What Can I Recycle?
Find out what items can be recycled and how to prepare them properly. Browse 13+ categories with 94+ materials.
Can I Recycle This?
Get instant answers about recyclability
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Automotive
Car parts, tires, batteries, fluids, and automotive components that can be recycled or require special disposal.
15 items covered
Car BatteriesMotor OilTiresAntifreeze/CoolantBrake FluidCatalytic Converters+9 more
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Batteries
Battery recycling market growing to $24B by 2032. Lead-acid batteries: 97% recycling rate. Lithium-ion targets: 90% cobalt/nickel, 80% lithium by 2032 (EU). Find battery drop-off locations.
8 items covered
Alkaline BatteriesLithium-Ion BatteriesButton Cell BatteriesRechargeable Batteries (NiMH)Lead-Acid Batteries (Small)Nickel-Cadmium Batteries+2 more
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EV Batteries
Electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries, battery packs, and components. High-value materials requiring specialized recycling facilities.
6 items covered
EV Lithium-Ion BatteriesEV Battery ModulesEV Battery CellsEV Battery Management SystemsEV Battery Thermal ManagementEV Battery Enclosures
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Construction
Building materials like concrete, wood, metal, drywall, and other construction and demolition waste.
14 items covered
ConcreteDrywallWood/LumberAsphalt ShinglesMetal RoofingInsulation+8 more
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Electronics
Americans dump 300-400 million electronics yearly. Less than 20% recycled. E-waste is 2% of trash but 70% of toxic waste. Find e-waste recycling centers and safe disposal methods.
16 items covered
SmartphonesComputersCRT Monitors/TVsFlat Screen TVsPrintersGaming Consoles+10 more
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Metal
Aluminum can recycling fell to 43% (2023) - 61 billion cans landfilled worth $1.2B. Metals are infinitely recyclable. Find scrap metal prices and recycling locations.
11 items covered
Aluminum CansSteel Cans#1 Copper Solid#2 Copper WireAluminum SidingStainless Steel+5 more
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Hazardous
Chemicals, paints, pesticides, and other dangerous materials requiring special disposal methods.
15 items covered
PaintPesticidesHousehold CleanersPool ChemicalsPropane TanksAerosol Cans+9 more
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Household
Common household items like furniture, appliances, textiles, and everyday objects.
20 items covered
LED Light BulbsFluorescent BulbsMattressesFurnitureTextiles/ClothingSmall Appliances+14 more
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Glass
Glass recycling rate is 31-33% in US. 12.3 million tons generated yearly. Glass is infinitely recyclable but color sorting and contamination create challenges. Find bottle return locations.
8 items covered
Glass BottlesGlass JarsWindow GlassLight Bulbs (Incandescent)Drinking GlassesMirrors+2 more
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Organic Waste
Food scraps, yard waste, and other biodegradable materials suitable for composting.
8 items covered
Food ScrapsYard WasteChristmas TreesWood AshManureSawdust+2 more
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Paper
Paper and cardboard achieve 60-74% recycling rates in the US (2024). 125,000 tons of paper recycled daily. Learn accepted paper types and avoid contamination.
10 items covered
CardboardNewspapersOffice PaperMagazinesPhone BooksPaper Bags+4 more
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Plastic
Plastic recycling varies by type (PET, HDPE, PP, etc.). Only 9% of plastic waste gets recycled globally. Learn which plastics your area accepts and proper preparation methods.
10 items covered
PET Bottles (#1)HDPE Containers (#2)PVC Pipes (#3)Plastic Bags (#4)Polypropylene Containers (#5)Polystyrene Foam (#6)+4 more
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Textiles
Americans generate 17 million tons of textile waste yearly - 66% goes to landfills. Only 15% is recycled. Learn how to donate, recycle clothing, and combat fast fashion waste.
10 items covered
Cotton Clothing & T-ShirtsDenim & JeansAthletic Shoes & SneakersBed Linens & TowelsWool Clothing & BlanketsSynthetic Fabrics & Activewear+4 more
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Appliances
Large and small household appliances containing valuable metals and components.
4 items covered
RefrigeratorsWashing MachinesMicrowavesDishwashers
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Lighting
LEDs, CFLs, and fluorescent tubes that require special handling and recycling.
10 items covered
LED BulbsCFL BulbsFluorescent TubesHalogen BulbsIncandescent BulbsHigh-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps+4 more
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Wood
Untreated lumber, pallets, and clean wood offcuts that can be reused or recycled.
7 items covered
Hardwood FlooringPlywood & OSBWood PalletsUntreated Scrap WoodEngineered Wood ProductsWood Chips & Sawdust+1 more
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Packaging
Cardboard, cartons, padded mailers, and other packaging materials with varied recyclability.
4 items covered
Corrugated Cardboard BoxesAseptic Cartons (Tetra Pak)Padded Mailers (Paper)Bubble Mailers (Plastic)
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Medical & Pharmaceuticals
Medications, sharps, and medical devices requiring strict, safe disposal or specialized recycling.
21 items covered
Unused MedicationsSharps (Needles & Syringes)IV Bags and TubingProsthetics and Medical ImplantsX-ray FilmsMedical Plastics+15 more
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Yard Waste
Leaves, branches, grass clippings, and other green waste suitable for composting or mulching.
3 items covered
LeavesGrass ClippingsTree Branches
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Industrial/Manufacturing Waste
Manufacturing byproducts, industrial chemicals, machinery, and specialized equipment requiring proper disposal and recycling.
10 items covered
Machining Coolant & Cutting FluidsIndustrial Solvents & DegreasersIndustrial Batteries & Power SystemsCNC Machine Tools & Cutting ToolsIndustrial Plastic Resin WasteIndustrial Adhesives & Sealants+4 more
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Furniture
Household and office furniture including wood, upholstered, and metal pieces that can be donated, reused, or recycled responsibly.
8 items covered
Wooden FurnitureUpholstered FurnitureMattressesMetal FurnitureGlass FurnitureOffice Furniture+2 more
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Sports & Recreation
Athletic equipment, sports gear, exercise equipment, and recreational items that can be recycled, donated, or repurposed through specialized programs.
16 items covered
Athletic Shoes & SneakersSports BallsExercise EquipmentBicycles & Bike PartsCamping & Outdoor GearSports Helmets & Protective Gear+10 more
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Mattress & Bedding
Mattresses, pillows, bed frames, and bedding materials. Contains valuable recyclable components including steel springs, foam, and textiles that require specialized processing.
8 items covered
Memory Foam MattressesInnerspring MattressesPillows & CushionsBed Frames & HeadboardsComforters & DuvetsBed Sheets & Linens+2 more
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Food Waste
America wastes 60 million tons of food yearly (30-40% of supply) - only 5% is composted. Food waste causes 58% of landfill methane. Learn composting, collection programs, and waste reduction.
6 items covered
Fruit & Vegetable ScrapsCoffee Grounds & Tea BagsPlate Scrapings & LeftoversEggshellsBread & Baked GoodsFood-Soiled Paper & Cardboard
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Cryptocurrency & Mining Equipment
Bitcoin mining hardware, GPUs, ASICs, and cryptocurrency-related electronics that contain valuable metals and require specialized e-waste recycling.
3 items covered
ASIC Bitcoin MinersGPU Mining Graphics CardsMining Power Supply Units (PSUs)
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Pet & Animal Supplies
Pet food containers, animal bedding, toys, accessories, and veterinary supplies that can be recycled, composted, or donated through specialized pet supply programs.
5 items covered
Pet Food Containers & BagsPet ToysPet Beds & BlanketsPet Carriers & CratesCollars, Leashes & Harnesses
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Tools & Calculators
Recycling Volume to Weight Estimator
Estimate the weight of common recyclables to visualize your impact.
Business Recycling ROI Calculator
Estimate the financial ROI of your recycling program.
Personal Carbon Footprint Calculator
See your environmental impact from recycling.
Waste Diversion Rate Calculator
Track the percentage of waste diverted from landfill.
Personal Recycling Savings Calculator
Estimate how much you can save by recycling.
Scrap Metal Value Calculator
Estimate the value of your scrap metals before selling.
Working With Local Contractors
Large recycling jobs — driveway removal, patio demo, or a kitchen tear-out — usually start with the contractor doing the work. A good contractor will route concrete, brick, and clean fill to the right recycling facility instead of a landfill. In the DMV area, for example, Maryland hardscape and concrete contractor Site Doctor handles concrete recycling on hardscape projects in Silver Spring and surrounding Montgomery County neighborhoods. If you're hiring out a project, ask up front how the demolition material will be handled — it's an easy way to keep tons of debris out of landfills.