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6-Pack Rings
Cut through rings to prevent harming wildlife.
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ABS Plastic
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed.
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Agricultural Plastics & Film
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Air Mattress
If too large to fit in garbage cart with lid closed, call 510-262-7100 to schedule bulky item pick-up.
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Arts and Crafts Supplies & Materials
Consider reusing or donating. Paper can be recycled, other unusable materials can be put in the garbage cart.
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Aseptic Packs
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Ashes - Grill/Fireplace
Ashes must be cold and bagged before placing them in the garbage cart.
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Auto Glass
Not recyclable. Small bagged amounts ok in garbage cart with lid closed. If too big for cart, call 510-262-7100 to schedule a bulky item pickup.
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Auto Upholstery - Non-working
Small amounts ok in garbage cart.
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Balloons
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Bathroom Fixtures
Consider reuse first. If too large to fit in garbage cart with lid closed, call 510-262-7100 to schedule a bulky item pickup.
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Berry Baskets - Woven Plastic
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Blueprint Paper
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Books - Hard Cover - Non-working
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Bubble Envelopes - Paper or Mylar
Consider reuse first. Not recyclable due to mixed materials.
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Bubble Wrap
Consider reuse first. Not recyclable.
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Burlap
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Cables & Wires - Non-working
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Camera Film & Slides
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Cardboard - Foil-lined
Mixed material items are never recyclable.
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Carpet
Small amounts ok in garbage cart.
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Carpet Padding
Small amounts ok in garbage cart.
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Cassette & VHS Tapes - Commercially Made - Working
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Cassette & VHS Tapes - Non-working
Audio & video tapes are not recyclable.
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CD/DVD - Commercially Made - Working
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CD/DVD - Non-working/Non-commercial
CD/DVDs are not recyclable.
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CD/DVD Jewel Cases
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Ceiling Tile
Small amounts ok in garbage cart.
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Child Car Seats - Non-working/Expired/Accident
If too big to fit in garbage cart with lid closed, call 510-262-7100 to schedule a bulky item pickup.
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Christmas Lights - Non-working
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Christmas Trees - Artificial
If too big to fit in cart with lid closed, call 510-262-7100 to schedule a bulky item pickup.
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Cigarette Waste
Filters are not compostable.
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Cleaning Wipes - Used
Do not flush or compost; wipes are made from plastic resin.
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Clocks & Watches - Non-working
Recycle if all metal, otherwise place in garbage cart.
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Cloth Diapers & Accessories
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Clothes Hangers - Broken
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Clothing - Poor Condition
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Clothing - Undergarments - Poor Condition
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Coffee Pods - Compostable
Rigid compostable plastics are not accepted in organics cart.
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Coffee Pods - Metal/Plastic
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Cooking Oil/Grease/Fats
Small amounts OK in garbage cart.
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Corks - Plastic/Synthetic
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Dead Animals
For information on reporting a deceased animal on public property, visit: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/7398/Report-a-Deceased-Animal
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Disposable Diapers & Wipes - Used
Never flush or compost wipes.
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Dryer & Vacuum Lint
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Drywall
Small amounts that fit in cart with lid closed are ok in curbside garbage. (Check with your curbside hauler for weight limits.) Request a C&D Debris box if too heavy or too much for the garbage cart.
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Egg Cartons - Plastic
Clean, clear plastic egg cartons may be placed in recycling cart. Styrofoam egg cartons go in the garbage cart.
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Espresso Machines
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Eyeglasses
If eyeglasses are broken, put in the garbage cart. If not broken, consider donating.
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Facial Tissues - Used
Tissues without bodily fluids or chemicals ok in organics cart.
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Fire Hoses
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed. If too big for cart, call 510-262-7100 to schedule bulky item pick-up.
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Flooring - Non-working
Small amounts that fit in garbage cart with lid closed are ok. (Check with your curbside hauler for weight limits.) Request a C&D Debris box if too heavy or too much for the garbage cart.
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Foam Padding
Small amounts that fit in garbage cart with lid closed are ok. Request a C&D Debris box if too much for the garbage cart.
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Food Service Ware - Compostable Plastic - BPI Certified Products
Rigid compostable plastics belong in the garbage cart.
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Food Service Ware - Condiment Packets & Cups
Condiment packages are never recyclable.
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Food Service Ware - Paper Products - Poly-coated
Not recyclable or compostable due to mixed materials.
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Food Service Ware - Plastic Cups & Plates
Plastic cups ok in recyling cart, but not compostable plastic cups. Plastic plates belong in garbage cart.
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Food Service Ware - Plastic Utensils
Plastic utensils always go in the garbage cart. They are not recyclable or compostable.
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Food Service Ware - Styrofoam Products
All food service Styrofoam products go in garbage cart.
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Food Service Ware - To-Go Cup Lids
Cup lids always go in the garbage cart regardless of recycling code.
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Game Cartridges - Non-working
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Gel Ice Packs
Dispose intact, don't put down drain.
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Gift Tissue Paper
Metallic or glittery gift paper goes in garbage cart.
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Glassware - Decorative & Kitchen - Non-working
Drinking glasses and broken glass are not recyclable.
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Hair and Fur Trimmings
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Hearing Aids
Remove batteries prior to placing hearing aids in garbage cart.
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Hoses - Garden/Rubber - Non-working
Hoses of any kind are not recyclable.
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Houseware - Non-working
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Insulation - Used
Small amounts that fit in cart with lid closed are ok in curbside garbage. (Check with your curbside hauler for weight limits.) Request a C&D Debris box if too heavy or too much for the garbage cart.
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Jewelry
Consider donating first if reusable.
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Jewelry - Non-working
Consider reuse or repair before disposal. Metal jewelry can be taken to special recyclers.
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Kitchen Fixtures
Consider reuse first. If too large to fit in garbage cart with lid closed, call 510-262-7100 to schedule a bulky item pickup.
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Knives & Shears
All metal parts are ok in recycling cart.
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Lab Glassware - Poor Condition
Lab glass is not recyclable.
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Lava Rock
Consider reuse first. Small amounts that fit in cart with lid closed are ok in curbside garbage. (Check with your curbside hauler for weight limits.) Request a C&D Debris box if too heavy or too much for the garbage cart.
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Lead Paint Chips
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Lead-Painted Materials
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed.
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Leather Remnants & Scraps
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Light Bulbs - Incandescent/Halogen
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Lighting Fixtures - Non-working
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed. If too big for cart, call 510-262-7100 to schedule bulky item pick-up.
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Linens/Blankets/Towels - Poor Condition
Consider donating blankets and towels to animal shelters.
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Mannequins
Call 510-262-7100 to schedule bulky item pick-up.
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Manure
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Medals/Trophies/Ribbons
Try donating if possible.
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Metal Bottle Caps
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Metal Jar Lids
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Microscopes & Accessories - Non-working
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Milk & Ice Cream Paper Cartons
Plastic-coated cartons are not recyclable.
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Mirror
Mirror glass in non-recyclable.
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Mixed Debris
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Moving Boxes & Packing Materials
Consider reusing and donating whenever possible. Remove all packing material, flatten boxes, and place in your recycle cart. Recycle paper packing material. Plastic packing material goes in garbage cart.
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Multi-layer Plastic Packaging
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Musical Instruments & Gear - Non-working
Consider repair before disposal. Sell parts if applicable, otherwise place in garbage cart.
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Nail polish - Empty
Glass nail polish containers are not recyclable.
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Packing Peanuts - Styrofoam
Styrofoam cannot be recycled in curbside recycling programs.
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Paper - Carbon
Carbon paper in not recyclable.
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Paper - Plastic Laminated
Laminated paper is not recyclable.
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Paper Bags - Polycoated
Plastic-coated paper is not recyclable.
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Paper Receipts - Thermal
Thermal receipt paper is not recyclable.
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Personal Care & Beauty Product Packaging
Only clean, empty and dry bottles and boxes go in recycling cart. Tubes (e.g., toothpaste, ointment, lotions) go in your garbage cart. Rigid plastics #1-7 can be recycled.
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Personal Care & Beauty Products - Used
If not empty, place in garbage cart. Tubes (e.g., toothpaste, ointment, lotions) go in your garbage cart. Only empty, dry and clean bottles and boxes go in recycling cart.
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Pet Waste
Pet waste, even in a compostable bag, is prohibited from being placed in the organics cart.
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Photographs & Photo Paper
Photographs are not recyclable.
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Pillows - Poor Condition
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Plant Pots - Broken Ceramic/Terra Cotta
Consider reuse before disposal. Broken pieces can be used at the bottom of other plant pots to increase drainage.
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Plant Pots - Plastic
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Plastic Bubble Envelopes
Consider reuse first. Not recyclable.
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Plastic Corrugated Signs
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Plastic Packaging - Blisterpak
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Plastic Shower Curtain Liners
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Plastic Strapping
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Plastic Straws
Single-use disposable straws, or damaged silicone straws. Consider switching to reusable straws to protect wildlife.
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Plastic Tarps
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Plate Glass
Consider reuse before disposal. Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed. If too big for cart, call 510-262-7100 to request a bulky item pickup.
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Plexiglass
Plexiglass is not recyclable. Consider reuse before disposal. Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed.
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Plumbing Fixtures & Supplies
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Polyester Batting/Filling
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Pool Cover - Non-working
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed. If too big for cart, call 510-262-7100 to request a bulky item pickup.
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Purses & Backpacks - Non-working
Consider repair prior to disposal.
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PVC
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Radios - Non-working
Old style radios with dials (no digital displays) can be disposed of in the garbage. Take batteries out prior to putting in the garbage cart. Newer digital radios should be discarded as e-waste. Call 510-262-7100 to schedule bulky item pick-up.
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Rags - Paint/Chemical/Oil Soiled
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Records
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Reusable Bags
If no longer reusable, place in garbage cart.
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Roofing - Asphalt Composition Shingles
Small amounts that fit in cart with lid closed are ok in curbside garbage. (Check with your curbside hauler for weight limits.) Request a C&D Debris box if too heavy or too much for the garbage cart.
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Roofing - Clay Tile
Small amounts that fit in cart with lid closed are ok in curbside garbage. (Check with your curbside hauler for weight limits.) Request a C&D Debris box if too heavy or too much for the garbage cart.
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Roofing - Concrete Tile
Small amounts that fit in cart with lid closed are ok in curbside garbage. (Check with your curbside hauler for weight limits.) Request a C&D Debris box if too heavy or too much for the garbage cart.
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Roofing - Tar & Gravel
Small amounts that fit in cart with lid closed are ok in curbside garbage. (Check with your curbside hauler for weight limits.) Request a C&D Debris box if too heavy or too much for the garbage cart.
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Roofing - Wood Shingles
Small amounts that fit in cart with lid closed are ok in curbside garbage. (Check with your curbside hauler for weight limits.) Request a C&D Debris box if too heavy or too much for the garbage cart.
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Rubber Bands
Consider collecting for reuse.
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Rubber Items
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Rugs & Mats - Non-working
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Sawdust - Composite Wood/Painted Wood
Any wood waste from wood with paint, stains, glues and/or adhesives belongs in the garbage cart.
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Sewing Machines - Non-working
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed. If too big to fit in cart, call 510-262-7100 to schedule bulky item pick-up.
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Shoes - Poor Condition
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Single-use Personal Protective Equipment
Cut loops when disposing of masks, as wildlife are getting tangled, similar to 6-pack rings.
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Small Household Appliances - Non-working
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed. If too big for cart, call 510-262-7100 to request a bulky item pickup.
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Sponges - Synthetic
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Sporting Goods - Non-working
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed. If too big for cart, call 510-262-7100 to request a bulky item pickup.
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Stuffed Animals
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Styrofoam Blocks
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Styrofoam Sheets
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Tape
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Tea Bags
Remove metal or plastic prior to placing in organics cart; synthetic or plastic tea bags go in garbage cart.
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Telephones
Phones that don't use batteries and don't have displays may be put in the garbage. Phones with digital displays must be discarded as e-waste. Call 510-262-7100 to schedule bulky item pick-up.
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Tennis Balls
Teachers may accept balls with no bounce to cut and place on the bottom of their chairs.
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Tents and Outdoor Gear
Poor, damaged condition. Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed. If too big for cart, call 510-262-7100 to request a bulky item pickup.
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Tile
Small amounts that fit in cart with lid closed are ok in curbside garbage. (Check with your curbside hauler for weight limits.) Request a C&D Debris box if too heavy or too much for the garbage cart.
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Tire/Rubber Scraps
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed. If too big for cart, call 510-262-7100 to request a bulky item pickup.
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Tires - Bicycle
Must fit in cart with lid closed.
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Tools & Accessories - Garden - Non-working
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed.
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Tools & Accessories - Hand - Non-working
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Tools & Accessories - Power - Non-working
Remove battery prior to disposal. If too large to fit in garbage cart with lid closed, call 510-262-7100 to schedule bulky item pick-up.
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Toys & Games - Non-working
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Toys & Games - Plastic Parts Only
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Transparency Film Plastic
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Typewriters - Non-working
If too big to fit in garbage cart with lid closed, call 510-262-7100 to schedule bulky item pick-up.
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Tyvek
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Vacuum Cleaner Bags & Filters
Used condition. Donate new/unused vacuum cleaner bags and filters.
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Vacuum Cleaners - Non-working
If too big to fit in garbage cart with lid closed, call 510-262-7100 to schedule bulky item pick-up.
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Water Filters
Broken, damaged condition. Check to see if retailer has their own send-back recycling program.
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Wax & Parchment Paper
Wax paper is ok in the organics cart. Parchment paper is plastic-lined on one side and must go into the garbage cart.
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Wigs
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Window Screens
Consider repair and reuse before disposal.
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Window Treatments - Non-working
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Wood - Engineered/Composite
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed.
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Wood - Painted
Must fit in garbage cart with lid closed.
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Wrapping Paper - Metallic