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Recycling

Show All Answers

1. What can I put in my curbside recycling can?

Clean and dry paper, cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, and plastic bottles.

1. Plastic bottles with necks:
   • Detergent bottles
   • Water bottles
   • Milk jugs
2. Aluminum and Tin Cans
   • Dog food
   • Canned food
   • Soda cans
3. Cardboard
   • Cardboard boxes
   • Cereal boxes
   • Gift boxes
4. Mixed paper
   • Newspaper
   • Junk mail
   • Magazines

For additional information, download and/or print the recycling guide (PNG).

2. What paper and cardboard items can I recycle in my curbside can?

Acceptable Paper & Cardboard Items

• Newspaper, including inserts (remove plastic sleeves)
• Cardboard (No Waxed Cardboard)
• Kraft (brown paper) bags
• Magazines, Catalogs, and Telephone Books
• Office & Computer paper, notebook, school, and gift wrap (no metal clips, spirals, ring binders)
• Chipboard (cereal, cake, food, gift boxes, etc.)
• Carrier Stock (soda, beer can carrying cases)
• Junk Mail and Envelopes (no plastic cards, stick-on labels)
• Paperback and Hard Cover Books
• Wrapping paper (no ribbon, glitter, or foil)
• Paper towel and toilet paper cardboard cores

If you have large amounts of paper to recycle and want to ensure it gets recycled, a great way to do this is to drop off the paper at the recycling locations in the link above and Green Fiber, a local company will collect the clean paper and recycle it into insulation. Please note, we do not accept shredded paper in the curbside bin, but Green Fiber does accept it if it’s contained in a box or paper bag.

Where to Take Paper Recyclables

View Paper Recycling Drop-Off Locations (PDF).

3. What types of plastic can a recycle in my curbside can?

Any plastic bottle with a neck - as long as it is clean and dry – can be recycled regardless of the number or chasing arrows. Other plastics generally are not recyclable in your curbside bin.

4. When recycling plastic bottles, should I keep the lid on or off?

Leave it on and it will get recycled. If you take it off, throw the lid away as it’s too small to get recycled.

5. When recycling plastics, why not use the recycling numbers 1 through 7?

The reason why we shy away from advertising plastic numbers is because the shape of the container is the most important. Some items have the same number, but some are recyclable and others are not. This is because, while the same type of plastic, flimsier material isn’t recyclable currently.

6. Why can't plastic sheeting or small plastic items be picked up for recycling?

The bottom line is that recycling facilities are designed with larger items in mind, such as bottles and jugs, cans, paper, and cardboard. Plastic bags get tangled in the machinery and small items fall through the gaps between belts and gears at various stages of sorting. Small items can also simply blow away.

7. Where can I take my plastic sheeting and grocery store bags to be recycled?

Most grocery stores have a drop-off for recycling of their plastic bags and plastic sheeting. Check with your local grocery store before bringing your plastics in.

8. Can plastic pill bottles be recycled?

If it has a neck, yes! Those are typically the larger white or orange pill bottles.

9. Where can I drop off glass recycling?

The City of South Jordan offers Glass Recycling Service for all City residents and businesses. The City has partnered with Momentum Recycling, ACE Disposal and Live Daybreak, to provide a service that will help our community, and the environment. The ability to keep glass out of the landfill is a long-term benefit and solution in trying to build a better tomorrow.

The City does not allow glass in curbside recycling because the main recycling facilities in the area aren’t equipped to handle glass. We are able to coordinate drop-off locations using a third-party recycler.

The City has provided a few Glass Recycling Drop-Off Locations (PDF) for your convenience.

10. What is the pick up day for my recycling?

Ace Disposal will collect garbage and recyclables on the same day each week, except holidays. To ensure pickup, residents should place garbage and recycling containers curbside the night before or by 6:30 am on the morning of pickup.

View the collection routes (PDF) to find your pickup day.

11. Which holidays will delay collection of my recycle can?

Collection for the following holidays will be delayed by one day and for all days remaining in that week:

• New Year’s Day
• Independence Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

12. Should I rinse my recyclables?

The 3 golden rules of recycling are empty, clean, and dry.

That said, a quick rinse will suffice with most containers. Make sure they are drained of any liquids and scraped free of any food left in containers. We recommend rinsing with dirty dishwater to conserve water when additional rinsing is necessary.

13. Do I need to take labels off my cans?

No, there is no need to detach the can label; just make sure any gobs of food are cleaned out of the can and toss it in your recycling bin.

14. Are napkins and paper towels recyclable?

No, paper products such as paper towels, napkins, tissue paper, and toilet paper are not recyclable. The paper fibers used to create these products are too small to be recycled again, and most are contaminated by food.

15. Can I recycle my pizza box?

If the top of the box is clean of grease, cheese, sauce, or other food residue, you can tear the top off and recycle it. The bottom should be thrown in the garbage. If you’re in any doubt as to whether the top is clean enough, throw it out.

16. Can I recycle my plastic grocery bags?

Plastic grocery bags are recyclable, but not in your curbside recycling bin. The best way to recycle grocery bags and other plastic film is to take it back to the grocery store with you and place it in the bag-recycling box provided. Many grocery stores will accept other types of ‘plastic film’ as well - including clean and dry number 2 and number 4 plastic film such as dry cleaner bags, newspaper bags, bread bags, Ziploc bags, bubble wrap, and more - so check with a manager at your store today to see what they’re accepting!

17. Where can I take my TV and electronics (E-waste)?

E-Waste includes almost anything with a circuit board, such as:

• Computers
• TVs
• Audio Equipment
• Cell Phones

Please check the most current information and location before recycling E-waste.

18. Where do I take household hazardous waste?

Disposal of hazardous waste is free to Salt Lake County residents at the TransJordan Landfill at:
10473 South Bacchus Highway
South Jordan, UT 84009

Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste includes:

• Antifreeze
• Lithium Batteries
• Fluorescent Light Tubes
• Fuels
• Gasoline
• Oils
• Paint
• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• Fertilizers
• Other Chemicals

19. Where I can recycle old tires?

TransJordan accepts up to 4 tires a visit, at $2 per tire.

Other Options

• Most local tire shops will accept your tires for a fee.
• Liberty Tire Recycling accepts tires for recycling. They can be contacted at 801-364-7900 and are located at:
  1398 N Beck Street
  Salt Lake City, UT 84116
• The Salt Lake Valley Landfill also accepts tires for recycling, but can only accept four tires per vehicle load. As of August 28th, 2018, there is a $2 per tire charge, or $3 per tire with rim charge.

20. Where can I drop off bulk recycling?

Bulk recycling can be dropped off at nearby recycling centers with separate bins for cardboard, metal and plastic containers, paper, glass, and clothing donations.

You can also drop off glass at our nearby glass drop-off locations in South Jordan.

21. Where can I recycle fluorescent light bulbs?

Select county libraries accept fluorescent tubes (up to four feet) and bulbs only. Check the County’s Hard To Recycle Materials webpage to learn which libraries accept them.

Ballasts, any size light tube, and bulbs can be brought to the Health Department’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facilities at the Salt Lake Valley or Trans-Jordan landfills.

22. Where can I recycle my mattress?

Mattresses can be recycled through Spring Back Utah, located at:
1989 S 4130 W
Suite C
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Phone: 801-906-8146

Mattresses can also be brought to the Salt Lake Valley Landfill for a fee of $15 per unit, located at:
6030 W California Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84104

23. How can I recycle my refrigerator?

The TransJordan Landfill accepts fridges and freezers for a $20 fee. Freon must be removed in advance.

24. Why doesn't the City recycle green waste?

Currently, the Trans-Jordan Landfill does not sell all the compost it converts from the green waste it receives. For this reason, were South Jordan to offer curbside green waste pickup, the material would probably not be recycled into compost; rather it would be dumped into the landfill.

Additionally, residents would pay a higher monthly fee for curbside service green waste pickup, as a third truck (after garbage and recycle trucks) would be required to pick up the green waste. A third truck increases the carbon footprint of curbside services and creates more wear on the road which both should be considered when making a decision.

City staff evaluates potential green waste services on a regular basis to determine if changes make both economic and environmental sense.

25. What is this tag (Nice Job, Oops, and Uh-Oh) on my recycling can?

The City is doing audits of recycling cans to educate residents on what they're doing right and what can improve. These audits will be done on your neighborhood's garbage day. You can receive one of three tags:

• Nice Job- This tag means you are following the guidelines and doing a great job with recycling! Well done!
  • Front Tag (PNG)
  • Back Tag (JPG)
• Oops- This tag means, you mostly have recyclable items in your can, but there are a few items that don't belong and should go in the garbage can.
  • Front Tag (JPG)
  • Back Tag (JPG)
• Uh-Oh- This tag means that not much in your recyclable can is actually recyclable. These cans will be left on the curb until the items are in the appropriate can.
  • Front Tag (JPG)
  • Back Tag (JPG)

26. Are fast food drink cups recyclable?

No, they typically have a waxy coating that makes it so they cannot be recycled. The lids and straws are also not recyclable.

27. Why does what can be recycled change?

Recycling is complicated - it is heavily influenced by economics, foreign recycling markets, and technology. We know our residents want to do what is right when it comes to recycling. So, we’re doing everything we can to educate you when changes happen. Really, if you try your best, you are making a difference and helping us reduce what goes to the landfill.

Please take a moment to watch the Why Does What We Can Recycle Change? video to learn more about why what we recycle changes.