Omaha Recycling Guide
Paper Ice Cream & Food Containers
Accepted in City of Omaha Recycling
Place EMPTY and CLEAN paper containers designed for cold or hot foods in a curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container.
- Remove all contents and food
- Rinse to remove residue and let dry
- Keep items loose and do not bag
Place this item in the garbage if you are not able to remove food residue.
Related Items: Paper Cups, Plastic Food Tubs, Beverage & Soup Cartons, Paper Takeout Containers
Did You Know
Paper food containers such as paper cups, paper ice cream or yogurt containers, and paper takeout boxes, are often lined with a thin layer of plastic to make them leak-proof. This plastic lining makes them non-compostable, and they are not accepted for recycling in every community. However, the City of Omaha's recycling processor First Star Recycling has special equipment that can separate and recycle CLEAN and DRY paper products made with mixed materials. First Star has recently refined their sorting process to better capture these types of items, and identified end markets that can process and reuse the materials.