Recycling General Information

Quick Reference Postcard

Click on the headline above for a quick reference postcard of what can be recycled in Omaha's green bin.

Recycling Bins are Available for Pick Up

Recycling bins are free, and may be picked up from one of four locations. Click here for a listing of locations.

Omaha uses single-stream recycling collection. Packer trucks, commonly called garbage trucks, with large yellow RECYCLING signs on the side and back, collect and transport recyclables to an indoor, semi-automated sorting facility. Please set out your green bin every time you have recyclables for collection. Recycling crews look for the green bin to identify that there are recyclables for pick up. There are city ordinances that regulate how garbage, yardwaste and recyclables are to be prepared for collection. The two sections of the Omaha Municipal Code that relate to solid waste are available as Acrobat documents through the following two links Chapter 33, ARTICLE II, Division 1, Section 33, Items 21-30 and Chapter 33, ARTICLE II, Division 2, Section 33, Items 41-49. The ordinances also speak to the ownership of material in recycling bins placed at the curb.

A brochure (an Adobe^® Acrobat^® file) with this page's information is available by clicking here.

Recycling Collection Tips

• Write your address on the bin using a permanent marker so it can be returned if lost.
• Remove snap top lids and screw on caps from all containers and place in garbage.
• Do not include: plastic bags, Styrofoam^®, motor oil bottles, syringes, pizza boxes or glass of any kind.
• Remove bin from curb as soon as possible after collection.

A decal with recycling reminders is available that you can apply to your recycling bin or another convenient surface. Call 444-4500 to request a decal.

In Omaha, you can recycle these items in your green recycling bin:

All Clean Paper In a Paper Sack or Small Cardboard Box   Do not use plastic bags   Includes: Most all clean paper. Things like: Magazines Catalogues Phonebooks Newspaper Cereal Boxes Junkmail Detergent Boxes Greeting Cards Wrapping Paper Paper Books School Paper Paper Egg Cartons Lay sack or box either inside bin, on top of bin, or next to your bin with opening facing away from wind.   NO! Do not include: Any soiled paper or these non-recyclable items. Pizza Boxes Juice Boxes Milk Cartons Hardbound Books Tissue Paper Paper Plates Styrofoam Rubber Bands Plastic Bags

Containers Place containers loose in the bin   Not in plastic bags or paper bags   Remove lids or caps and throw in garbage.   Plastic bottles marked PETE , including: Bottles that held pop, cooking oil, mouthwash, shampoo or cleaners.   NO! PETE not included: frozen food trays, plastic cups, toys or cookie trays.   Plastic bottles and tubs marked HDPE , including: bottles and tubs that held milk, juice, cleaners, margarine, whipped topping, or yogurt.   NO! HDPE not included: motor oil or auto product bottles, lawn chemical bottles, toys or cookie trays.   Plastic bottles and tubs marked V , including: bottles and containers made of clear hard plastic usually used to hold small electronics. These are the packages that must be cut open and are referred to as "blister packs."   Plastic bottles and tubs marked PP , including: bottles and tubs that held margarine, whipped topping, yogurt, or cleaners. Also includes reusable/disposable food storage containers.   Aluminum cans & Steel (tin) cans, including: empty aerosol cans, empty and dry paint cans. Tip: Place end (lid) of food cans inside can and crimp closed.   Corrugated cardboard. Flatten. Place on ground under bin or fold and stuff multiple boxes into one box and set out next to bin.

Recycling detail pages:

• Plastic
• Paper
• Metal Cans

A Word About Glass

Glass is not collected from the green recycling bins. Glass is recyclable if you take it to a drop-off site. More information is available about drop-off sites by clicking here. And more information specific about glass, click here.

Remember:

• Place all materials at your collection point by 6am.
• Leave a couple feet of space between recyclables and garbage containers (and yardwaste when in season).

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