Omaha Recycling Guide
Paper Takeout Containers
Accepted in City of Omaha Recycling
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Place EMPTY and CLEAN paper foodservice containers in a curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container. Accepted items include: paper cups, paper plates and bowls, and paper takeout containers.
- 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.
Important Note: Plastic lids and plastic wraps should be placed in the garbage, or use an alternative option. Remove and discard any metal handles, such as wire bales on Chinese takeout boxes.
Where Else Could It Go?
If—and ONLY if—the paper container is marked "100% compostable" or "certified compostable," it can be composted through a paid-program at an industrial-composting entity, such as Hillside Solutions.
Tip: If you're not sure whether your item is compostable, place it in the garbage.
Did You Know
Paper foodservice containers, such as paper cups and 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.