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Waste Connections has provided updated Single-Stream Recycling Guidelines for 2026, outlining what materials are accepted for recycling. These guidelines apply to all VHRS households and are available in both English and Spanish 

Recycling Guidelines 2026.

 

 

Single-stream recycling means no sorting is required—all accepted recyclable materials may be placed together in your recycling bin.

 

• Paper and cardboard (flatten boxes)
• Newspapers, magazines, mail, and paperboard
• #1–7 plastic bottles, tubs, and screw-top jars (no lids)
• Glass bottles and jars (no lids)
• Aluminum and steel cans (do not crush)
• Clean, balled aluminum foil (2” or larger)
• Empty aerosol cans (no caps)

 
???? Common Contamination Issues (Very Important)
To avoid missed service, please do not place the following items in your recycling bin:

 

❌ Pizza boxes or food-soiled cardboard
❌ Unwashed food or beverage containers
❌ Plastic bags (including bags filled with recyclables)
❌ Plastic lids, caps, or tops
❌ Paper or cardboard take-out food containers
❌ Shredded paper
❌ Styrofoam®, waxed paper, or waxed cardboard

 

Important: If recyclables are placed inside a plastic bag, the entire bag will be treated as trash and will not be recycled.
 
⚠️ What Happens if a Bin Is Contaminated?
If Waste Connections identifies contaminated recyclables before dumping the bin, the container may be:

• Left behind
• Tagged as contaminated
• Collected as trash the following week instead of recycling
• This helps protect recycling equipment and ensures materials can be properly processed.

• Do not overfill or overstuff your recycling bin
• All recyclables must fit inside the bin with the lid closed
• Drivers are instructed not to collect items left outside the bin

 
Additional Resources
For a full list of acceptable and non-acceptable materials, including visual guides in English and Spanish, homeowners are encouraged to review the official Waste Connections Recycling Guidelines 2026