Understanding Amarillo's Recycling Guidelines: What Can and Cannot Be Recycled

Recycling is a great way to reduce waste, save energy, and protect the environment—but only if it’s done right. Amarillo has specific guidelines for what can and cannot be recycled. 

When the wrong items end up in recycling bins or dumpsters, it can contaminate entire loads and make recycling efforts less effective. Here's what Amarillo residents need to know to recycle smarter and cleaner.

What You Can Recycle in Amarillo

Recyclable materials are those that can be processed and turned into something new. Amarillo supports curbside recycling, and there are also drop-off sites for larger quantities.

Accepted recyclable materials:

• Paper products: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, and junk mail

• Cardboard: Flattened boxes and packaging (clean and dry)

• Plastics #1 and #2: Like water bottles, milk jugs, and detergent containers

• Aluminum and tin cans: Soda cans, food cans (rinsed)

• Glass bottles and jars: Clear, green, or brown—rinsed and label-free

Make sure all items are clean and dry before placing them in your bin or dumpster. Food residue can ruin a whole batch of recyclables. By practicing proper sorting, you support Amarillo waste management efforts to keep the recycling stream clean.

What You Cannot Recycle

Some items may seem recyclable but actually cause more harm than good when tossed in the bin. These are known as “contaminants” and can disrupt the recycling process.

Items you should never recycle:

• Plastic bags: These tangle recycling machinery—return them to grocery store collection bins instead

• Styrofoam: Not accepted in curbside recycling due to processing limitations

• Food-soiled items: Greasy pizza boxes, dirty paper plates, or containers with leftover food

• Electronics and batteries: These require special disposal (see Amarillo e-waste programs)

• Ceramics or mirrors: These are not the same as recyclable glass and can't be processed the same way

If you’re not sure about an item, it’s better to leave it out. Contaminated loads may be rejected entirely, even if they include a large amount of acceptable material.

Why Recycling Guidelines Matter

When you follow Amarillo’s recycling rules, you help keep the city’s waste management program running smoothly and efficiently. Following proper recycling practices benefits everyone by:

• Reducing landfill waste: Keeps recyclable materials out of landfills

• Saving natural resources: Less need to extract and process new materials

• Cutting down on processing costs: Clean recyclables are easier and cheaper to sort

By taking just a little extra time to recycle properly, you're making a positive impact on the community and environment.

How ARLO Environmental Inc Can Help

Whether you’re managing recycling for your home, office, or a big cleanup project, ARLO Environmental Inc can guide you through the process. Our dumpster rental services include expert advice on proper sorting, so recyclables and waste don’t end up in the wrong place.

We’ll help you:

• Choose the right dumpster size for your project

• Separate recyclables from general waste

• Avoid contamination issues that could lead to fines or rejected loads

Conclusion

Recycling in Amarillo is simple—when you know the rules. Stick to what’s accepted, keep items clean, and don’t forget that proper sorting helps the whole city recycle better. If you need help managing your waste or recycling setup, we’re here to make the process easy.

Call ARLO Environmental Inc at (806) 646-5854 today for expert waste management and recycling support!