Throw Out Bad Recycling Habits

We believe in reusing and reduction of single-use items whenever possible, with proper disposal (including recycling right) when necessary.

Annually, Bexley residents send tons of material to the Franklin County Landfill. Even more surprising is that nearly 70% of all the material in the landfill could have been recycled or composted.

By taking just a few minutes to recycle right, you help to reduce pollution, contribute to clean water, conserve limited natural resources and reduce central Ohio’s reliance on landfills.

It’s really quite simple. If the item is shown as acceptable in the image above, you can put it in your single stream recycling toter. If not, trash it. It’s better to toss than wishcycle; when in doubt, throw it out. Print this image and place it near your recycling receptacle for a reminder.

If you have any questions about what or can’t be recycled through our curbside program, ask us!

To learn more about what can be recycled as part of municipal recycling and to learn what happens once your recycling is picked up, visit Rumpke’s website. SWACO’s Recycle Right Website also has information on acceptable curbside items, as well as resources on difficult to recycle materials. Click here to find out about Columbus’ recycling.

Quiz yourself here. Uh, oh. Not sure where to throw? Earth911.org and SWACO can help you out.

Rumpke Expands Acceptable Recycling Items List

Examples of acceptable cups include paper and plastic beverage cups from fast-food restaurants (Starbucks, McDonalds, etc.), plastic souvenir cups, and Ball brand aluminum cups. Additional guidelines include:

  • Plastic lids should be reattached to plastic cups.

  • Plastic lids from paper cups should be removed and discarded.

  • Straws and stoppers are not accepted.

  • Colorful Solo brand cups are not accepted. These cups are made from polystyrene and Rumpke currently does not have a secure, long-term end user for this material.

  • Ceramic and glass cups are not accepted. In fact, they can be damaging to the glass recovery process.

  • K-cups are not accepted.


Paper cups processed at Rumpke’s recycling facilities will be made into cardboard and paperboard products, plastic cups will be used to make new plastic containers and aluminum cups will be made into aluminum cans.
Rumpke customers can recycle the following items:

  • Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs (butter, sour cream, cottage cheese tubs as well as yogurt and fruit and yogurt cups) and disposable plastic cups, NOT Solo cups

  • Cartons

  • Glass bottles and jars (any color)

  • Aluminum cups and cans and steel cans

  • Paper, paper board (cereal boxes, 12-pack containers, mail, etc.), cardboard and paper cups (paper cups not accepted in the Cleveland Region)


All items should be clean, empty and placed in recycling containers loose to ensure they can be properly sorted and recycled.