Recycling for Municipalities

Demand for curbside recycling programs is thriving. With participation rates higher than ever, it’s clear that people want to do the right thing, but they still need help understanding what materials can and cannot be placed in the recycling container. By working together, we can help communities recycle the right way.

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Learn about recycling in your community

Video thumbnail: Workers sort materials on a conveyor belt in a recycling facility.

What Is Recycling Contamination?

1:31

Learn more about recycling contamination and how we can work together to make recycling sustainable.

Video thumbnail: A smiling woman with long dark hair in a green WM shirt.

Recycling Basics

0:26

Learn the importance of adopting correct recycling practices and get a quick lesson on the basics of recycling.

Video thumbnail of a recycling truck unloading a large pile of mixed recycling materials.

Curbing Contamination

Contamination in residential curbside recycling can cause a ripple effect in the recycling process. Teach quality inspectors and collection crews how they can help fight contamination.

A young girl holds a green recycling symbol, surrounded by more floating symbols.

Environmental Impact

2:25

Learn more about the environmental impact of recycling often and recycling right.

Two white bins labeled "RECYCLE" and "TRASH" standing side by side.

How to Organize Your Recycling

0:32

Organize to make sure the right items get recycled.

Resources for Municipalities

Posters, Guides & Other Tools

Poster: What to Recycle

Learn which materials go into your recycling container and which do not.

Poster: What to Recycle (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines to know which materials go into your recycling container.

Poster: Most Common Contaminants

Find out which items cause recycling contamination and what to do with them instead.

4 Steps to Get Started Recycling

Follow these 4 easy steps to set up your recycling for success.

What it Means to Recycle Right Brochure

Learn more about the benefits of recycling and find the recycling rules.

What it Means to Recycle Right Brochure (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Learn more about the benefits of recycling and find the right recycling rules.

Simple Rules for Recycling Graphic

Simplify your recycling process with these simple rules.

Recycling Myths

Become the expert and uncover the truth about common recycling myths.

Recycling Education Green Welcome Cart Hanger

Ensure all new recyclers get the proper recycling information by including an educational cart hanger on all delivered recycling carts.

Recycling Education Blue Welcome Cart Hanger

Ensure all new recyclers get the proper recycling information by including an educational cart hanger on all delivered recycling carts.

Container Labels

Recycling Container Label

Affix this label to your curbside recycling bin to remind you what materials are acceptable and non-acceptable for recycling.

Recycling Container Label (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Use this label in areas where glass is not accepted in your program.

Commercial Recycling Container Label

Affix this label to all recycling bins to remind employees what is acceptable and non-acceptable for recycling.

Commercial Recycling Container Label (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Use this label in areas where glass is not accepted in your program.

Commercial Recycling Container Label - Cardboard Only

For facilities that only accept cardboard. Affix this label to all recycling bins as a reminder for employees.

Commercial Recycling Container Label - Mixed Fiber Only

For facilities that only accept mixed fiber, like cardboard and paper. Affix this label to all recycling containers as a reminder for employees.

Recycling Labels for Each Room

Label recycling containers in each room of your home with these customized labels for the kitchen, bathroom and office.

Simplified Recycling Label

This simplified label showcases the most common recyclable items.

Simplified Recycling Label (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Use this label in areas where glass is not accepted in your program.

Simplified Trash with Food Waste Accepted Label

This simplified label shows what materials belong in the trash (for areas where food waste is acceptable in the trash).

Simplified Trash with Food Waste Not Accepted Label

This simplified label shows what materials belong in the trash (for areas where food waste is non-acceptable in the trash).

Simplified Organics Recycling Label

This simplified label shows materials that are typically acceptable for organics recycling programs.

Multifamily Tools

Multifamily Toolkit

Get step by step directions along with the tools you need for establishing, evaluating and maintaining proper recycling guidelines in your community.

Recycling Setup Checklist

Evaluate your property's recycling program using a comprehensive checklist to measure service levels, containers and surrounding areas.

Staff Recycling Training Factsheet

Educate staff on the 3 rules of recycling and how to separate recyclables from non-recyclables. Part of the Multifamily Guide.

New Tenant Welcome Letter

Welcome new tenants and inform them of community recycling goals.

Welcome Door Hanger

Welcome new residents to the community and invite them to join your recycling program.

Apartments & Condos Newsletter: Recycle Right Tote Bag

Welcome residents with a Recycle Right Reusable Tote Bag.

Apartments & Condos Newsletter: Community Pride

Encourage residents to take pride in their community through proper recycling.

Apartments & Condos Newsletter: Space Savers

Give residents space-efficient options for recycling.

Apartments & Condos Newsletter: Program Announcement

Announce new recycling services and resources to residents.

Apartments & Condos Newsletter: Program Improvements

Inform residents of updates and improvements to existing recycling programs.

Recycle Right Reusable Tote Bag

Buy this handy reusable bag to collect recyclables at home, in the kitchen, or office or wherever you recycle.

Recycling Bulletins

Feedback Tools

Recycling Feedback Tag - Contamination

Education and enforcement go hand-in-hand for proper recycling. Let residents know when there are contaminants in their recycling.

Recycling Feedback Tag - Good Job

Positive direct feedback is important. Let residents know when they are doing a good job of recycling right.

Commercial Bin Contamination Sticker

Leave this sticker on contaminated commercial bins. Be sure to mark which items were observed as contamination.

Recycling Contamination Postcard

Follow up with a resident who received a negative feedback tag due to contamination.

Recycling Contamination Newsletter

Inform residents of the feedback tag process indicating there were non-acceptable items in their recycling.

Recycling Feedback Tag Email

Follow-up email to inform customer they may have received a Recycling Feedback Tag.

"No Plastic Bags" Toolkit

Commercial Reusable Recycling Bag Tools

Commercial Reusable Recycling Bag Toolkit

Eliminating single-use plastic bags reduces contamination and saves money. Engage your team to learn how sustainable reusable bags can be.

Reusable Bag Care Poster

Place above recycling containers with reusable bags to remind folks food and liquid are not recyclable.

Employee Email

Inform employees why you’re using reusable recycling bags and eliminating single-use plastic bags.

Janitorial Staff Email

Engage your facility staff and reaffirm how important they are to make your company’s recycling program a success.

Janitorial Recycling Tag

Janitorial staff can use this tag to alert employees to only recycle empty bottles, cans, paper and cardboard.

Commercial Reusable Bag Sales Sheet

Order the Commercial Reusable Bag directly at wmgearstore.wm.com and eliminate single use plastic bags.

Recycling Resources for Kids

Recycled Art Activities

Introduce a fun exercise creating reusable art to emphasize waste reduction.

Elementary Curriculum Overview

Provide kids with interactive learning opportunities that focus on building proper recycling habits with the Recycle Right Elementary Curriculum based on STEM standards.