What Can I Recycle?
What You Recycle Matters – Help Oregon Do It Right
Every item you correctly recycle helps create a cleaner, more circular economy for Oregon. Together, we can make a real impact by recycling right.
Select your language to download the statewide recycling guide in your language:
What Can I Recycle?
Help Oregon recycle better! Recycling only the items accepted by your community helps keep the system running smoothly, reduces the cost of recycling, and ensures that more materials are turned into new products.
Below is the base list that most Oregon communities recycle. Learn what items your community recycles using the tool below, and recycle with confidence:
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Plastic
Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs and rigid plant pots
Caps OK if screwed on. All items must be 2 inches by 2 inches or larger -
Metal
Aluminum and steel cans
Empty and dry -
Cardboard & Cartons
Flattened cardboard, packaging boxes, and food and beverage cartons
No food residue or frozen food boxes -
Paper
Newspaper, magazines, mail and paper bags
No paper towels or napkins -
Glass Bottles & Jars
Please place in a separate bin or drop-off at a collection point
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All items must be empty and dry
Pour liquids down the drain and, if possible, compost food waste. -
No Bagged Recyclables
Place recyclables directly into the bin, do not pre-bag.
Enter your Oregon address to see your recycling options:
What Can’t I Recycle?
Not sure what goes in your bin? Don’t guess! Use the recycling look-up tool or check with your local recycling program for clear guidance. When the wrong items end up in the recycling, they can damage equipment and ruin other recyclables.
Below are items that should NEVER go in your recycling bin. Keeping them out helps make recycling safer, cleaner, and more effective for everyone.
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Plastic bags and stretchy plastics
These items tangle in recycling equipment and cause accidents or injuries. Take these to a RecycleOn Center or find other options for recycling at Plasticfilmrecycling.org
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Batteries
Batteries can start fires at garbage and recycling facilities. Never put batteries inside your garbage or recycling cart. Find recycling options at The Battery Network
Some communities collect batteries curbside. Find out if yours does by checking the Local Recycling Directory page.
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Food and liquids
Dirty and wet containers can spoil other recyclables. Pour liquids down the drain and, if possible, compost food waste.
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Hoses, cords and wires
Items like these get caught in recycling machinery. Contact your recycling company or local government for recycling or disposal options.
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Non-recyclable plastics
Not all plastics can be recycled. Plastic utensils, straws, and clamshell containers are not accepted in your recycling bin. For now, put these in the garbage.
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Frozen food boxes
These boxes have a coating to protect them in the freezer that also reduces their recyclability. For now, put these in the garbage.
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Electronics
These items create safety hazards and need special handling. Visit Oregon E-Cycles to find recycling options near you.
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Clothing
Clothing should not be placed in your recycling bin as it can jam sorting equipment. Consider donating them.
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Diapers and medical waste
These items create unsafe conditions for recycling workers and should never be recycled. Contact your garbage company or local government for disposal options.
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Bagged recycling
Bagged recyclables don’t get opened at the sorting facility. Recycling can only be sorted if it’s loose. At a recycling sorting facility, staff won’t know whether a bag is filled with garbage or recycling.