Mixed Paper
YES-Any kind of paper such as newspaper, magazines, junk mail, phone books, paperback books, paperboard, cereal boxes, freezer food boxes, milk cartons.
NO-Soiled paper, diapers, tissue, etc.
PREPARATION-Paper should be clean (no food). Do not need to remove staples, paper clips or plastic windows in envelopes.
Shredded paper needs to be bagged to prevent it from blowing out of bins and/or the trailer during transport.
Cardboard
YES-Cardboard boxes (broken down), brown paper bags & other boxes.
NO-Waxed boxes such as banana boxes.
PREPARATION-Cardboard should be clean, no food (i.e. pizza boxes)
Plastic Bottles & Containers
YES-Plastic (bottles & containers), soda & juice bottles, milk jugs, detergent containers, and dairy containers such as yogurt, cottage cheese or butter containers.
NO-Plastic trays, Styrofoam or clamshell containers (such as strawberry or take-out containers where the container and lid are attached-they break and jam up the sorting machines), or plastic bags (plastic bags can be recycled at most grocery store locations).
PREPARATION-Rinse containers. Do not need to remove lids or labels.
Just because it's plastic, doesn't mean it's recyclable. Look for the following symbols, usually found on the bottom of the container.
Aluminum Cans & Metal Cans
YES-Aluminum beverage containers, metal food containers and empty aerosol cans.
NO-bulk metal, car parts, bed frames, or other various metals**
PREPARATION-Rinse cans. Do not need to remove labels.
**Have used appliances or other large metal items, please call Patrick at 615-719-0877 or Scott at 615-973-9368 to arrange a pickup.
We are now accepting cell phones, ink & toner cartridges, and computers! Please put them in a separate bag, bin or box so they don't get mixed in with the Single Stream materials (paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum & steel cans).
Exceptions are few, but noteworthy. No Styrofoam or paper products that are food contaminated (i.e. pizza boxes). Although we do not accept Styrofoam products or plastic grocery bags, they can still be recycled. Publix Grocery Stores have green recycling containers outside of their stores. One is for plastic grocery bags, one for paper bags and one for foam containers (i.e. egg cartons and polystyrene trays).