Food Scraps
Trash
The best option is to compost food scraps at home if you are able to. If not, please place them in the trash. Food scraps will be sorted from the trash and turned into compost at Santa Barbara County’s ReSource Center.
Plastic Bags
Trash
Plastic bags and other film plastics (plastic that easily crumples in your hand) are easily contaminated with food and liquid, so they need to go in the trash. Please do NOT use a plastic bag to contain your recyclables! To learn more about Ablitt’s film plastics drop off program, click here.
Snack Wrappers
Trash
Snack wrappers are a type of film plastic (plastic that easily crumples in your hand) that are easily contaminated with food and liquid, so they need to go in the trash. Examples include candy, cookie, and chip wrappers.
Plastic Food Cups/Lids
Trash
These low-grade food plastics have a long history of being contaminated with food and liquid, so they are undesirable for recyclers, regardless of size. If you can’t avoid using this packaging altogether, then try to reuse them before throwing them away. Examples include yogurt, salsa, sour cream, and cream cheese.
Plastic Clam Shells
Trash
These low-grade food plastics have a long history of being contaminated with food and liquid, so they are undesirable for recyclers. If you can’t avoid using this packaging altogether, then try to reuse them before throwing them away.
Styrofoam
Trash or FREE Drop Off
Expanded Polystyrene foam, commonly referred to as Styrofoam, is extremely difficult to recycle from a curbside collection program because it is lightweight and easily breaks apart. Place Styrofoam in your trash unless you are able to drop it off at one of our recycling centers.
Garden Hoses
Trash
Garden and irrigation hoses are generally considered to be at the end of their life, so they are very difficult to recycle.
Cold Beverage Cups
Trash
These low-grade plastics have a long history of being contaminated with liquid, so they are undesirable for recyclers, regardless of size. Reusable cups are the best option.
"Compostable" or "Biodegradable" Plastic
Trash
Many “compostable” plastics do not break down at The ReSource Center’s anaerobic digester. All “compostable” plastic belongs in your trash.
[Photo credit: “I am not a plastic cup” by aaron.bihari / CC BY-SA]
Plastic Cup Lids
Trash
These lids are too flimsy to be worthwhile for recyclers. Reusable cups are the best option.
Plastic Cutlery
Trash
This cutlery is too small and weak to be worthwhile for recyclers. Switch to reusables, and be sure to keep a reusable travel set for carry out orders on the go.
Empty Pill Bottles
Trash
If the empty pill bottle is smaller than 6″ it should be placed in the trash. If you wish to dispose of unwanted medication, please refer to this page for more information.
Coffee Pods
Trash
Coffee pods or capsules are comprised of multiple types of materials, like plastic and aluminum, so they are nearly impossible to recycle.
CD and DVD Cases
Trash
These plastic cases are not rigid enough for recyclers, and they are often comprised of mixed plastics. Try to donate CDs & DVDs, along with their cases, prior to disposing of them.
CDs or DVDs
Trash
CDs and DVDs are comprised of layers of metal and plastic, which makes them impossible to recycle. Try to donate or repurpose dics for craft projects prior to disposing of them.
Tapes
Trash
Tapes are comprised of different types of plastics, so they are nearly impossible to recycle.
PVC Pipes
Trash
PVC pipes can be placed in your trash container as long as they fit inside with the lids closed. Large PVC pipes can be dropped off for a fee at the Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station.
Photographs
Trash
Photographs are comprised of different types of materials, so they are nearly impossible to recycle.
Napkins & Paper Towels
Trash
These items are so thin, there is not enough paper pulp to be recycled. Try cloth napkins and towels instead, or post-consumer recycled products. Soiled paper will be sorted from the trash and turned into compost at Santa Barbara County’s ReSource Center.
Diapers
Trash
Please place diapers in the trash. Never attempt to flush diapers down the toilet.
Pet Waste
Trash
Please place all pet waste in the trash, including cat litter.
Ice Cream Cartons
Trash
It is extremely difficult to separate the layers of plastic and paper, rendering this item trash.
Milk, Soup, and Juice Cartons
Trash
It is extremely difficult to separate the layers of plastic and paper, rendering this item trash.
Frozen Food Boxes & Other Waxed Cardboard
Trash
Frozen food boxes are lined with wax or a plastic polymer to help preserve and insulate foods. Waxed cardboard is often used to transport produce, seafood, and meat. It is extremely difficult to separate the layers of wax and cardboard, rendering this item trash.
Padded Mailers
Trash
These envelopes are lined with bubble wrap. It is nearly impossible to separate the plastic and paper, rendering this item trash.
[Photo credit: Surv1v4l1st / CC BY-SA]
Pizza Boxes
Trash
Pizza boxes have historically been contaminated with food and liquid, so they need to go in the trash. Soiled paper will be sorted from the trash and turned into compost at Santa Barbara County’s ReSource Center.
Hot Beverage Cups
Trash
It is extremely difficult to separate the layers of plastic and paper, rendering this item trash. Reusable cups are the best option.
Glittery and Iridescent Wrapping Paper
Trash
Wrapping paper that has glitter or is iridescent should be placed in the trash if you can not reuse it. Skipping the wrapping paper altogether is the best solution – try wrapping gifts with fabric, or use old newspapers or magazines.
Tissue Paper
Trash
Tissue paper is so thin, there is not enough paper pulp to be recycled. Try to reuse tissue paper before throwing it away. Soiled paper will be sorted from the trash and turned into compost at Santa Barbara County’s ReSource Center.
Drinking Glasses
Trash
Drinking glasses are “tempered”, meaning they have been chemically treated. These chemicals prevent the glass from being recycled, so they must be placed in the trash.
Art Glass
Trash
The colors in artistic glass and sculptures is derived from metals. The metal and glass are nearly impossible to separate, rendering these items as trash.
Window Glass and Other Tempered Glass
Trash
Tempered glass has been chemically treated. These chemicals prevent the glass from being recycled, so it must be placed in the trash. Examples of tempered glass include windows, drinking glasses, and art glass.
Incandescent Light Bulbs
Trash
Incandescent light bulbs contain wire filmanets that heat up and emit a glow. They do not contain hazardous materials, so you can place them in the trash.
Palm Fronds
Trash
Palms and other fibrous plants are too strong for our yard waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other yard waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.
Eucalyptus
Trash
Eucalyptus is considered “poisonous vegetation”, so it is not allowed with other yard waste. Please place these plants in your trash container.
Oleander
Trash
Oleander is considered “poisonous vegetation”, so it is not allowed with other yard waste. Please place these plants in your trash container.
Succulents
Trash
Succulents and other fibrous plants are too strong for our yard waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other yard waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container.
Ice Plant
Trash
Ice plant is a type of succulent, and it is too strong for our yard waste grinders, so it can not be collected with other yard waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container.
Bird of Paradise
Trash
Bird of Paradise and other fibrous plants are too strong for our yard waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other yard waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.
Agave
Trash
Agave and other fibrous plants are too strong for our yard waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other yard waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.
Cacti
Trash
Cacti and other fibrous plants are too strong for our yard waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other yard waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.
Yucca
Trash
Yucca and other fibrous plants are too strong for our yard waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other yard waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.
Castor Bean
Trash
Castor Bean plants are poisonous, so they can not be collected with other yard waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.
Bamboo
Trash
Bamboo and other fibrous plants are too strong for our yard waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other yard waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.
Pampas Grass
Trash
Pampas Grass and other fibrous plants are too strong for our yard waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other yard waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container.