How to Recycle Right: Tips for Success
Proper sorting matters!
Knowing what goes where helps keep our recycling stream clean and efficient. When in doubt, check your local recycling guide.
Empty. Clean. Dry.
Keep recyclables free of food and liquid. Rinse or wipe containers and let them dry before tossing them in the cart.
No Bags, No Mess.
Place your recyclables loose in the cart—never in plastic bags, which jam sorting machines and are not accepted.
What Can I Put in My Recycle Cart?
| Acceptable Items | Prohibited Items |
|---|---|
| Paper & Paper Products | Aseptic multi-layered containers (e.g. juice, soup, and dairy cartons and pouches) |
Magazines | Carpets, rugs, and mats (if these cannot be donated) |
Newspaper (including inserts, coupons, and store ads) | Ceramics |
Printing/writing paper | Dirt, rock, asphalt, concrete, brick, and construction and demolition debris |
Junk mail | Dog/cat waste (litter and waste from vegetarian pets such as rabbits may go in the compost bin) |
Catalogs and phone books | Food scraps (place in the compost cart) |
Cardboard (flattened, extra cardboard that does not fit in the cart must be cut down to 4x4 size and bundled next to the cart) | Garden hoses |
Paper boxes (e.g., shoe and cereal boxes) | Grease/food-soiled paper products (place in the compost cart) |
Paper egg cartons | |
Paper bags | Mirrors |
| Plastic Products | Personal hygiene items (e.g. diapers, sanitary napkins, disposable gloves/masks) |
Plastic bottles, jugs, trays, and tubs labeled #1 and #2 (clean and empty) | Plastic bags, film, and wrap |
| Glass Products | Plastic or wire clothes hangers |
Glass bottles and jars (clean and empty) | Plastic utensils |
| Aluminum & Metal | Shoes, clothing, and toys (if these cannot be donated) |
Food and beverage cans (clean and empty) | Snack packaging (e.g. chip bags and candy wrappers) |
Aluminum foil and trays | Styrofoam™ products (e.g. cups, plates, meat/seafood trays, packing peanuts, and blocks) |
Scrap metal | Yard trimmings (place in the compost cart) |
Free Motor Oil & Filter Recycling Containers
Live in Union City or Hayward? You can get free containers to safely recycle used motor oil and oil filters!
Just contact Tri-CED at (510) 471-3850 to request:
- Specially designed motor oil jugs
- Filter recycling bags
On your regular collection day, place up to two sealed, one-gallon plastic containers of uncontaminated motor oil at the curb, along with your used filters in the provided bags.
Household Battery Recycling
Residents of Union City and Hayward can recycle common household batteries and cell phones with free curbside collection.
Step 1: Bag It Up
- Place your batteries and cell phones in a clear ziplock bag.
- Need one? Call Tri-CED at (510) 429-8030 to request a free battery bag and instructions.
- IMPORTANT: For lithium batteries, tape the ends with electrical tape to prevent fire risks.
Step 2: Set It Out
- On your regular collection day, place the sealed bag on top of your recycling cart (not inside).
- Make sure it’s clearly visible and securely placed for easy pickup.
Accepted Items
- Household batteries: AAA, AA, C, D, 9-volt, button cells, alkaline, rechargeable, lithium, and coin cells
- Small batteries from watches and hearing aids
- All cell phones and cell phone batteries
Not Accepted Curbside: Car Batteries
Car batteries are not accepted through curbside pickup. You can recycle them at:
- Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-off Facilities
- Local auto parts stores
Battery Drop-Off Locations in Union City
Prefer to drop them off in person? Look for designated battery recycling displays at these locations:
- City Hall – 34009 Alvarado-Niles Road
- Ruggieri Senior Center – 33997 Alvarado-Niles Road
- Mark Green Sports Center – 31224 Union City Blvd
- Kennedy Community Center – 1333 Decoto Road