At the Mobile County Recycling Center we accept residential household recyclables, which are processed at our facility and then and shipped out to processors. The range of materials we are able to accept is largely dictated by the demand present in the market and the availability of funding for various programs. Given these conditions, the materials we accept may be subject to change.
Items we accept |
Items we don’t accept |
| Paper
Paperboard Cardboard Plastic #1 Plastic #2 Plastic #3-7 Glass bottles and jars Aluminum cans Steel cans Plastic bags Clothing Flat Screen TVs/Monitors Electronics (computers, printers, etc.) Small Appliances |
Box TVs/monitors (CRTS)
Styrofoam PVC Pipes Food contaminated items Wax covered paperboard (ie. cartons, cups) Compressed air tanks (i.e. propane) Anything that previously contained hazardous materials Medical waste Chemicals (paint, cleaners, etc.) Construction materials Scrap metal Tires Yard waste Large appliances |
Sorting Guidelines
To avoid contamination, we ask that you rinse items that previously held foodstuff or liquid, uncap bottles/jars, and remove items from any bags before placing them in the bins.
Bins
We are unable to receive materials commingled and require individuals to separate them into their corresponding bins:
Plastic:
Plastic #1 Plastic #2 Plastic #3-6
(More details on plastic below)
Paper:
Cardboard (corrugated)
Paper (newspapers, cereal boxes, flyers, magazines, junk mail, etc.)
Not accepting: milk cartons, ice cream cartons, paper cups, tissues/napkins/paper towels, metallic wrapping paper, greasy pizza boxes, and other food contaminated items.
Glass Bottles/Jugs/Jars:
Green Clear Brown
Not accepting: window panes, mirrors, cups, plates, etc.
Metal:
Steel cans Aluminum cans
Not accepting: scrap metal
Other:
Non working electronics and donations are collected in bins inside the warehouse. To find them, walk through the roll up door by the cardboard bin, the farthest one from the entrance gate, and they will be on your left.
Plastic grades:
The center has 3 bins for plastic collection: a bin for #1, a bin for #2, and a bin for #3-7
#1: PETE or PET
Most often called PET, #1 bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate. This plastic is most commonly used for water and soda bottles, peanut butter and other food jars, and such. PET plastic includes almost all clear/transparent bottles, jars, and jugs.
#2: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE is used for thin products such as milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo/conditioner bottles, bleach bottles, and vinegar bottles. HDPE plastic is composed of almost all opaque and solid colored bottles, jars, and jugs.
#3, #4, #5, #6, & #7:
This is a commingled mix of different categories of plastic. This is where any plastic household items other than bottles, jars, are collected. This mix includes food packaging, food storage containers, storage tubs, yogurt tubs, plastic cups, and cutlery. Rigid plastic, such as that found in furniture, equipment, and computers, isn’t accepted.
