San Antonio

Recycling Guidelines

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

PLASTIC

Look for plastic items labeled #1 - #5.

  • Bath bottles- shampoo, mouthwash, lotion, soap, etc.
  • Bottles & Jugs- beverage, food, etc.
  • Bowls
  • Clean plastic bags- grocery bags, dry cleaner bags, and film plastics
  • Containers- fruit, baked good, etc.
  • Cups
  • Food trays
  • House bottles & jugs- cleaning supplies, detergent, etc.
  • Styrofoam food containers
  • Lids and caps can stay on plastic bottles
Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers
Plastic, single-serve to-go containers with no food residue

METAL

Look for tin, aluminum and other metal items

  • Aluminum drink cans
  • Aluminum baking tins
  • Steel or tin food cans and lids
  • Empty aerosol cans

Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans

PAPER

Look for Paper items

  • Books- telephone books and paperback books
  • Brown paper bags
  • Cardboard & chipboard- flattened moving boxes, food boxes, tissue boxes, shoe boxes, paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls
  • Mixed paper- computer paper, office paper, unwanted mail, flyers, notecards, newspaper, magazines, folders, wrapping paper

Paper can be recycled up to seven times, depending on the quality

Cardboard tubes from wrapping or toilet paper rolls

GLASS

Look for glass food jars and drink bottles

  • Beverage bottles & jars
  • Food bottles & jars
Bottles and jars (remove lids or caps)
Clean and dry your glass bottles

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

Doorstep Recycling Collection
Place acceptable recyclables in a securely tied, see-thru bag, separate from your trash and place in your bin, outside your front door with your scheduled trash collection.

When in Doubt – Toss it Out
Please do not place any unacceptable items in communal recycling containers or in your household recycling bags. Remember, if recycling contains “contaminants” (non-recyclable items or containers not properly cleaned), the whole batch may be rejected and sent to a land fill. When in doubt – best to toss it out!

What can NOT be recycled

  • Household trash
  • Aluminum foil
  • Appliances
  • Auto glass
  • Clothes
  • Clothes hangers
  • Computer cords
  • Diapers
  • Dead animals
  • Garden hoses
  • Hardcover books
  • Light bulbs
  • Toys
  • Plastic containers with hazardous materials
  • Shredded paper
  • Styrofoam packing or “peanuts”
  • Trash bags
  • Waxed paper and waxed food containers
  • Yard trimmings
  • Ceramics
  • Windows
  • Mirrors

Multifamily-specific highlights. Check with your municipality for the latest guidelines.

  • Property owners are required to fill out and submit a recycling plan to the city 
  • https://www.sanantonio.gov/swmd/Recycling/MultiFamily-Recycling
  • Property owners are required to complete and submit this form when any changes are made
  • The city provides property owners with a list of recycling contractors which you can view below
  • https://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/SWMD/MultiFamily/2014%20List%20of%20Recyling%20Contractors_02-2014.pdf
  • Property owners/managers must provide a solid waste staff with a site map of their community, or their plan will not be complete for submission
  • Before offering recycling services, property owners/managers must file out the recycling plan registration form and prepare a site map for approval
  • City staff will contact the property owner/managers to schedule a meeting with the community to discuss their recycling plan, contractor collector of recyclable must be present
  • We (Valet Living) oversee providing communities with recycling containers
  • Recycling containers must be placed as close as possible to garbage containers for convenience purposes
  • The collection of waste must mimic recycling collection; i.e., if we offer door to door waste collection, we are required to provide door to door recycling services
  • Recycling collection containers must be serviced frequently to avoid the overflowing of containers
  • Signage should indicate that containers are for recyclable materials only and list the types of materials accepted
  • Must ensure that residents are educated about the recycling service available and must provide educational material to new and existing occupants upon move-in
  • Required to inform residents of any change to their recycling collection service

Multifamily Recycle Collection Tips 

  • Provide educational materials to residents and make sure to inform them if there are any changes to their recycling collection
  • Signage should indicate which containers are for recycling and the recycling materials accepted
  • Place recycling containers near garbage containers
  • Fill and submit the recycling collector registration form for private haulers
    https://www.sanantonio.gov/eforms/swmd/SWMD-MultiFamilyRecyclingCollector.pdf

Learn more about recycling in your city.

For more information, please contact:

Multifamily recycling hotline at 210.207.6460
Solid Waste Management Department Attn: Multifamily 4335 W. Piedras Dr. San Antonio, TX 78228

This information is not your official community or municipality guidelines. Recycling mandates may change based on the local processing capabilities and shifting markets. Contact your leasing office or local recycling agency to learn more or use the links under the “Recycling Resources"