A-Z List of Recyclables
Aerosols
Aerosol cans that contained a hazardous material such as paints or pesticides and are empty can go in the trash. Those with any quantity in them should be brought to a household hazardous waste collection event. Empty aerosol cans that did not contain a hazardous product can be recycled.
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Air Conditioners
Air conditioners and other freon appliances are accepted for a fee at Wright Brothers Metal Recycling in Newport.
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Air Pillows
See Packing Materials
These are not recyclable, therefore they are trash unless you can donate to a local shipping store or local post office.
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Ammunition
Unwanted ammunition, road flares, and fireworks must be handled properly. Call the State Police Explosives Unit for disposal options.
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Animals Carcass
Contact the State Solid Waste Management Program at 802-828-1138.
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Antifreeze
Antifreeze can be brought to a household hazardous waste collection event.
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Appliances – Metals
Appliances, if in working condition, should be reused if possible. Place an ad on Craigslist, Front Porch Forum, or VTgrandpa.com. If they are not in working order, and they do not contain Freon, they can be brought to the Casella drop-off in Coventry.
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Asbestos
Both friable and non-friable asbestos must be handled and disposed of carefully.
Contact the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources at 802-863-7236, or toll-free in Vermont 800-439-8550, for a list of licensed asbestos abatement contractors.
You can also contact the Vermont Department of Health Lead and Asbestos Program
(802-865-7784 or 800-439-8550) for assistance with health concerns about asbestos.
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Aseptic Containers
Recycling options are not currently available, please place them in the trash.
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Ashes
A great fertilizer, especially in the spring. Spread on your lawn or garden. Ashes can also be taken to the yard waste disposal drop off if they are cold! If not, they are a significant fire hazard.
Wet them down, or store in a metal can until they have cooled completely before transporting.
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Asphalt (Construction and Demolition)
Construction and Demolition material is accepted with a fee at the Casella Drop-Off facility in Coventry.
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Automobiles
Junk cars can be brought to Wright Brothers Metal Recycling in Newport.
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Ballasts, PCP and non PCB
These materials can be brought to any Vermont Electronic Recycling Facility.
The Derby Town Garage accepts them Wednesdays 3-6pm and Saturdays 9-1pm.
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Batteries
Alkaline batteries from AAA to 12volt are accepted in the trash. Rechargeable, lithium and button cell batteries can be recycled at Casella’s drop-off in Coventry. The drop-off will also accept automobile batteries for a fee. Mercury containing batteries can be brought to Household Hazardous Waste Day.
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Books
If books are still in good condition, donate to a used bookstore, thrift store or community rummage sale. Unusable paperbacks and magazines can go in regular recycling
while hardcovers go into the trash if they are not repurposed in another one of the above avenues.
You can remove the covers and place the pages in recycling.
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Bottle Caps & Lids
Less than 2” in diameter are trash.
Larger than 2” in diameter and displaying a recycle logo are recyclable.
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Bottles
Recycle (empty and rinsed clean)
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Bubble Wrap
These are not recyclable, therefore they are trash unless you can donate to a local shipping store or local post office.
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Building materials
Construction and Demolition materials are accepted for a fee at the
Casella Drop-Off facility in Coventry.
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Cans
Recycle (clean and empty)
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Cardboard, corrugated
Recycle (clean and broken down)
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Carpet
Carpets are accepted for a fee at Casella Drop-Off facility in Coventry.
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Cat Litter
If conventional clumping litter, it goes in the trash.
If you use a natural plant-based litter, composting may be an option.
Keep in mind when composting cat litter that it is easy to do, but should be kept separate from regular food-scrap based compost, and, when the composting process is complete,
should be used on ornamentals only.
Compost cat litter for 12 – 18 months to be certain pathogens have been killed by the composting process. The Casella drop-off facility in Coventry has composters for sale.
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Catalogs
Can be placed in your recycle bin.
Contact companies and ask to be removed from mailing list if unwanted.
To remove your name from most national direct marketing lists, register with the Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Mail Preference Service. Send a written request with your name as it appears on all catalog labels to:
Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735
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CD covers
See also Jewel Cases
Place in recycling
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CDs
See also DVDs, game disks
If unscratched, consider selling on ebay, Craigslist, Front Porch Forum, or VTgrandpa.com.
CD’s and DVD’s are not recyclable and must be placed in the trash if they cannot be repurposed.
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Cell phones
There are a number of options for broken or unwanted cell phones.
You can donate your working cell phone to Voices Against Violence in St. Albans for use by victims of domestic violence.
Cell phones are also accepted for recycling at some cell phone stores and any Vermont Electronic Recycling facility. The Derby Town Garage accepts them Wednesdays 3-6pm and Saturdays 9-1pm.
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Christmas trees
Trees can be brought to the Coventry Drop-Off.
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Clean Wood
Use for home heating purposes or save for future household projects.
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Cleaning Products
Bring anything marked, “Danger, Hazard, Warning or Caution” to a
Household Hazardous Waste collection.
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Clothing/Textiles
Donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, local thrift store or church.
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Computers
See Electronics
Check out the Vermont E-Waste Recycling program for more details on the program.
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Containers
Recycle plastics #1-7 (empty and rinsed clean)
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Copier toner
See print cartridges
Recycle at point of purchase in most cases.
Staples has a program that recycles all toners and cartridges in store or online – up to 10 per month. In some cases you may earn rebates toward future purchases.
More information about the Staples program can be found here. Or click here for more information about free nationwide toner printer cartridge recycling services.
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Crayons
Check with your school, nursing home or daycare as crayons can be used in craft projects. You can also send them to Crazy Crayon’s National Crayon Recycle Program.
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Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are accepted for a fee at Wright Brothers Metal Recycling in Newport, VT.
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Doors & Windows
Construction and Demolition materials are accepted for a fee at the Casella drop-off in Coventry.
The ReStore in Barre – 802-477-7800 will also take doors and windows.
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources provides information about deconstruction here.
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DVDs
See also CDs and Game Disks
If unscratched, ReStore in Barre– 802-477-7800
CD and DVDs are not recyclable and must be placed in the trash if they cannot be repurposed.
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E-Waste or Electronic Waste
Check out the Vermont E-Waste Recycling program for more details on the program.
E-waste is accepted according to the program rules at the
Derby Town Garage on Wednesdays from 3-6pm and Saturdays from 9-1pm.
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Egg Cartons
If you know someone with chickens, they may like them.
Paper ones can be placed in your recycling bin or composted. Styrofoam cartons go in trash.
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Electronics
Check out the Vermont E-Waste Recycling program for more details on the program.
The Derby Town Garage accepts them Wednesdays 3-6pm and Saturdays 9-1pm.
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Eyeglasses
Used eyeglasses can be donated year-round through collection boxes located at offices of members of the American Optometric Association, Goodwill stores, Lens Crafters and most optometrist offices. Call 800-74-SIGHT for collection information.
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Fire Extinguishers
Unwanted fire extinguishers – Vermont Fire Extinguisher – 476-6116. Standard dry chemical fire extinguishers can be safely discarded as long as they are empty.
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Fireworks/Explosives/Ammunition
Unwanted ammunition, road flares, and fireworks must be handled properly.
Call the State Police Explosives Unit 802-244-8727 before moving explosives and shock-sensitive materials. PLEASE do not dispose of any of these items in your trash.
They are NOT accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection days.
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Fluorescent Bulbs/Lamps
Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes (straight, circular and U-shaped), compact fluorescent light
(CFL) bulbs, UV radiation tubes, HID bulbs, and metal halide and sodium bulbs contain
mercury and are all considered hazardous and should be brought to a
Household Hazardous Waste Collection day.
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Foil
Recycle clean foil and pie plates.
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Food Waste
Compost food waste in your back yard. Feed leftover food to chickens or pigs if you have them.
Donate extra food (unopened) to the Vermont Food Bank or local food shelf.
Composters are for sale the Casella drop-off in Coventry.
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Game Disks
ReStore– 802-477-7800
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Gasoline and Gas/Oil Mixtures
These are hazardous waste and must be brought to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
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Glass
Place clean glass in your recycling bin. Window pane glass is not recyclable and must go in the trash.
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Hazardous Waste
You can bring household hazardous waste to any one of the scheduled
Household Hazardous Waste Days. C
ontact the Casella drop-off with questions at 802-334-8300.
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Hearing Aids
Recycle unwanted or older hearing aids and assistive devices at the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Securely package the donation and mail to:
Hear Now
6700 Washington Avenue South
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
866-354-3254
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Hypodermic needles/sharps
Needles, lancets and syringes used for home health care are not regulated and can go in the trash.
To protect workers in the waste industry, place all needles in a sealed container and label it
“Sharps – Do Not Recycle.”
A plastic soda or laundry detergent bottle with a lid makes a good container.
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Irons
Plastic irons can go in the regular trash.
Metal irons can be recycled as scrap metal provided they do not contain a mercury switch (older irons would have one).
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Kerosene
Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
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Latex Paint
Containers with any quantity in them should come to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
Your local hardware store may take them as well.
Both latex and acrylic paint are safe to go in the trash as long as the contents are completely dried up.
If there is a little bit in the can, take the lid off and let it air dry (keep away from children and pets).
If there is a lot in the can you can add saw dust or crumpled up newspaper and once that is dry,
it can go in the trash.
If you have a full can that you want to get rid of, contact 855-724-6809 or visit paintcare.org for a list of locations that accept paint.
JB Colton’s in Orleans will accept paints free of charge.
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Lead Painted Wood & Chips
Wood with lead paint is considered contaminated and needs to be disposed as a solid waste.
Lead paint chips that have been scraped off wood siding, windows, furniture, etc.
are consider Household hazardous waste, and should be brought to a HHW collection.
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Leaf and Yard Waste
Composting is the best answer for these types of materials. Piling leaves, brush and yard
waste near your composter will provide you with ample material throughout the year to
generate compost for your garden.
You can rent a small chipper for little money to turn larger brush into mulch for your
compost or garden. You can also bring leaf and yard waste to any facility that accepts trash.
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Magazines
Place in your recycling bin.
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Medications
In most cases, unwanted medication should be placed in the trash.
See pharmaceuticals or prescription pills.
Occasionally, disposal events are put on by law enforcement.
Check with local law enforcement when the next event would be in your area.
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Mercury Products
For best disposal information, go to the Vermont Mercury Education & Reduction Campaign.
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Microwaves
Can be placed in the scrap metal container at the Casella Drop-Off in Coventry.
Microwaves are not considered electronic waste.
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Motor Oil
Used motor oil (no antifreeze or gasoline mixed in) can be taken to the Casella drop-off in Coventry.
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Newspaper
Place in recycling bin. Newspapers MAY be used in compost –
HOWEVER be sure that the makeup of your newspapers ink is compatible with the type of compost you are trying to harvest.
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Oil Filters
Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
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Oil-Based Paint
Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
Also, check out the PaintCare website for complete list of sites that collect paints throughout the
State of Vermont.
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Paper (including Paper Bags)
Place in recycling bin.
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Pesticides
Bring pesticides to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
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Phone Books
Place in recycling bin.
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Pizza Boxes
Remove any leftovers and place in recycling bin.
If the box has grease on the inside then place in the trash.
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Plastic Bags
First we encourage you to reuse them, or use cloth bags; don’t use plastic bags in the first place.
PLEASE do not place them in with your curbside or zero sort recycling. You can bring them to most major grocery store plastic bag recycling bins:
Plastic grocery bags get recycled at:
Shaws
Hannaford’s
Price Chopper
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Plastic Bottles and Jugs
Place in recycling bin – must be empty and clean
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Propane Tanks
Return to the retailer for refill or exchange. The new style tanks are refillable.
Please check with a local hardware store or convenience store for an exchange program.
Empty handheld propane cylinders can go to the Casella drop-off in Coventry.
Wright Brothers Metal Recycling in Newport will accept larger propane tanks.
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Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material, which does not travel very far, even in air. Nonetheless, do not open the insides of a smoke detector, as that could remove the shielding, possibly exposing you to levels above background. Vermont residents may dispose of smoke detectors as trash.
Alternatively, smoke detectors may be mailed back to the manufacturer for recycling. Mail smoke detectors by surface or UPS ground mail. (Specify on the package that they should not be shipped via air.) Contact the manufacturer’s toll-free number for instructions and mailing address.
Two manufacturers that make a large percentage of the smoke detectors in use may be reached at the following numbers:
First Alert/BRK Brands (Aurora, IL) 800-323-9005
American Sensors (Canada) 800-387-4219
Businesses with smoke detectors should call the Vermont Environmental Assistance Division in at 1-800-974-9559, to receive information about proper disposal.
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Styrofoam
Styrofoam is not recyclable and can be placed in the trash.
Try purchasing products that do not contain Styrofoam.
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Televisions
See electronics
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Tires
Tires not on the rim can be brought to the Casella drop-off facility in Coventry.
Applicable fees may apply.