Recycling Tips
In Hamilton County for Curbside and Drop-Off Recycling
The information below is sourced from: Hamilton County R3source Website
Plastic
PaINT
Paper
Bottles
Recyclable if mouth is smaller than base
Empty, rinse, dry, and reattach lids
Jugs
Recyclable if mouth is smaller than base
Empty, rinse, dry, and reattach lids
Examples: milk, soda, laundry, shampoo, contact solution
Tubs
Make sure to reattach lid after rinsing (DO NOT place containers inside of other containers)
Empty, rinse, dry, and reattach lids
Examples: yogurt containers, fruit cups, pudding cups, jello cups, butter tubs, sour cream tubs, cottage cheese tubs, hummus containers
Acrylic & Latex-based paints & primers can be disposed of in the curbside trash cans as long as they are completely dried out. Paint that is not expired and in good, usable condition can go to Habitat for Humanity or Matthew 25 Ministries.
Oil-based paints, primers, lacquers, etc. are a hazardous material and cannot be thrown away in the curbside trash. They must be taken to be properly recycled. Hamilton County R3source has a Hazardous Waste Program, including an annual drop-off event.
Cardboard
Flatten and should fit inside bin (cut to smaller pieces if necessary)
Throw away greasy/food parts of pizza boxes
No need to remove labels or tape
Envelopes
No need to remove plastic window
If padded, remove plastic padding before recycling
What can be recycled?
Paper, Paperboard (ex. cereal boxes)
Telephone books (break into large chunks), catalogs, magazines, newspapers, tissue paper
No need to remove staples
Post-It Notes (Source: Post-It Website)
Glass
Must be bottle or jar shapes (mouth smaller than base)
Can be any color
Rinse, dry, and reattach lid
Cartons
Metal Cans
To DO + Not To Do
Grocery Store Recycling Bins
Cincinnati Reuse & Recycling Hub
3R Recycling
EARTH 911
FREECYCLE
Remove plastic caps and straws
Examples: juice, soup, milk, wine, broth
No egg or ice cream cartons
Cans that held non-hazardous/non-flammable material ONLY
Aluminum and Steel Cans
Empty, rinse, dry, and remove plastic tip
Aerosol Cans
Empty and take off plastic nozzles, tips, and lids
Ex. cooking spray
NO spray paint
How to properly recycle
Mix all items together - no need to separate
Do Not bag items - keep them loose
Do Not place containers inside of other containers
What Can Not Be Recycled?
Plastic bags, Batteries (also don’t put in trash), “To-Go” food containers, Receipts, Electronics, Buckets, Light bulbs, Drinking glasses, Ceramics, Scrap metal, Coffee pods, Prescription bottles, Plastic cups, Photographs, Storage tubs and lids, Tupperware, Fruit containers (ex. blueberry, raspberry, etc.)
Napkins, Paper Towels, Paper Plates
Can sometimes be composted
Other Recycling Resources
What can go in these bins?
Clean, dry bags labeled #2 or #4
Plastic grocery/retail bags, Ziploc and other re-sealable bags, Newspaper sleeves, Ice bags, Dry cleaning bags, Bread and produce bags, Salt bags, Cereal bags, Toilet paper/napkin/paper towel Wraps
What can not go in these bins?
Frozen food bags, Pre-washed salad bags, Candy wrappers, Chip bags, Flower bouquet wraps
“The Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub (CRRH, or the Hub) reduces the amount of waste going to landfills through our one-stop drop-off location where we accept items and materials that are recyclable and reusable, even some that are not permitted in traditional recycling bins.”
3R Recycling provides homeowners and businesses in Cincinnati, OH, with cost-effective, convenient drive-through recycling of all manner of reusable materials, including paper, metal, plastic, wood, and much more.
A wide list of resources for how to recycle and where to recycle in North America
Freecycle is a grassroots & nonprofit network that offers free membership and allows you to give and receive recycled and reusable materials in your community
For reusable materials, see our other resources for donating goods here: