Know what’s “Naughty” and what’s “Nice” for your recycling cart

With the holiday season in full swing, the Oklahoma City Utilities Department wants to remind everyone about what’s “Naughty” and “Nice” for residential curbside recycling.

Please recycle these “Nice” items in your Big Green recycling cart.

• Mail, magazines, newspaper, office paper, phone books, catalogs and coupons (all unshredded)
• Cardboard shipping boxes, cereal and food boxes and wrapping paper tubes (all flattened)
• Holiday cards without glitter or plastic coating
• Plain wrapping paper with no glitter or plastic coating
• Plastic household bottles, jugs and containers (all empty, clean and dry)
• Milk and juice cartons (all empty, clean and dry)
• Glass bottles and jars (all empty, clean and dry)
• Aluminum beverage cans and metal food cans (all empty, clean and dry)

These “Naughty” List items belong in your Big Blue trash cart:

• Plastic bags and wrap, including bubble wrap and shipping air pockets
• Holiday lights and power cords
• Shipping peanuts and packing foam
• Glossy/glittery greeting cards, wrapping paper, gift bags and boxes
• Metallic and holographic foil wrapping paper
• Tissue paper
• Plastic toys and electronics
• Ribbons, bows, garland, tinsel and ornaments
• Paper plates, cups and napkins
• Holiday trees, greenery and wreaths (Note: Trees are accepted at the curb during regular monthly bulky pickup.)

As always, customers should follow these three simple guidelines:

1. All recyclables should be loose in your Big Green recycling cart. Do NOT put recyclables inside of bags, and do NOT place one recyclable item inside another.
2. Make sure all recyclables are empty, clean and dry.
3. Do not recycle items that contain food or liquids.

To learn more about recycling right in Oklahoma City, go to okc.gov/recycle.