Spokane Municipal Code

Title 13 Public Utilities and Services

Chapter 13.02 Solid Waste

Article IV. Recycling

Section 13.02.0406 Materials Included in Residential Curbside Recycling Collection

Materials in the residential curbside program are subject to change, upon order of the director, depending upon market conditions and other variables. Materials included in the residential curbside program at this time are:

1. Newsprint.
   1. Any and all daily or periodical newspaper and all that is included with it is acceptable.
   2. Newspapers are not to be wet, except due to weather conditions incidental to collection, dirty or otherwise contaminated with any foreign substance or liquid.
   3. Newspaper can be put in paper bags or bundled.
       
2. Aluminum.
   1. Aluminum beverage cans of all sorts are acceptable, as are aluminum pet food cans or other similar cans.
   2. Cans are to be drained of all liquids and free of all food residue.
   3. Aluminum containers are to be flattened, when possible, with plastic and paper labels discarded.
   4. Other aluminum materials, such as clean foil, will be collected.
       
3. Tin Cans.
   1. Tin food containers of all sorts are acceptable.
   2. Cans are to be drained of all liquids and cleaned of all food residue.
   3. Preferably tin cans are to have both tops and bottoms removed and the ends placed inside flattened can.
   4. Round bottom cans are to have tops placed inside with the top half flattened.
   5. Paper and plastic labels are to be discarded.
   6. Small amounts of ferrous metals will be collected, which must fit into the cart.
       
4. Glass Bottles and Jars.
   1. All types of glass beverage bottles and glass food jars, brown, green and clear are acceptable.
   2. All glass bottles and jars are to be drained and free of all food or organic substance.
   3. Lids and caps are to be discarded.
   4. All glass containers placed in the recycling cart are not to be broken or cracked and be without any sharp edges.
   5. No other type of glass will be collected.
       
5. Plastic Containers.
   1. All plastic bottles, jugs, or containers identified as recyclables, codes one through seven, are acceptable.
   2. All containers are to be drained and free of all foreign substance.
   3. All containers are to have their caps and lids discarded and should be flattened.
   4. No automotive containers or other types of plastics that contain hazardous materials will be collected.
       
6. Household Batteries.
   1. Both button cell and household batteries of all sorts and types are acceptable.
   2. Household batteries are to be placed in a sealed transparent plastic bag and placed on top of the cart lid.
       
7. Cardboard and Brown Paper Bags.
   1. Corrugated cardboard, brown or “kraft” paper bags, chipboard cardboard, such as cereal boxes and shoe boxes, and cardboard-like egg cartons and packing material are acceptable.
   2. Cardboard shall not be contaminated with oil, grease or any food residue.
       
8. Magazines.
   1. Any and all types of daily or periodical magazines are acceptable.
   2. Magazines are not to be wet, dirty or otherwise contaminated with any foreign substance or liquid.
       
9. Mixed Office Pack Paper.
   1. All types of computer paper, white and colored copier paper, envelopes, fax paper, brochures, file folders, manila envelopes, direct mailings, magazines, newspaper and corrugated cardboard are acceptable.
   2. Mixed office paper is not to include waxed or plastic coated papers, tapes and pressure-sensitive labels.
       
10. Contaminated Recyclables
    1. Recyclables contaminated with greater than ten percent of solid waste will be billed and treated as solid waste.
    2. No hot ashes will be accepted.

Date Passed: Monday, November 26, 2012

Effective Date: Tuesday, January 1, 2013

ORD C34938 Section 23