What to recycle, what to throw out

South Florida cities and counties encourage their residents to take advantage of curbside recycling, but only certain items are acceptable.

Some recyclable materials shouldn’t be placed in recycling bins or carts but can be taken elsewhere to be recycled.

Each county has its own program, but here’s a general list of what should and shouldn’t be placed in curbside bins or carts — and places where some other recyclables can be brought:

GOOD FOR CURBSIDE RECYCLING

• Plastic bottles and containers

• Food and beverage cans

• Glass bottles and jars

• Juice and milk cartons

• Drink boxes (no pouches) • Cardboard (cut into smaller, 3-by-3-foot or 2-by-4-foot pieces)

• Newspapers and inserts (no plastic insert bags)

• Office and school paper

• Mail

• Magazines

• Dry food boxes (no food stains) • Paper bags

• Cardboard paper rolls

DON’T PUT IN CURBSIDE RECYCLING

• Plastic bags

• Styrofoam or polystyrene products

• Aluminum foil or pans

• Shredded paper

• Plastic eating utensils or straws

• Paper plates

• Paper towels or napkins

• Coat hangers

• Light bulbs

• Needles

• Clothing • Batteries

OTHER RECYCLING OPTIONS Plastic bags: Some supermarkets have containers for recycling plastic bags. They will take other kinds of plastic besides grocery bags, such as plastic film wrap, plastic bread bags and more.

Polystyrene cartons: Some supermarkets and big-box stores have bins to recycle polystyrene (Styrofoamlike) containers. These include takeout and doggie-bag cartons from restaurants, foam egg cartons and supermarket meat and vegetable trays.

Clothing: Charities such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army will take clothing and other fabric materials. What can’t be resold can be recycled as rags.