Cheat sheet: Can you recycle that in Sacramento?

Keeping up with what goes in the trash and what can be recycled isn't easy. That’s why we made this cheat sheet based on the current market for recyclables. For more information, check out the websites for Sacramento County and the City of Sacramento.

Styrofoam: There is no current market for polystyrene. Place it in the trash.

Beer/soda bottles: To get the California Redemption Value, take it directly to a recycling center. When it’s recycled at the curb it is crushed with mixed glass and no longer has value.

Aluminum cans: Cans have the most value; most don’t make it into the curbside recycling program.

Mixed glass: Mixed glass doesn’t have much value. Recyclers crush it to bits before it’s turned back into glass. Cleaning it first will minimize contamination of other products.

Mixed paper: Mixed paper has some value to recyclers, but not if it’s soaked in juice, milk or other contaminants.

Pizza boxes: Clean pizza boxes have value, but always toss the cheesy, greasy bottom. You can salvage the top if it’s clean.

Newsprint, cardboard: Both can be recycled. The cleaner the better.

This story was originally published March 12, 2018 at 3:00 AM with the headline "Cheat sheet: Can you recycle that in Sacramento?."