Put In Trash Container

What can I put in the trash?

This interactive guide shows items that can be placed inside your trash container. Please reference our other guides to learn about other items that you need to dispose of.

MarBorg Food Scrap Disposal

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.

MarBorg Plastic Bag Disposal

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.

MarBorg Snack Wrapper Disposal

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.

MarBorg Plastic Food Cups/Lids Disposal

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.

MarBorg Plastic Food Packaging Disposal

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.

MarBorg Styrofoam Disposal

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.

MarBorg Garden Hose Disposal

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.

MarBorg Cold Beverage Cup Disposal

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.

MarBorg Compostable/Biodegradable Cup Disposal

"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: aaron.bihari / CC BY-SA]

MarBorg Plastic Cup Lid Disposal

Plastic Cup Lids

Trash

These lids are too flimsy to be worthwhile for recyclers. Reusable cups are the best option.

MarBorg Plastic Cutlery Disposal

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.

MarBorg Empty Pill Bottles Recycle

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.

MarBorg Coffee Pods Trash

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.

MarBorg CD & DVD Case Disposal

CD & 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.

MarBorg CD and DVD Disposal

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.

MarBorg Plastic Tapes Disposal

Tapes

Trash

Tapes are comprised of different types of plastics, so they are nearly impossible to recycle.

MarBorg PVC Pipe Disposal

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 our C&D recycling facility.

MarBorg Photograph Disposal

Photographs

Trash

Photographs are comprised of different types of materials, so they are nearly impossible to recycle.

MarBorg Paper Napkins Disposal

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.

MarBorg Diaper Disposal

Diapers

Trash

Please place diapers in the trash. Never attempt to flush diapers down the toilet.

MarBorg Pet Waste Disposal

Pet Waste

Trash

Please place all pet waste in the trash, including cat litter.

MarBorg Ice Cream Carton Recycle

Ice Cream Cartons

Trash

It is extremely difficult to separate the layers of plastic and paper, rendering this item trash.

MarBorg Cartons Disposal

Milk, Soup, and Juice Cartons

Trash

It is extremely difficult to separate the layers of plastic and paper, rendering this item trash.

MarBorg Frozen Food Boxes Disposal

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.

MarBorg Padded Mailer Disposal

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]

MarBorg Pizza Box Disposal

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.

MarBorg Hot Beverage Cup Disposal

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.

MarBorg Glittery Wrapping Paper Disposal

Glittery/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 newspaper/magazines.

MarBorg Tissue Paper Disposal

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.

MarBorg Drinking Glasses Disposal

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.

MarBorg Art Glass Disposal

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.

MarBorg Window Glass Disposal

Window Glass & 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.

MarBorg Incandescent Light Bulb Disposal

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.

MarBorg Palm Frond Disposal

Palm Fronds

Trash

Palms and other fibrous plants are too strong for our green waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other green waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.

MarBorg Eucalyptus Disposal

Eucalyptus

Trash

Eucalyptus is considered “poisonous vegetation”, so it is not allowed with other green waste. Please place these plants in your trash container.

MarBorg Oleander Disposal

Oleander

Trash

Oleander is considered “poisonous vegetation”, so it is not allowed with other green waste. Please place these plants in your trash container.

MarBorg Succulent Disposal

Succulents

Trash

Succulents and other fibrous plants are too strong for our green waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other green waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container.

MarBorg Ice Plant Disposal

Ice Plant

Trash

Ice plant is a type of succulent, and it is too strong for our green waste grinders, so it can not be collected with other green waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container.

MarBorg Bird of Paradise Disposal

Bird of Paradise

Trash

Bird of Paradise and other fibrous plants are too strong for our green waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other green waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.

MarBorg Agave Disposal

Agave

Trash

Agave and other fibrous plants are too strong for our green waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other green waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.

MarBorg Cactus Disposal

Cacti

Trash

Cacti and other fibrous plants are too strong for our green waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other green waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container.

MarBorg Yucca Disposal

Yucca

Trash

Yucca and other fibrous plants are too strong for our green waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other green waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.

MarBorg Castor Plant Disposal

Castor Bean

Trash

Castor Bean plants are poisonous, so they can not be collected with other green waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.

MarBorg Bamboo Disposal

Bamboo

Trash

Bamboo and other fibrous plants are too strong for our green waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other green waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.

MarBorg Pampas Grass Disposal

Pampas Grass

Trash

Pampas Grass and other fibrous plants are too strong for our green waste grinders, so they can not be collected with other green waste to be mulched. Please place these plants in your trash container. All contents of your container must fit inside with the lid closed.