Real-World Examples of Materials You Can Recycle and How to Prepare Them

Everyday examples of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them

Let’s start with the stuff you touch every day. When people ask for examples of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them, they’re usually thinking about the kitchen and home basics: bottles, cans, jars, and boxes.

Plastic bottles and containers: one of the best examples

Plastic drink bottles and food containers are some of the best examples of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them correctly.

Think of:

• Soda and water bottles
• Milk and juice jugs
• Laundry detergent bottles
• Yogurt tubs and butter tubs
• Clear clamshell containers for berries or salad (in many, but not all, cities)

How to prepare them:

Start by checking the bottom for a recycling symbol. Many U.S. curbside programs in 2024 accept #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) bottles and jugs. A growing number accept some #5 (PP) tubs and containers as well. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests following your local program’s accepted plastics list, which you can usually find on your city or hauler’s website.

For most bottles and containers:

• Empty completely. No liquids sloshing around.
• Quickly rinse. A fast swish with leftover dishwater is enough. You don’t need to scrub like you’re doing dishes.
• Leave caps on, if your local program says so. Many modern facilities prefer caps on bottles because loose caps are too small and can jam equipment. Check your city’s rules.
• Do not crush flat. Lightly squishing to save space is usually fine, but don’t flatten into pancakes. Sorting machines read the shape.

Real example: You finish a bottle of orange juice. You pour out the last sip, give it a quick rinse, screw the cap back on, and drop it in the recycling bin. That’s a textbook example of how to prepare a recyclable plastic container.

Cardboard boxes and paper: classic examples that need a tiny bit of prep

Cardboard and mixed paper are another set of examples of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them with almost no effort.

Common examples include:

• Shipping boxes from online orders
• Cereal, cracker, and pasta boxes
• Paper mail and envelopes (plastic windows are usually okay)
• Office paper and school worksheets
• Paper bags

How to prepare cardboard and paper:

• Flatten boxes. This saves space in the truck and helps sorting equipment work properly.
• Remove plastic packing materials. Bubble wrap, air pillows, and foam inserts go in the trash or store drop-off programs, not in curbside paper.
• Keep it dry and clean. Wet, greasy, or food-soaked paper (think pizza boxes soaked in cheese and oil) usually belongs in the trash or food-waste collection, if your city accepts it.
• Tear off heavily soiled sections. If the lid of a pizza box is clean but the bottom is greasy, recycle the clean part and trash the greasy part.

Real example: You get a package with a cardboard box, paper padding, and plastic air pillows. You pop and trash (or store-drop-off) the plastic pillows, flatten the box and paper, and put them in the recycling. That’s another clear example of how to prepare recyclable cardboard and paper so it actually gets used.

Metal cans: simple, high-value examples of recyclables

Aluminum and steel cans are some of the most valuable things in your recycling bin. They’re also easy examples of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them in under ten seconds.

Examples include:

• Soda and beer cans (aluminum)
• Soup, vegetable, and pet food cans (steel/tin)

How to prepare metal cans:

• Empty completely. Scrape out leftover food.
• Quick rinse. A quick rinse helps prevent odors and pests.
• Labels can usually stay on. Modern recycling systems remove labels during processing.
• Push sharp lids into the can. If you use a can opener that leaves sharp edges, carefully push the lid inside the can and pinch the top slightly closed.

Aluminum cans are a recycling success story. According to industry data summarized by the EPA, aluminum can recycling rates in the U.S. are still among the highest of any packaging material, and cans can be back on shelves as new cans in as little as 60 days.

Glass bottles and jars: great examples, but with a few local twists

Glass is infinitely recyclable, but not every community handles it the same way. That makes it a good example of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them while paying attention to local rules.

Examples include:

• Pasta sauce jars
• Pickle jars
• Wine and beer bottles
• Jelly and jam jars

How to prepare glass containers:

• Empty and quickly rinse. No need to fully remove labels.
• Remove lids and caps. Metal lids often can be recycled with metal; plastic lids may be trash unless your program says otherwise.
• Do not include broken glass. Broken drinking glasses, window glass, and mirrors are usually not accepted in curbside programs.

In some U.S. cities, glass is collected separately at drop-off sites to keep it from breaking and contaminating other recyclables. Check your city or county website or your hauler’s guidelines for local details.

Food scraps and yard waste: organic materials you can “recycle” by composting

When people think about examples of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them, they often skip over food scraps and yard waste. But in many cities, these are collected in green bins and turned into compost—another form of recycling.

Examples include:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Eggshells
• Leaves, grass clippings, and small branches

How to prepare organic waste for collection or backyard composting:

• Keep out plastic and metal. No plastic bags, cutlery, or wrappers unless they’re specifically labeled and accepted by your program.
• Use paper or compostable liners only if allowed. Some programs accept certified compostable bags; others want material loose.
• Chop large pieces. Breaking big items (like melon rinds or branches) into smaller pieces helps them break down faster.

Food waste is a big climate issue. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 30–40% of the food supply is wasted. Many cities now offer curbside organics collection to turn those scraps into compost instead of landfill methane.

Hazardous household materials: batteries, electronics, and more

Here’s where things get tricky. Some items absolutely should not go in your regular recycling bin, but they also shouldn’t go in the trash. They’re still examples of materials you can recycle, but they need special preparation and drop-off.

Examples include:

• Rechargeable batteries and car batteries
• Phones, laptops, and small electronics
• Fluorescent bulbs (including some compact fluorescents)
• Paints, solvents, and certain cleaners

How to prepare hazardous items for recycling or safe disposal:

• Never put them in curbside recycling or regular trash. They can cause fires and release toxic materials.
• Use local household hazardous waste (HHW) programs. Many counties host drop-off days or permanent HHW facilities.
• Tape battery terminals. For loose batteries, many programs ask you to tape the ends to prevent short circuits.

Your state or local environmental agency website is usually the best source for HHW instructions. The EPA also provides general guidance on household hazardous waste and electronics recycling.

Newer 2024–2025 examples: flexible plastics, cartons, and textiles

Recycling isn’t frozen in time. Every year, programs adjust what they accept based on markets and technology. In 2024–2025, several emerging categories give us fresh examples of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them if your local system supports them.

Plastic bags and film: store drop-off examples

Most curbside programs still say no to plastic bags and film, but many grocery and big-box stores in the U.S. have collection bins for them.

Examples include:

• Grocery bags
• Bread bags
• Dry-cleaning bags
• Plastic overwrap from paper towels and toilet paper

How to prepare plastic film for store drop-off:

• Remove receipts, stickers, and labels.
• Make sure it’s clean and dry. No food residue.
• Bundle bags together. Stuff bags into one bag and tie it loosely.

These store programs are one of the best real examples of how different materials require different preparation and different collection systems.

Cartons: milk, juice, and soup boxes

Shelf-stable and refrigerated cartons (think milk, juice, soup, and broth) are now accepted in many curbside programs, though not all.

Examples include:

• Milk and plant-based milk cartons
• Juice boxes (without straws)
• Soup and broth cartons

How to prepare cartons:

• Empty completely. No liquids left.
• Quick rinse. Swish with a little water if needed.
• Cap on or off? Follow local guidance; many programs accept cartons with caps on.

Cartons are made of paper with thin layers of plastic and sometimes aluminum. Specialized mills can separate these layers and turn the paper fibers into new products like tissue and paperboard.

Clothing and textiles: another kind of recycling

Old clothes and textiles aren’t usually accepted in curbside recycling, but they are still examples of materials you can recycle, just through different channels.

Examples include:

• Worn-out T-shirts and jeans
• Towels and sheets
• Single socks
• Fabric scraps

How to prepare textiles for donation or recycling:

• For donation: Wash, fold, and bag clean, wearable items.
• For textile recycling: Check if your city or local charities accept “unwearable” textiles for recycling. Bag them separately and label them if requested.

Some brands and retailers now offer take-back programs for clothing and shoes. These are good real examples of companies stepping into the recycling system.

How to double-check local rules for any example of recyclable material

One of the biggest sources of recycling confusion is that rules vary by city, county, and even neighborhood. An item that’s a perfect example of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them in one city might be trash in another.

Here’s how to stay accurate without memorizing every symbol:

• Check your hauler or city website. Most have a clear list of “accepted” and “not accepted” items.
• Use online search tools. Many cities offer a “What goes where?” search where you type in “yogurt cup” or “pizza box” and get a yes/no answer.
• Watch for program updates. Recycling rules do change as markets and facilities change.

If you’re unsure, it’s usually better to throw a questionable item in the trash than to contaminate your recycling. Recycling facilities regularly report that contamination (non-recyclable items in the bin) is one of their biggest challenges.

Quick FAQ: examples of recyclables and how to handle them

What are some common examples of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them at home?

Common examples of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them include plastic bottles (empty, rinse, cap on if allowed), cardboard boxes (flatten, remove plastic), aluminum cans (empty and quick rinse), glass jars (empty, rinse, remove lids), and paper mail (keep it clean and dry). Food scraps and yard waste can often go in a separate organics bin if your city offers one.

Can you give an example of something that looks recyclable but isn’t?

A classic example of a confusing item is a black plastic takeout container. Even if it has a recycling symbol, many facilities can’t sort or sell black plastic, so it ends up as trash. Another example is a paper coffee cup: the plastic lining makes it hard to recycle in many cities, even though the sleeve and lid might be accepted.

Are greasy pizza boxes a good example of paper you can recycle?

They’re a mixed bag. A clean pizza box is a good example of recyclable cardboard. But if the bottom is soaked with grease and cheese, that part usually belongs in the trash or food-waste bin. You can often tear off the clean lid and recycle that portion.

What are the best examples of items I should never put in my curbside recycling bin?

Some of the best examples of things to keep out of curbside recycling include plastic bags and film, garden hoses, batteries, electronics, diapers, and household hazardous waste like paint and chemicals. These items can cause equipment jams, fires, or contamination.

Where can I find more guidance on safe recycling and disposal?

For U.S. readers, your city or county solid waste department website is the most accurate local source. Nationally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers general recycling and household hazardous waste guidance. Many state environmental agencies also publish recycling and disposal tips tailored to local programs.

By focusing on clear, real-world examples of materials you can recycle and how to prepare them, you’ll send cleaner, more valuable material to your local facility—and waste less time guessing at the bin.