The city of Seattle prohibits recyclable paper and cardboard in the garbage.
What is acceptable
- Mixed paper
- Office paper
- Newspaper and newsprint
- Sticky notes
- Envelopes
- Magazines
- Softbound books and journals, small volumes
- File folders
- Hanging file folders
- Box board and tablet backs
- Card stock
- Small pieces of flattened cardboard
- Shredded paper (bagged)
Staples, small paper clips, and small amounts of tape are permitted. Remove all large paper and binder clips. Remove all spiral and other types of bindings when possible.
What is not acceptable
- Items that aren’t paper or cardboard
- Confidential paper
- Food-soiled paper and cardboard
- Label backing sheets
- Transparencies
- Three-ring binders
- Hardbound books
- Photographs
- Paper with plastic coating (to test for plastic coating, tear the item; plastic film is usually visible along the tear)