Throwing things in the recycling bin that do not belong there only contaminates the recycling stream and reduces what gets recycled. Remember – when in doubt, throw it out. Not sure how to dispose of an item? OCRRA is here to help.

Review our recycling rules brochure or plug a word into the “How do I get rid of” page to search our database and find the right way to get rid of all sorts of materials, from electronics to yard waste.

Various paper items

Paper

Recycling bin icon

Curbside
Recycling

Blue caution icon

Don’t Bag
Recyclables

  • Newspapers, magazines, catalogs and softcover books
    Keep loose, don’t tie.
  • Papers and mail (including window envelopes)
  • Boxes: cardboard, takeout pizza, pasta, cereal, etc. (no boxes that go in the fridge or freezer)
    Empty and flatten.
Green car icon

Drop Off
to Recycle

Red trash can icon

Trash

  • Frozen and refrigerated food boxes
  • Soda/beer boxes
  • Takeout or fast-food boxes
  • Egg cartons (any type)
  • Items with glitter or foil
  • Plates and cups
  • Tissue paper
  • Hardcover books
Various plastic items

Plastic

(Ignore numbers;
recycle by shape)

Recycling bin icon

Curbside
Recycling

Blue caution icon

Don’t Bag
Recyclables

  • Bottles: beverage, soap, shampoo, squeeze, spray, etc. (no bottles that held toxics)
    Empty, rinse and reattach cap.
  • Jars: mayonnaise, sauce, nuts, parmesan cheese, jelly, etc.
    Empty, rinse and reattach cap.
  • Jugs (items with a handle): milk, orange juice, water, laundry detergent, etc.
    Empty, rinse and reattach cap.
  • Stackable tubs (dairy/dairy alternative only): butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.
    Empty, rinse and reattach lid.
Green car icon

Drop Off
to Recycle

  • Plastic bags (clean and dry)
    Recycle at large grocery and retail stores.
  • Electronics
    Visit ocrra.org/ewaste for details.
Red trash can icon

Trash

  • Any plastics not listed above
  • Tanglers: cords, hoses, etc.
  • “Clamshells”: berry, salad, bakery cartons
  • Takeout or fast-food boxes
  • Disposable cups and utensils
  • Prescription vials
  • Diapers, wipes and toys
  • Containers that held toxics
Various metal items

Metal

Recycling bin icon

Curbside
Recycling

Blue caution icon

Don’t Bag
Recyclables

  • Food and beverage cans
    Empty, rinse and place lid inside can.
  • Aluminum foil and disposable aluminum pans and plates
    Must be clean and wadded up.
  • Aerosol cans
    Must be empty. No cans that held toxics; they should go in the trash.
Green car icon

Drop Off
to Recycle

Red trash can icon

Trash

  • Any metals not listed above
  • Needles (need special prep) Visit ocrra.org/sharps
  • Small appliances: toasters, vacuums, etc.
  • Combination metal-cardboard canisters: peanuts, cocoa, oatmeal, coffee, etc.
  • Empty metal paint cans
Various glass items

Glass

Recycling bin icon

Curbside
Recycling

Blue caution icon

Don’t Bag
Recyclables

  • Food containers: salsa, jam, sauce, salad dressing, etc.
    Empty, rinse and reattach lid.
  • Beverage bottles (any color)
    Empty, rinse and reattach cap.
Green car icon

Drop Off
to Recycle

Red trash can icon

Trash

  • Broken glass
  • Drinking glasses
  • Dishes and mugs
  • Ovenware and ceramics
  • Window and picture glass
  • Mirrors

Each year, Onondaga County residents recycle over 70 million pounds of material in our recycling bins. 56% of our waste material is actually recycled!

Recycling FAQS

Blue recycle bin icon

Q: Can I bag or bundle recyclables?

A: Never put recyclables in paper or plastic bags. Do not tie items together. Keep everything loose in your recycling bin for proper sorting at the recycling facility.

Q: Do plastic bags go in the trash or the recycling bin?

A: Never in the recycling bin. They are difficult to manage at the facility where recyclables are sorted. Instead, drop off plastic bags at local stores for recycling.

Q: Do egg cartons go in the trash or the recycling bin?

A: Always put egg cartons in the trash, including Styrofoam, plastic and paper packaging. Paper pulp cartons have been recycled so many times, the fibers needed for recycling are too thin and weak.

Recycling Bin Details

In Onondaga County, recycling often starts with a recycling bin. It provides residents with an easy way to collect recyclables and put them out to the curb, ensuring those items end up in the right place. Since we have single-stream recycling in Onondaga County, you should put loose recyclable paper, glass, metal, and plastic containers in the same bin. Never put any recyclables (including paper) inside of paper or plastic bags. Bags cannot be opened at the facility where recyclables are sorted. Recyclables trapped inside bags will not be sorted properly and become trash.

Need a new recycling bin?

Blue bins are no longer the preferred method for collecting curbside recyclables. Most municipalities in Onondaga County are transitioning to covered recycling carts on wheels that reduce litter, hold more recyclables and protect materials from damaging rain and snow.

Blue bins are no longer being distributed by OCRRA. A plan to slowly phase out the agency’s blue bin supplies was announced in 2022, to give municipalities and haulers ample time to explore and implement alternatives.

Residents who hire a private hauler who still uses blue bins (not wheeled carts) can contact them for guidance. If your municipality manages curbside recycling collection or contracts with a hauler on your behalf, contact your municipality’s main office for guidance. See the list below for details.

If you need to get rid of a broken blue bin, click here for disposal options.

If you need to get rid of a lidded recycling cart on wheels, see the list below to contact your municipality/hauler for guidance.


Municipality Phone Location Notes
City of Syracuse (315) 448-2489 N/A Call for details.
Town of Camillus (315) 488-1234 N/A No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Town of Cicero (315) 752-1180 8236 South Main St. or 6658 Route 31, Cicero ext. 334. Call prior to pick up.
Town of Clay (315) 652-3800 4483 Route 31, Clay Pick-up only.
Town of Dewitt (315) 437-8331 5953 Butternut Drive, East Syracuse (off Manlius Center Road) Pick-up only.
Town of Elbridge (315) 689-3351 210 Main St., Elbridge Pick-up only.
Town of Fabius (315) 683-5612 N/A No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Town of Geddes (315) 488-7705 654 Terry Rd., Syracuse Pick-up only.
Town of Lafayette (315) 677-3674 N/A No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Town of Lysander (315) 638-4264 8220 Loop Road, Baldwinsville Pick-up only.
Town of Manlius (315) 656-3090 5970 Clemons Rd. (off Highway 290), East Syracuse No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Town of Marcellus (315) 673-3127 4262 Slate Hill Rd. (off Route 175) or 24 E. Main St., Marcellus Must call ahead to schedule pick up appointment.
Town of Onondaga (315) 469-1664 4478 West Seneca Tpke., Syracuse Pick-up only.
Town of Otisco (315) 696-8753 4283 Canty Hill Rd., Tully Pick-up only.
Town of Pompey (315) 682-9544 N/A No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Town of Salina (315) 457-2710 601 Factory Ave. (Route 298 off Route 11), Syracuse No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Town of Spafford (315) 673-3906 1984 Route 174 (off Rose Hill Rd.), Skaneateles Pick-up only.
Town of Tully (315) 696-8861 6 Douglas St. No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Town of Van Buren (315) 635-3010 7575 Van Buren Rd., Baldwinsville Pick-up only.
Village of Baldwinsville (315) 635-9665 1963 West Genesee Rd., Baldwinsville Pick-up only.
Village of Camillus (315) 672-3484 37 W. Genesee St., Camillus Delivery available.
Village of East Syracuse (315) 437-3541 204 North Center St. (off Hartwell Ave./Manlius St.), East Syracuse Pick-up only.
Village of Elbridge (315) 689-3404 210 West Main St. (off Route 5), Elbridge No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Village of Fabius (315) 683-5112 N/A No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Village of Fayetteville (315) 637-6065 5572 N. Manlius St., Fayetteville No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Village of Jordan (315) 689-7350 7 Mechanic St., Jordan Pick-up only.
Village of Liverpool (315) 457-1882 310 Sycamore St., Liverpool Delivery available.
Village of Manlius (315) 682-7634 N/A No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Village of Marcellus (315) 673-3112 6 Slocombe Ave., Marcellus Pick-up only.
Village of Minoa (315) 656-7574 100 Kalin Dr., Minoa Delivery available.
Village of North Syracuse (315) 458-0790 N/A No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.
Village of Solvay (315) 468-1606 3143 Milton Ave., Solvay Must call ahead to schedule pick up appointment.
Village of Tully (315) 696-8861 N/A No blue bins. Call for recycling cart details.