A guide to keeping scary non‑recyclables out of the blue bin
This Halloween season, keep the spookiness out of our community's recycling bins by throwing away items that don't belong. From costume packaging to post-party trash, it's easy to toss the wrong things into the blue bin. These "scary" recycling habits can lead to contamination, equipment damage, and wasted materials.
Here are the top fright‑inducing items and how to keep them out of recycling:
Batteries and electronics
Battery-powered decorations and small electronics may reach the end of their spooky life, but the recycling bin is not their graveyard. Certain batteries and electronics require special handling due to fire risks and should be taken to approved drop-off sites like one of the County's five Community Collection Centers.
Tanglers (cords, hoses, ropes, and lights)
String lights and plug-in inflatables are common Halloween decorations to break down first. Placing them in recycling bins is a guaranteed way to tangle machinery by wrapping around equipment and halting operations. These "tanglers" should be kept far away from curbside recycling.
Plastic bags
Grocery bags, shopping bags, and the thin plastic bags used for costumes and accessories may seem harmless, but they're a recycling nightmare. These plastics tangle in equipment and should never be placed in curbside bins. Reuse them when possible or take clean bags to designated store drop‑off locations.
Other plastics
Bubble mailers, plastic takeout containers, utensils, straws, and many single‑use plastics are frequent offenders. But beware! These items cannot be processed. When in doubt, throw it out to avoid a recycling nightmare!
Clothing and costumes
Before or after digging into your closet for the perfect spooky outfit, remember shirts, pants, shoes, costumes, and even bedding like those classic ghost sheets are not recyclable. Donate gently used items or dispose of worn-out pieces in the trash.
Items with food or liquids
After the Halloween party fades, the leftovers can cause big problems. Un‑rinsed cans and containers with food residue contaminate recyclable materials. Ensure cans and containers are rinsed before recycling.
Foam packaging and containers
Foam cups, plates, egg cartons, and takeout containers may be common in party cleanup, but they are not accepted in Hillsborough County's curbside recycling program. Don't be a goblin, dispose of foam in the trash where it belongs.
This Halloween, don't let frightening recycling habits haunt your home. By keeping contaminants out of the blue bin, you help protect workers, equipment, and the environment. Keep it clean, keep it simple, and keep the spooky stuff where it belongs.
Visit HCFL.gov/Recycling for more information or email Recycling@HCFL.gov with any questions.
Hillsborough County services are paid for in part by property taxes. Learn more at HCFL.gov/PropertyTax.