Recycling rules are constantly changing as haulers cut back on what they'll accept in response to global demands for less contaminated material.
That's why it's important to know what you can leave out at the curb — and what you can't — and what materials need to be taken to a private recycling company.
The city of Erie, which provides residents with an annual recycling guide and calendar, accepts the following items:
Paper
Newspaper, office paper, magazines and other recyclable paper should be placed in a clear plastic bag or blue bin. Junk mail larger than 2-inches by 2-inches, including envelopes without plastic windows, are also accepted. Shredded paper should be placed in a separate clear bag.
Cardboard and paperboard
Flatten these items so they take up less space in the recycling trucks, according to the city. Also, remove any other packaging material, such as tape and plastic wrap. Boxes larger than 4 feet should be broken down to smaller pieces.
Bottles, jugs and jars
Plastic bottles, jugs and jars with a screw-top lid that are plastic types Nos. 1 and 2 are accepted. These include water bottles and laundry detergent containers. Bottle caps for these items and other types of plastics should be disposed of with the trash. The city's recycling vendor only accepts Nos. 1 and 2 plastics. Plastic bags are among those types of plastics that are not being accepted because of their tendency to jam recycling machines. Instead, take those bags to a local grocery store with a recycling program.
Metal food and beverage containers
Steel or tin food containers or aluminum cans should be placed in a clear bag or blue bin.
What's not recyclable at the curbside
In addition to plastic bags and other types of plastics, including toys, cups or tubs, the city does not accept any items contaminated by food, Styrofoam, glass, medical waste such as prescription drug bottles or the medication itself, chemical or household hazardous waste and large appliances.
Glass can be recycled at private companies such as Prism Glass Recycling, which has various recycling sites throughout Erie County, or Bayfront Glass LLC, 1310 East Ave.
Glass collection:Prism, a new public-private company, will collect glass in Erie County for recycling
More:Bayfront Glass, on Erie's east side, has clear goals as a business and public service
City residents who want to dispose of tires or electronics can do so at a special recycling event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 7 at the City of Erie Municipal Garage Complex, 1926 Holland Street. Residents must show photo ID at the drive-thru and drop-off event.
The Erie County Recycling Program also holds monthly household hazardous waste and electronics collection events at different locations throughout the county. Those events are by appointment only.
For more details about those events, or for recycling rules for residents living outside the city of Erie, go to bit.ly/3G4OH1n.