RECYCLING: FAQs
Where do I place my carts on collecting days?
Answer: All carts must be placed either in the curb line or immediately adjacent to the curb line. If on-street parking is allowed on your side of the street, you may place your cart in the street with the wheels against the curb. This is the preferred location. If placing carts in the street will obstruct traffic, they should instead be placed at the end of your driveway or on the terrace within one foot the curb. In all cases, make sure the arrows on your cart’s lid point toward the street and your cart is at least three feet from any fixed objects such as mailboxes, trees, street lights or parked vehicles. Please leave a two to three foot gap between carts placed next to each other.
What items can NEVER be recycled?
Answer: Placing the wrong items in the recycling bin can contaminate an entire load, which means everything gets sent to the landfill. The following items should never be recycled.
- Plastic bags, including trash bags and grocery bags
- Food waste
- Yard waste
- Light bulbs, window or mirror glass
- Batteries
- Ceramics or dishes
- Electronics
- Wires or cords
- Clothing or textiles
- Paint
- Hazardous materials
- Construction waste
- Styrofoam
- Oil or oil containers of any kind
What items can I recycle?
Answer: The following items can be placed in the Green Recycling Bin as long as they are empty, clean, and dry:
- Flattened cardboard (Greasy pizza boxes can never be recycled)
- Paper including junk mail, newspaper, office paper, file folders, and magazines
- Cartons including plastic and paper milk and juice cartons
- Plastic bottles, jugs, and containers
- Aluminum and tin cans, foil, and pie tins
- Glass bottles and jars
Unsure if your item can be recycled, or if it is empty, clean, and dry enough? When in doubt, throw it out! Reducing contamination means more recyclables actually get recycled.
How do I recycle my old appliances?
Answer: Lorain County has multiple options for appliance recycling. View Appliance Recycling Centers (PDF)
What about batteries or hazardous waste?
Lorain County has options for safely disposing items such as batteries, hazard waste, paint, oil, and other special items. Visit the Lorain County Collection Center to learn more.