How to Be a Successful Recycler
- Proper sorting makes a difference! – Know which items are recyclable
- Empty. Clean. Dry. – Avoid contamination by keeping recyclables clean, dry, empty, and loose.
- Rinse/wipe food residue and empty liquids from your plastic, glass, and aluminum containers.
- Don’t Bag It – Place recyclables loose in the cart. No need to bag them.
What’s Recyclable
What Can I Put in My Recycle Bin?
| Acceptable Items | Unacceptable Items |
|---|---|
| Paper and paper products | Plastic bags, film, and wrap |
| Magazines | Plastic utensils |
| Newspaper (including inserts, coupons, and store ads) | Snack packaging (e.g. chip bags and candy wrappers) |
| Printing/writing paper | Aseptic multi-layered containers (e.g. juice, soup, and dairy cartons and pouches) |
| Junk mail | StyrofoamTM products (e.g. cups, plates, meat/seafood trays, packing peanuts, and blocks) |
| Cataolgs and phone books | Grease/food-soiled paper products (place in the compost cart) |
| Shredded paper (sealed in a paper bag) | 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) | Yard trimmings (place in the compost cart) |
| Paper boxes (e.g., shoe and cereal boxes) | Mirrors |
| Paper egg cartons | Ceramics |
| Paper bags | Garden hoses |
| Plastic bottles, jugs, trays, and tubs labeled #1 and #2 (clean and empty) | Plastic or wire clothes hangers |
| Glass bottles and jars (clean and empty) | Personal hygiene items (e.g. diapers, sanitary napkins, disposable gloves/masks) |
| Aluminum and metal | Dog/cat waste (litter and waste from vegetarian pets such as rabbits may go in the compost bin) |
| Food and beverage cans (clean and empty) | Carpets, rugs, and mats (if these cannot be donated) |
| Foil and scrap metal pieces (clean) | Shoes, clothing, and toys (if these cannot be donated) |
| Dirt, rock, asphalt, concrete, brick, and construction and demolition debris | |
| Household hazardous waste (HHW) - Link to HHW page |
What Do I Do With…
Used Oil & Oil Filters
Union City and Hayward residents can request free containers for recycling used motor oil and filters. Simply contact Tri-CED at (510) 471-3850 to receive special oil containers and bags for your filters.
You may place up to two fully sealed, one-gallon plastic containers of uncontaminated (unmixed) motor oil at the curb on your designated pick-up day.
Please note: Cooking oil is not accepted.
Recycle Household Batteries Curbside
Curbside collection of common household batteries and cell phones is available to all residents in Union City and Hayward.
Step One:
Place batteries in a clear ziplock bag or call Tri-CED at (510) 429-8030 to request one for battery and cell phone recycling, along with instructions. Place batteries and cell phones in the bag.
Step Two:
On your regular collection day, place the sealed plastic bag on top of your recycle cart, ensuring it is not placed inside the cart. Make sure it is securely positioned on top for easy collection.
Accepted Items:
- AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, alkaline, rechargeable, lithium and coin cells
- Small button-size batteries for watches and hearing aids
- All cell phones and cell phone batteries
Car Batteries Are Not Accepted for Curbside Collection:
You can safely recycle car batteries at an Alameda County HHW Drop-off Facility or local auto parts store. Search for convenient recycling options using the StopWaste Resource Guide.
Battery Collection Stations:
For your convenience, the City of Union City has also established battery collection stations at City Hall and in our community centers. Look for the battery drop-off display at the following 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