Omaha Recycling Guide
Paper Plates & Bowls
Accepted in City of Omaha Recycling
Place EMPTY and CLEAN paper plates or bows in a curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container.
- Remove all contents and food
- Rinse to remove residue and let dry
- Keep items loose and do not bag
Place this item in the garbage if you are not able to remove food residue.
Where Else Could It Go?
If—and ONLY if—the paper plate or bowl is marked "100% compostable" or "certified compostable," it can be composted through a paid-program at an industrial-composting facility, such as Hillside Solutions.
Tip: If you're not sure whether your item is compostable, place it in the garbage.
Ways to Reduce or Reuse
Instead of single-use paper plates and bowls, use real dishes that can be washed and used again.
Did You Know
Paper foodservice containers, such as paper cups, paper plates or bowls, and paper takeout boxes are often lined with a thin layer of plastic to make them leak-proof. This plastic lining makes them non-compostable, and they are not accepted for recycling in every community. However, the City of Omaha's recycling processor First Star Recycling has special equipment that can separate and recycle CLEAN and DRY paper products made with mixed materials. First Star has recently refined their sorting process to better capture these types of items, and identified end markets that can process and reuse the materials.