Is it Compostable, Recyclable or Trash??

Click on the category
of your container to start

RAFFLE EXPIRED

DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

This Green Take-Out pilot program helps Beverly restaurants, cafes, and breweries reduce their use of single use plastic and Styrofoam - this reduces pollution and greenhouse gases from our landfills.

They’ve invested in using compostable containers.🎉🎉 We’re here to help you identify and compost them.

Why is keeping compostable containers (and food scraps) out of the trash so important?

In a landfill they produce potent gases that impact our climate

(primarily methane which is 28-36 times more potent than CO2)

Is it Compostable, Recyclable or Trash??

identify & sort your containers, then click:

DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

CLAMSHELLS (hinged container)

1st - IS IT COMPOSTABLE?
Any clamshell that has the following symbol on it is compostable (WITH FOOD SCRAPS OK):

If “Compostable” embossed on a clear plastic-looking clamshell, it is compostable.

Also compostable, If it DOES NOT have a symbol, looks like this and comes from Delphine’s Kitchen:

clear plastic clambshell

2nd - IS IT RECYCLABLE?
Empty clear or white plastic (but not styrofoam) is recyclable. (REMOVE ALL FOOD)
Common example:

3nd - IS IT TRASH?
If neither compostable nor recycling, it’s trash. Common examples:

  • plastic lids

  • black plastic

  • styrofoam

FIND THE NEXT CONTAINER
DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

BOWLS/SOUP CUPS

1st - IS IT COMPOSTABLE?
Any bowl that has the following symbol on it is compostable (WITH FOOD SCRAPS OK):

If “Compostable” embossed on a clear plastic-looking bowl, it is compostable.

Also compostable, If it DOES NOT have a symbol, looks like this and comes from Backbeat Brewery or Delphine’s Kitchen:

3nd - IS IT TRASH?
If neither compostable nor recycling, it’s trash. Common examples:

  • plastic lids

  • black plastic

  • styrofoam

2nd - IS IT RECYCLABLE?
All empty clear or white plastic containers (but not styrofoam) is recyclable. (REMOVE ALL FOOD OR LIQUID)

FIND THE NEXT CONTAINER
DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

CUPS/LIDS/STRAWS

1st - IS IT COMPOSTABLE?
Any cup, lid or straw that has the following symbol on it is compostable (WITH FOOD SCRAPS OK):

If “Compostable” embossed on a clear plastic-looking cup, it is compostable.

Also compostable, If it DOES NOT have a symbol, looks like this and comes from Beantrust Coffeebar, Kid Dream or Delphine’s Kitchen (ALL RESTAURANTS HAVE THE BLUE STRAWS):

3nd - IS IT TRASH?
If neither compostable nor recycling, it’s trash. Common examples:

  • clear/opaque plastic lids

  • plastic straws

  • styrofoam cup

  • opaque plastic cup

2nd - IS IT RECYCLABLE?
Empty clear plastic cup is recyclable. (REMOVE ALL LIQUID, FOOD AND ICE)

FIND THE NEXT CONTAINER
DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

PLATES/TRAYS

1st - IS IT COMPOSTABLE?
Any plate or tray that has the following symbol on it is compostable (WITH FOOD SCRAPS OK):

If “Compostable” embossed on a clear plastic-looking plate/tray, it is compostable.

Also compostable, If it DOES NOT have a symbol, looks like this and comes from Delphine’s Kitchen or Super Sub Shop:

2nd - IS IT RECYCLABLE?
Empty clear or white plastic (but not styrofoam) is recyclable. (REMOVE ALL FOOD)

Empty tin tray is recyclable (REMOVE ALL FOOD)

3nd - IS IT TRASH?
If neither compostable nor recycling, it’s trash. Common examples:

  • plastic lids

  • all black plastic

  • styrofoam

FIND THE NEXT CONTAINER
DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

CARTON/BOX

1st - IS IT COMPOSTABLE?
Any carton that has the following symbol on it is compostable (WITH FOOD SCRAPS OK):

If “Compostable” embossed on a clear plastic-looking carton, it is compostable.

If it DOES NOT have a symbol, does it look like this?

2nd - IS IT RECYCLABLE?
Empty clear or white plastic (but not styrofoam) is recyclable. (REMOVE ALL FOOD OR LIQUID)

3nd - IS IT TRASH?
If neither compostable nor recycling, it’s trash.

FIND THE NEXT CONTAINER
DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

PIZZA BOX

1st - IS IT COMPOSTABLE?
Any pizza box/container that has the following symbol on it is compostable (WITH FOOD SCRAPS OK):

Also compostable, If it DOES NOT have a symbol and looks like this:

2nd - IS IT RECYCLABLE?
Empty box is recyclable. (REMOVE ALL FOOD, GREASE IS OK)
Example:

3nd - IS IT TRASH?
If neither compostable nor recycling, it’s trash. Common examples:

  • small 3-prong plastic separator

  • parchment paper liner

  • soiled aluminum foil

FIND THE NEXT CONTAINER
DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

CONDIMENT CUPS/PACKETS

1st - IS IT COMPOSTABLE?
Any condiment cup that has the following symbol on it is compostable (WITH FOOD SCRAPS OK):

If “Compostable” embossed on a clear plastic-looking condiment cup, it is compostable.

Also compostable, If it DOES NOT have a symbol, looks like this and comes from Delphine’s Kitchen:

3nd - IS IT TRASH?
If neither compostable nor recycling, it’s trash. Common example:

  • condiment size plastic cups and lids

  • packets

2nd - IS IT RECYCLABLE?
None (too small)

FIND THE NEXT CONTAINER
DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

UTENSILS / CHOPSTICKS

1st - IS IT COMPOSTABLE?
Any utensil that has the following symbol on them is compostable:

Also compostable, If it DOES NOT have a symbol, looks like this and comes from Backbeat Brewery, Delphine’s Kitchen, Kid Dream or OTTO:

2nd - IS IT RECYCLABLE?
none

3nd - IS IT TRASH?
If neither compostable nor recycling, it’s trash. Common example:

  • plastic cutlery

  • plastic chopsticks

FIND THE NEXT CONTAINER
DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

FOIL/PLASTIC WRAP

1st - IS IT COMPOSTABLE?

none

2nd - IS IT RECYCLABLE?
Crumpled, clean aluminum foil (NO GREASE OR FOOD)

3nd - IS IT TRASH?
If neither compostable nor recycling, it’s trash. Common example:

  • paper lined foil

  • plastic wrap

  • soiled aluminum foil

FIND THE NEXT CONTAINER
DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

BAG / NAPKINS

1st - IS IT COMPOSTABLE?
New and soiled paper napkins are compostable (as long as they DO NOT CONTAIN any cleaning products or chemicals.)

2nd - IS IT RECYCLABLE?
Empty paper bag is recyclable.

There are also plastic bag drop-offs at grocery stores (DO NOT PUT PLASTIC BAGS IN CURBSIDE PICKUP BIN).

3nd - IS IT TRASH?
If neither compostable nor recycling, it’s trash.

FIND THE NEXT CONTAINER
DONE IDENTIFYING? END HERE

Thank you!

Your action is supporting a greener, cleaner Northshore

Green Take-Out Pilot Program
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS