What do you mean, “Recycle Right”?

What is that tag?

Why wasn’t my recycling picked up?

Gaithersburg’s convenient single stream recycling program relies on three key factors:

1. An efficient way to collect materials
2. A way to sort them
3. A market that will buy them

Without all three factors being met, items should not be placed in your green recycle bin. When materials that are not recyclable are in your bin, they contaminate the entire load. Contaminated recycling makes the process of collecting and sorting materials more costly, and the markets are less likely to purchase “dirty” or “contaminated” recycling. That’s why it’s important to make sure what you’re putting in the bin is appropriate. When in doubt, please look the item up on the Recycle Coach app, or just throw it out.

Stopping contamination at the source is Recycling Right!

Our contractors work with us to make sure our recycling is clean and the material we collect actually gets recycled. Before our crews dump your bin into the truck, they do a visual inspection for common contaminates (Styrofoam, plastic bags, etc.). If they see something that is not recyclable, your bin will be tagged and the material cannot be collected. To correct the issue, please remove the contaminated material. Your recycling will then be picked up on your next collection day. If your bin is getting full, feel free to put excess material in an open cardboard box and place it next to your bin. Plastic bags are NOT accepted. Do not use them for materials to be recycled.

Thank you for your doing your part!

RECYCLE RIGHT

Click the buttons below to learn more about items we accept & guidelines on how to prepare your collection.