San Francisco

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 - #7.

  • Bath Bottles- shampoo, mouthwash, lotion, soap, etc.
  • Bottles & Jugs- beverage, food, etc.
  • Bulky items- laundry baskets, swimming pools, non-electric toys, etc.
  • Clean plastic bags- grocery bags, dry cleaner bags, and film plastics
  • Containers- fruit, baked good, etc.
  • House Bottles & Jugs- cleaning supplies, detergent, etc.
  • Plastic hangers
  • Polystyrene Foam Products- plates, cups, containers, egg cartons, block packaging, and packing materials
  • Tubs- yogurt, margarine, etc.
  • 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 Cans- beverage, food, etc.
  • Aluminum foil
  • Empty paint and aerosol cans
  • Food tins
  • Metal and bi-metal cans
  • Wire hangers

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 and toilet paper rolls
  • Mixed Paper- computer paper, office paper, Unwanted mail, Flyers, Notecards, Newspaper, Magazines, folders

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- soda, beer, etc.
  • Food Bottles & Jars- pickle jars, spaghetti sauce, etc.
Bottles and jars (remove lids or caps)
Clean and dry your glass bottles

OTHERS

Other items that may be recycled

  • Cartons — All refrigerated, shelf-stable, aseptic packaging, including:
    • Fruit juice boxes and cartons
    • Orange juice cartons
    • Milk cartons
    • Wine boxes
    • Soy milk, rice milk, and almond milk boxes and cartons
    • Cereal boxes
    • Heavy cream cartons
    • Egg substitute cartons
Check with your leasing office for official guidelines
Click the “Recycling Resources” for more details

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

  • No paper spoiled by food waste
  • Broken glass (broken glass bottles can be included)
  • Hazardous materials
  • Batteries, medical waste, pesticide, pool cleaner, and garden chemicals
  • Solvents/automotive/flammables/electronics can only be disposed at disposal centers or collection events
  • Diapers
  • Electric cords
  • Clothing/fabric
  • Appliances
  • Mini blinds
  • Kitchen utensils
  • Rubber tires
  • Wood
  • Garden hoses
  • Lawn furniture
  • Construction materials
  • Asphalt or concrete
  • Ceramics
  • Windows
  • Mirrors

Recycle Collection Tips

  • Everyone in San Francisco is required to keep their recyclables, compostable, and trash separate
  • Communities must comply by self-hauling, subscribing to a hauler, or arranging pickup of recyclable materials
  • Containers must be separated as follows: trash, compost and recyclables (they must be color-coded)

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

  • Communities must provide color-coded containers for residents, staff and contractors to ensure separation of discards 
  • Residents can choose to compost at home and take recyclables to appropriate recycling centers
  • Participate by putting recyclables in the blue bin and compost in the green bin
  • All multifamily units must abide by this ordinance

Learn more about recycling in your city.

For more information, please contact:

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"