City of Madison Logo
Image: Streets Header

Common Recycling Errors

On average 8.3% of the material that is put in Madison's green recycling carts cannot be recycled.  This material is removed at the recycling plant and sent to the landfill.  This misplaced trash costs Madison taxpayers $89,000 to toss out in 2006.

The Streets Division recently sorted through recyclables we collected looking for some of the common mistakes Madison recyclers make.  Here are the most common items that residents put in their recycling carts that should have been put in the trash.

Material That Cannot Be Recycled

Glass

BadGlass

Broken glasses, light bulbs, mirrors and windows should go directly into your tan refuse cart.

Metal

BadMetal

Scrap metal such as this bar, shelving, and automobile parts should not be placed in your recycling cart.  They can be brought to a drop off site for recycling.  To learn more.....

Styrofoam

Styrofoam

STYROFOAM CANNOT BE RECYCLED.

All Styrofoam should be placed in your tan refuse cart. 

Plastic Packaging

BadPlasticBlister

Plastic blister packaging like this cannot be recycled.  It should go directly in your tan refuse cart.

Rigid Plastics

BadPlasticRadio              BadPlasticHard

BadPlasticRigid2

Hard, rigid plastic should not be put in your green recycling cart.  You can recycle it at our drop off sites.  To learn more....

Plastic Bags and Film

BadPlastic Film

Plastic bags, sheet plastic and plastic film should be placed in your tan refuse cart.

Cups

BadCups

All cups, paper or plastic cannot be recycled.  They should be put in your tan refuse cart.