What can I recycle in the Sacramento area? Check out our guide
Do you know how to recycle?
The rules for what can be recycled vary by city, and it can be challenging to keep up with all the requirements and instructions.
A reader recently asked The Sacramento Bee for information about what can be recycled in Sacramento County.
“Often there is no number on plastic items ... and even then, I am unsure which numbers are acceptable to (Sacramento County) for recycling,” Elk Grove resident Kathy Schauwecker told The Bee in an email.
“Often, berry or salad plastic containers or others say ‘check locally,’ ” she said. “It’s frustrating, and I don’t bother (recycling them).”
Here’s an easy-to-use guide to recycling in the Sacramento area:
What do markings on recyclable materials mean?
Around the world, the triangle-shaped symbol found on recyclable items is called the “chasing arrows,” and includes corresponding numbers to indicate what kind of material each item is made of.
Since January 2024, California has required that only recyclable items are allowed to display the chasing arrows logo.
Plastics are numbered No. 1 through Nov. 7, with digits ascending according to recycling difficulty, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Here is what the numbers on plastic items mean, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
Polyethylene terephthalate is the most common form of recycled plastic. It’s used in food packages ranging from plastic soda bottles to microwaveable food trays.
High-density polyethylene is in milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles and yogurt tubs.
Polyvinyl chloride, or, PVC, can be found in plastic pipes and bottles of cooking oil and mouthwash.
Low-density polyethylene is primarily used in plastic film such as shrink wrap and plastic bags.
Polypropylene is typically found in bottles of ketchup, medicine and syrup, as well as in straws and bottle caps.
Polystyrene. is found in a wide variety of items, such as CD cases, take-out containers, disposable plates, utensils, and egg cartons.
Miscellaneous plastics
Glass and paper items are also numbered, with three main classifications for each material, according to the U.S. Energy Department.
For instance, No. 70 refers to “mixed glass,” or, glass of various colors, while No. 71 used to indicate clear glass and No. 72 is for green glass items.
Cardboard products are labeled No. 20, plain paper is No. 21 and mixed-color paper products feature No. 22.
What can I recycle in Sacramento County?
Sacramento County generally accepts clean plastic items numbered No. 1 through No. 7, as well as clean glass bottles and paper of all colors for recycling. Some of the items include:
- Glass bottles and jars with the lid removed
- Plastic food containers
- Soda bottles
- Plastic milk jugs
- Buckets and pails
- Laundry baskets
- Flattened cardboard
- Cereal boxes
- Newspapers and magazines
- Paper bags
- Paperback books
Clean metal items are also accepted, including:
Aluminum and tin cans
Rinsed aluminum trays and foil
Empty aerosol cans
Pots, pans and utensils
Jar lids
What can’t I recycle in Sacramento County?
The county does not accept these items in recycling containers:
Styrofoam or packing peanuts
Food-soiled paper
Plastic shopping bags
Plastic wrap
Plastic mailers
Most of these items should be tossed in the garbage bin instead, the city said.
Food-soiled paper can go in the organic waste bin.
What should I do with my trash?
If you’re wondering what to do with your trash, Sacramento County’s Waste Wizard can help you determine which bin it belongs in.
Some city lookup tools can provide guidance on recycling specific items.
For example, the city of Elk Grove says plastic “clamshell”-style containers, which commonly hold berries and other small produce, can be placed in the recycling bin.
Do other places in Sacramento area have different recycling rules?
Generally, cities across the capital region accept the same plastic, glass, metal and paper items for recycling.
However, some municipalities have slightly different rules or procedures for implementing their recycling programs.
In Placer County, for example, waste items aren’t separated into separate bins.
The county’s “One Big Bin” program allows residents throw away most items in a trash container. Recyclables get sorted out at a processing facility.
You should visit your city or county’s website to get information on how to sort household waste.
How do I tell my recycling bin from my garbage can?
Waste disposal containers are distributed by your city or county, so the design and colors may vary slightly between municipalities.
Trash cans are black, brown or gray, in while recycling bins are blue and organic waste containers are green in these Sacramento County cities:
In West Sacramento, the trash bin is gray, recycling bins are green and organic waste bins are brown.
What happens if I throw waste in the wrong container?
According to previous Sacramento Bee reporting, it’s unlikely you will be fined or face penalties for incorrectly recycling.
However, if you repeatedly contaminate your city or county’s by tossing garbage into the recycling bin, you could be issued a notice and provided education documents on recycling procedures, The Bee reported.
This story was originally published March 29, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "What can I recycle in the Sacramento area? Check out our guide."
