaminate clean recyclables. Please rinse your recyclables before putting them in the cart.
Put your loose (NOT bagged) recyclables into your curbside cart. Plastic bags and other plastic film of any kind is perhaps the worst of all contaminants.
Glass recycling is available (and collected separately) inside of Bend and Redmond city limits. Please do NOT put glass in your commingled bin.
Help close the recycling loop not just by recycling right, but also by buying materials made from recycled materials.
Recycling is most effective when we purchase products that are made from recycled materials. When purchasing, look for the recycle symbol that indicates the highest percentage of post-consumer recycled content whenever reasonable and available.
