Recycling
Recyclable Materials
Residents can fill their recycling containers with the same items that have been placed in the blue bags and bins:
- Newspapers, newspaper inserts, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, paperboard, cardboard, office paper and phones books
- All food and beverage glass bottles and jars
- Plastic bottles and jugs - (no polystyrene or styrofoam)
- Empty aerosol containers
- Aluminum, tin and steel cans
- Wax paper cartons - (milk cartons, juice boxes, etc.)
For more information, check out the City's Recycling Flyer (PDF).
Other Tips & Procedures
- Before placing bottles, cans and jars inside the containers, bins or the blue recycling bags, residents should rinse the materials.
- All paper materials should be placed directly into the bins. Cardboard boxes can be flattened and placed in containers or under bins to maximize space.
- To assure pick-up, place all recyclables next to your trash cans by 7 am on their scheduled collection day.
How Long Does It Take to Break Down
- Paper Towel - 2 to 4 weeks
- Banana Peel - 3 to 4 weeks
- Paper Bag - 1 month
- Apple Core - 2 months
- Orange Peel - 6 months
- Milk Carton - 5 years
- Tin/Steel Can - 50 years
- Foam Plastic Cup - 200 to 400 years
- Plastic Bottle - 450 years
- Plastic Bag - 200 to 1000 years
Each resident receiving an individual City sanitation bill will be charged a recycling fee.
Recycling Rates Effective October 1, 2023
| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| Alley / Curbside Service | $4.65 |
| Carry-Out Service | $7.33 |
Recycle Using City-Marked Bins & Blue Bags Only
City sanitation personnel have confidence that the material in the blue recycling bags is intended for recycling. The City-marked containers and bins provide crews with that same level of confidence. Residents are urged not to place recycling material in any thing other than the City-marked containers, bins or blue recycling bags. Blue recycling bags can be purchased at any local grocery or drugstore.
Get Blue Containers & Blue Bags
32-Gallon Recycling Containers
For $30 residents can now exchange their existing 18-gallon recycling bin for a 32-gallon recycling container with a tight-fitting lid. The lid keeps contents dry and prevents materials like newspapers from blowing away. Those who don't want to exchange their 18-gallon recycling bin can purchase a 32-gallon bin for $40. Residents should note that the new containers must comply with the same City Code provisions that apply to trash containers. Specifically, the 32-gallon containers cannot be placed in the alley right-of-way and their lids must be attached to a fence or other permanent object.
Requesting a 32-Gallon Recycling Container
Residents can request one of the new recycling containers by calling 311 or by submitting an online service request.
Once a request has been made, the new container will be delivered to the alley or regular trash collection location for that particular address. The trade-in bin should be left for a sanitation crew member to collect at that same location. The $30 charge for the new container will be added to the resident's next utility bill. While residents are still allowed to deposit recycling material in the more familiar blue bags and bins, residents should fill their containers or bins first and then use the blue bags.
Additional Containers
Additional containers can be purchased for $40. This includes residents who:
- Want to use more than one container
- Want to replace a container that has been lost or damaged
- Have just moved to University Park
For More Information
Residents may request additional information regarding recycling operations by calling 214-987-5451. Phone calls will be answered between 8 am and 5 pm on weekdays.