The Woodlands Township Continues Recycle Right Education Program

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department is continuing its successful Recycle Right education program this spring to help residents recycle correctly and keep the community’s recycling program running smoothly. Since the program began, recycling contamination has been reduced by more than 15%, thanks to residents placing the right materials in their curbside carts.

The Recycle Right Program provides simple, straightforward guidance for residents on what belongs in curbside recycling carts — and just as importantly, what does not. By placing only accepted materials in recycling carts, residents help keep contamination low and ensure recyclable materials can be processed and reused.

Common Items Residents Should Keep Out of Recycling Carts
Common contaminants residents should avoid placing in recycling carts include:

• Plastic bags
• Greasy pizza boxes
• Styrofoam
• Wires and cords
• Yard trimmings

Residential Recycling Guidelines
Residents can help keep recycling working properly by following these simple guidelines:

• Do not bag recyclables. Place items loose in the cart. Even when the items inside are recyclable, recyclables placed inside plastic bags are treated as contamination and discarded at the recycling center.
• Do not place plastic bags in the recycling cart. Plastic bags can be recycled at many local grocery stores.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

Cart Tags Coming This Spring
As part of the Recycle Right education program, Township staff will place an educational tag on residential curbside recycling carts between March and June 2026. Tags are intended for general education only, and no inspections of cart contents will be conducted.

Residents are encouraged to save the tag and refer to it when deciding whether an item belongs in their cart. The golden rule is simple: If the item is not listed on the acceptable items list on the tag, it does not belong in the recycling cart.

Learn How to Recycle Right
Residents can use the new Recycle Right tool on the Township website to quickly find out how to properly recycle items in The Woodlands, including materials that cannot be placed in curbside recycling. For additional assistance, contact The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or 281-210-3800.