Solid Waste Services

Recycling

Learn how to recycle right in Fort Worth with these tips from The Blue Crew.

See more recycling tips from The Blue Crew on YouTube.

Paper

Paper clips and staples are OK.

Advertising circulars
Cardboard – corrugated cardboard. Large boxes must be broken down or cut to fit inside the cart.
Catalogs
Envelopes – with or without windows
Junk mail
Magazines
Newspapers – all sections
Office and school paper – file folders, letterhead, sticky notes, printer paper,
Paperback books
Paperboard – cereal boxes (liners removed), soda and beer carry cartons, dry goods packaging, paper towel and toilet paper cores.
Paper bags
Phone books
Shredded paper (place in paper grocery bag & roll shut to prevent litter)

Metal Containers

Please rinse. Labels can be left on.

Aluminum drink cans – do not flatten
Aluminum baking tins – durable type, not disposable
Steel or tin food cans and lids
Empty aerosol cans – with spray nozzle; remove plastic lid unless part of the can
Empty steel paint cans – no liquids please. A thin skin of dry paint on bottom and sides is OK; remove and recycle the lid

Glass Containers

Please rinse. Labels can be left on. All colors accepted.
Bottles and jars – remove metal and plastic lids and recycle
Ceramics
China
Dishes
Mirrors – must fit inside cart with lid closed
Windowpanes – no auto glass

Plastic Containers

Please rinse. All colors accepted. Containers must be hard plastic.

Bottles, cups and jars – rigid plastic containers with No. 1 through No. 7 recycling symbols on bottom of container.
Food trays, tubs and bowls with no styrofoam – with No. 1 through No. 7 recycling symbols on bottom of container
Plastic eating utensils

Do not put these in the blue cart

The following is not an exhaustive list of items that should not be recyclable. If still unsure, dispose of items in the garbage cart instead of attempting to recycle.

Aluminum foil
Aluminum bakeware - disposable
Auto glass
Clothing or bedding
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)*
Drink boxes and straws
Food scraps or items that contain food
Fluorescent light bulbs*
Garden hoses
Gift wrap and greeting cards
Hangers (all types)
Light bulbs
Medical waste
Paper milk and juice cartons
Paper that is designed to hold moist food, including pizza boxes, some frozen food containers, waxed drinking cups, etc.
Plastic containers that held hazardous materials such as gasoline, motor oil, paint, pesticide or weed killer.
Plastic bags including grocery sacks, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves
Toys
Styrofoam® cups, food containers, packing, “peanuts”, etc.
Waxed paper and waxed food containers
Yard trimmings (set out as yard waste, separate from the recycling cart. Yard waste will go to a separate processing facility).

Other ways to recycle in Fort Worth

Some items listed can be recycled at locations throughout the City. For example, plastic shopping bags can be returned to most grocery stores and many retail stores.

Check with stores or visit Earth911.com to find recycling locations.

Pick-up Day

Customer Service

If you have a concern about garbage, recycling, bulk pick-up or other related issues, call 817-392-EASY (3279) or email trash@fortworthtexas.gov. The call center is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.