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Single-Family Recycling Cart Tagging Project
A 2022 study found that 57% of items placed in San José single-family recycling carts were not recyclable. Beginning March 2024, a new initiative provides direct and household-specific feedback through cart tags to improve recycled material recovery and reduce the quantity of materials landfilled.
City staff are checking recycling carts placed curbside on collection days from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. City staff are reviewing contents that are visible at the top to determine if there are non-recyclables or dirtied recyclables with left-over food and/or liquid. Depending on what is found, residents may receive an “Oops!” tag for non-recyclables or soiled recyclables, or a “Good Job!” tag for recycling properly. These feedback tags are intended to serve as an educational piece to increase the amount of clean recyclables collected and to inform future initiatives.
All tagged carts will be collected unless Household Hazardous Waste is found. If Household Hazardous Waste (such as batteries, electronic devices with embedded batteries, paint, motor oil cans, and aerosol cans) is present, the recycling service provider will leave a Non-Collection Notice tag.
(Click on the images to view the full tags)
Three tips to Recycle Right
Recycling can be confusing. Here are three easy tips:
- Keep recyclables loose; do not bag recyclables.
- Recycle plastics #1-5 and #7 (unless labeled compostable).
- Empty and scrape containers before recycling.
Look up what’s recyclable at SanJoseRecycles.org.
Please provide feedback by taking our survey.
Questions? Contact us at (408) 975-2550 or via email to ZeroWaste@sanjoseca.gov.