What do I do with...?

Panels made from a variety of materials designed to reduce noise. Most vendors will accept mineral fiber-based tiles that are free of contaminants but will not accept cast tile, fiberglass board, ceramic-based tiles or laminated tiles. Some acoustic ceiling tiles are asbestos containing material - see PSCAA.

Agricultural plastic includes empty plastic pesticide containers, plastic twine, irrigation pipe, bale wrap, mulch film and other plastic films. Some plastic recyclers will accept agricultural plastics. For better recycling, keep like items together, as dry and clean as possible and out of the sunlight.

Asbestos-containing waste means any material containing more than one percent (1%) asbestos, as determined using the method specified in EPA regulations Appendix E, Subpart E, 40 CFR Part 763, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy. Common asbestos-containing materials include: thermal system insulation, spray-applied surfacing (fireproofing, insulation, decorative), sheet vinyl flooring and associated felt backing, cement asbestos-board siding. See PSCAA's Asbestos Survey Guidance for a more complete list.

Shingles composed of a felt mat saturated with asphalt, with small rock granules added, commonly referred to as "three-tab."  Some roofing that appears to be asphalt may be asbestos containing material, such as built-up roofing (see PSCAA).

Read more about King County LinkUp's efforts to increase asphalt shingle recycling.

Includes bicycles and bicycle parts (inner tubes, tires, seats, etc.) that are in working order and those that can be fixed with a reasonable amount of effort for re-sale or donation. 

If your bike is beyond repair, put it in the bicycle bin at Bow Lake or Shoreline, or in the scrap metal bin at Enumclaw, Factoria, or Vashon transfer station (if made of 50% or more metal).

Button batteries include small button or coin-sized batteries used in watches, digital thermometers, hearing aids, etc.

A thick, heavy covering for a floor, usually made of woven wool or synthetic fibers. Carpet and carpet padding are considered construction and demolition (C&D) materials.

The padding material placed under carpet, often made of small pieces of foam rubber. Carpet and carpet padding are considered construction and demolition (C&D) materials.

Includes wireless mobile telephones (cell phones or smart phones), personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, smart watches and other personal mobile devices.

Cleaning products include items such as ammonia, bleach, drain opener, furniture polish, oven cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner. Product labels may include "Danger", "Warning", "Poison", "Caustic" or "Flammable."

Products made from natural and synthetic fabrics, fibers, or materials (such as cotton, wool, silk, woven nylon, rayon, polyester and leather), including clothing (textiles), shoes and other footwear, hats, belts, bags, rags, stuffed animal toys, curtains, towels, pillows, sheets, linens, and other fabrics and fabric scraps - most can be reused or recycled through nonprofits, thrift stores, or collection boxes.

Internal wall material made of a sheet of gypsum covered on both sides with a paper facing and a paperboard backing. Drywall is also referred to as gypsum board, wallboard, plasterboard and sheetrock.

Fats, oils, and grease includes used cooking oil.

Worn, damaged or torn U.S. Flags can be properly disposed of by the VFW.

The box (usually black) inside fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) light fixtures that activate the lights. Until 1979, virtually all ballasts were made with capacitors that contained polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Foam blocks are packaging materials made of polystyrene, expanded polystyrene (EPS, also known as Styrofoam™), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam. Polystyrene includes foam materials such as egg cartons and fruit packaging. EPS and expanded polyethylene blocks are commonly used in the packing of electronic products and may be recyclable.

Packing peanuts are the small Styrofoam™ (polystyrene) “peanuts” found in many packages shipped through the mail. Many gift stores or shipping centers will accept clean packing peanuts free of charge to reuse in packaging or shipping.

Food waste includes spoiled, expired, or otherwise inedible food. Food waste and soiled paper can be recycled with yard waste (in areas with this service) and collected at your curb, composted or taken by a disposal service provider for a fee.

Illegal dumping is the improper disposal of waste on public or private property.

In addition to being an eyesore, junk vehicles can damage the environment.

Paint that has a latex binder and can be removed with water while it is wet. Latex paint is also known as water-based paint.

Buy only as much paint as you need for a particular job. Use this paint calculator to figure out exactly how much paint to buy.

Medicines include unwanted, left over, or expired prescription or over the counter medicines, drugs, pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, medications, anesthetics, antibiotics, antiseptics, balms, pills, capsules, ointments, salves, sedatives, serums, tablets, tinctures, tonics, or vaccines. Also includes medications for household pets.

Mercury-containing equipment means a device or part of a device that contains elemental mercury necessary for its operation, such as thermostats, thermometers, manometers, switches, mercury regulators, meters, pressure relief gauges, water treatment pressure gauges, and sprinkler system contacts.

Container glass not sorted into color or grade categories.

Various grades of paper, including junk mail, magazines, catalogs, soft cover books, phone books, cereal boxes and wrapping paper*.

To opt out of receiving unsolicited mail (junk mail), catalogs, or phone books, use the phone book publishers’ opt-out service or catalog choice.

*Wrapping paper without foreign materials can be included in curbside recycling. However, wrapping paper that is heavily dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as gold and silver metallic lining, glitter and plastics cannot be recycled.

Many other types of plastic, such as vinyl banners, disposable Tyvek® clothing (shoe and boot covers, coveralls, hoods, lab coats, aprons, sleeves and pants), and large quantities of other plastics may be recyclable, typically on a case-by-case basis.

Motor vehicle batteries, or car batteries, are also known as lead acid batteries.

Oil-based paints are made with either alkyd (synthetic) or linseed (natural) oils. Oil-based paint cleanup requires turpentine or paint thinner (mineral spirits). Includes stains and clear coatings, urethane paints and coatings, lacquers, epoxy paints and coatings.

Buy only as much paint as you need for a particular job. Use this paint calculator to figure out exactly how much paint to buy.

Over-length is defined as 8 feet long and made from a rigid material, such as pipe or lumber. Oversized is defined as 2’x2’x2’ and over 200 lbs., such as a wood stoves, safes, hot tubs, or stumps. Other oversized items may include boats, motor homes, campers, trailers, and similar large objects.

Paint thinner, solvents such as turpentine, and cleaning agents are used to thin oil-based paint and/or clean up after their use.

Wooden platforms on which materials are stacked for storage and shipping, they are reusable, repairable, or recyclable.

Pesticides and herbicides include items such as lawn, garden or house plant insect killers; weed killers; rat poison; slug bait; and ant- or roach-control chemicals.

Bound yellow or white pages typically printed on low-grade paper.

To opt out of junk mail, catalogs, or phone books, use the phone book publishers’ opt-out service or catalog choice.

A mixture of cement or gypsum plaster with sand, perlite or vermiculite, and sometimes lime to form an interior wet wall system when applied to lath work or plasterboard. Some plaster container ingredients list may include the specific asbestos mineral, such as crysotile (see PSCAA).

Plastic film includes dry cleaning bags, bread bags, newspaper bags, pallet wrap, and shrink wrap as well as plastic grocery bags. This does not include biodegradable or compostable bags.

Empty, clean and dry plastic bags and plastic wrap can be recycled at our Shoreline and Bow Lake recycling and transfer stations. Do not put them in your curbside recycling bin as these thin plastic materials get tangled in equipment at recycling facilities. When dropping bags or film off at a plastics recycler, shake or wipe them clean and place the plastic bags or wrap into the collection bin.

Round or square pots made from a variety of different kinds of plastic and used for transporting garden plants and seedlings.

Many nurseries and garden stores accept plastic nursery (plant) pots for reuse or recycling, seasonally and in certain sizes – contact your local store where plants are sold.

Plastic office supplies include transparencies (such as overhead transparencies used in classrooms) and Tyvek® Envelopes (thin, water/rip resistant plastic envelopes). Some office supply businesses and manufacturers may take back their products for recycling or through mail-in programs.

A durable, non-absorbent ceramic that is fired at the highest kiln temperatures. It is often found as porcelain, toilets, sinks and ceramic tiles. Black coating on the underside of sinks may contain asbestos (see PSCAA).

Metal tanks used to store compressed gases such propane (typically used with a barbecue grill), helium, or oxygen.

Radioactive waste is not accepted at King County Solid Waste facilities.

Rechargeable batteries are nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride and lithium ion. These batteries are typically found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys.

A variety of items including but not limited to cabinets, doors, fencing, floor coverings, hardware and fixtures, plumbing and pipe, roofing, siding and windows that are in reusable or salvageable condition.

Reusable medical equipment includes items such as walkers, wheelchairs, crutches and canes, shower chairs, bed rails, CPAPs, and oximeters.

Various types of paper and confidential documents that have been shredded.

Shredded paper should be put in a plastic bag, tied, and placed in your garbage cart. You can also reduce the amount of paper you shred or check with your city or local businesses for "shred events" in your area.

Solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) modules provide renewable energy and can have a lifespan of decades.

Cans made of steel or tin typically used to contain food or beverages.

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), also known as an uninterruptible power source or a battery backup, is a device that keeps computers running for a short period of time after a power failure. The device usually derives its power from lead-acid batteries – locations that recycle vehicle batteries usually also recycle UPS batteries.

A pebble-like, pour-in (or blown-in) product that is light-brown or gold in color. Some vermiculite attic insulation may contain asbestos fibers.

Clean wood includes wood that is untreated, unstained and unpainted such as: construction lumber, pallets, plywood, OSB, particle board (also known as particleboard, low-density fiberboard (LDF), and chipboard), and branches.

Wood that is, or has ever been, pressure treated, stained, or painted, regardless of age or weathering, is not recyclable and should be disposed of as garbage. Railroad ties, which are treated with creosote, must be properly disposed - contact the designated C&D waste transfer facilities.