What Goes Where Tools

Overview

Knowing what materials can go into your recycle and compost containers can be confusing.

This page gives you the tools you need to know what materials can be recycled and composted - signs and stickers, sorting guides, how-to videos, and information about technical assistance.

For more information you can view our FAQ’s and you can email us at zerowaste@cityofpaloalto.org or call us at (650) 496-5910.

Signs and Stickers

Sign-Maker Tool - Make your own custom signs

Recycle Poster(PDF, 2MB)

Compost Poster(PDF, 1MB)

Landfill Poster(PDF, 1002KB)

Paper Towel Sign(PDF, 205KB)

    Recycle, Compost, Landfill Stickers - contact GreenWaste of Palo Alto to get stickers.

Sorting Guides

What Goes Where Sorting Guide(PDF, 471KB) - a short list of what goes in your blue, green, and black containers.

Detailed Materials Guide - a detailed list of what goes in your blue, green, and black containers.

 RE:Source Guide - an online guide for reuse, repair, recycling, and safe disposal.

Single-Family Residential Services Guide

Multi-Family Residential Services Guide

Commercial Services Guide

How-to Videos

Overall

Waste Sorting In Palo Alto Schools - while this video was made for schools, the information works for everyone in Palo Alto 

Waste Sorting In Palo Alto Businesses- a Palo Alto business gets a visitor from the future in this fun What Goes Where sorting video. 

Compost

What goes in my green cart?

Food composting

Recycle

What goes in my blue cart?

Should I rinse recyclables?

Recycling Plastics - What is accepted?

Recycling Film Plastics

Landfill

Products made from multiple materials

Technical Assistance

Recycling and composting is required in Palo Alto. If you need assistance starting or improving your recycling and/or composting program, please contact GreenWaste.

GreenWaste can help you with the following:

• Establish service levels, conduct site visits and waste audits
• Provide on-site training, posters, stickers, and other materials
• Plan for special events 

For more information about the Recycling and Composting Ordinance and tips from other Palo Alto businesses for recycling and composting success, visit our Recycling and Composting Ordinance webpage.

Zero Waste Facilitators

Container Vendors

Container vendor list - A list of vendors that sell recycle and compost containers