FAQs

Recycling FAQs

What can I recycle?

Accepted recyclable materials vary depending on your location. The best way to know which items can be recycled, is to refer to your local recycling program. We gathered this handy list of Recycling Resources by Location you can reference if you live in one of our existing locations. You can also see accepted items at-a-glance by clicking on the “Locations” tab at the top of the page.

Otherwise, you can simply search “recycling” + “[your city”] and you should be able to locate which items are accepted. Your municipality’s website may also have a page with information on recycling best practices, including a list of accepted items.

Commonly accepted materials include:

*Cardboard
*Paper (office paper, newspaper, cardstock, etc.)
*Plastic bottles and containers
*Aluminum cans

What happens to my recycling?

All the material you place in your recycling bin is picked up by your local collection service and dropped off at one of our Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF). We use a combination of machinery, technology, and manual sorting to separate recyclables by commodity type (for example, cardboard, paper, plastic, and aluminum). Once the material is properly separated, we bale it to prepare it for shipment and send it off to secondary processors or manufacturers, who use it to make new products.

Typically, each material type either returns to its original form or becomes a new version of that commodity. Cardboard becomes a new cardboard box, and paper becomes a new form of paper such as tissue. Glass is used to make new bottles, fiberglass, or even material for construction (learn more about our Glass Aggregate). Aluminum can be used to make more aluminum cans, but also bike parts, gutters, and more! Plastics will become different products based on their resin type. Some examples include new bottles and containers, buckets, park benches, car parts, even fabrics!

What is a "MRF”?

MRF Stands for Material Recovery Facility. As the name suggests, a MRF is a highly specialized facility that takes in recyclables and separates them according to their commodity type. Imagine having a fruit salad and separating it by fruit type as cleanly as possible – that is what happens at a MRF except with recyclable materials!

MRFs are at the center of the recycling process, receiving the collected recyclables and preparing them for shipment to secondary processors, who will develop them into new products and return them to the shopping shelves.

Can I bag my recycling?

Most recycling programs DO NOT accept bagged recyclables. Since recycling varies by location, it’s important that you check with your local recycling program. In most cases, all recycling material should be placed loose (bagless), clean and dry in the recycling container.

If you are required to bag your recycling, please use a clear plastic bag.

How clean should my recycling be?

Please remove food, liquids, and oil from containers before recycling. A quick rinse or wipe down of the container is all you need! There is no need to run your recyclable containers through the dishwasher.

Why do recyclables need to be clean and dry?

Recyclables need to be clean and dry to protect other recyclables, such as paper and cardboard, from contamination. If food or oil transfers to paper products, it may prevent the material from being recycled. Keeping your material clean and dry also helps protect against mold and pests.

Do I keep lids on or off?

Check with your local program, as the answer may vary depending on the type of container. Most recycling programs ask you to keep the lids on plastic bottles. But when it comes to other materials, like glass jars with metal lids, you might want to separate depending on where you live. For example, if you’re in New York, you can follow a handy rhyme: “If it’s the same, it should remain. If it’s not, pop the top!” In Austin, Texas, you can keep your lids on all the time.

Can I recycle pizza boxes?

Maybe – check with your local program to confirm. For most locations, you can recycle pizza boxes if they are not soiled with food or grease. Out of all our locations, Brooklyn is the only one that accepts pizza boxes even when soiled. Pizza boxes are compostable, too – so when in doubt, try that route!

Can I recycle small-format plastics like straws and utensils?

Remember we should reduce, reuse, and THEN recycle, particularly when it comes to small-format plastics. Most recycling programs will have trouble separating these properly because of their size. Be sure to verify with your local program (you can reference our Recycling Resources by Location to check your location). Out of our locations, our facilities servicing New York City and surrounding areas are the exception, as they accept all rigid plastics, including utensils. We definitely encourage using reusable utensils and straws!

Can I put small plastics into larger plastic containers to save space?

No, please ensure your plastic and glass containers are empty when you recycle them. Plastics are recycled by melting them together with other plastics of the same resin type. Mixing two types of plastics together prevents them from getting recycled properly.

Why is it important to recycle properly?

Taking the steps to ensure the material you are placing in the recycling bin is recyclable curbside, and is clean, loose, and dry, helps your local recycling program work more efficiently. In other words, doing your part to reduce contamination (wrong item in wrong bin) in the recycling stream helps us process the recyclable material better and safer, ultimately empowering us to increase our positive environmental impact.

Across all our facilities, we will have sorters touching the items you have placed in your bin. The safety of our employees and partners is our top priority. By following local recycling guidelines, not only are you ensuring your local recycling program works efficiently, but you are also keeping recycling and solid waste employees safe!

Can I recycle batteries and electronics?

Batteries and battery-operated devices cannot be recycled curbside. They are actually one of the most dangerous, if not THE most dangerous item you can place in your recycling bin. Batteries spark and ignite, causing fires, endangering both our employees and your recyclables. Remember, if it lights up, “sings” or moves on its own, it has a battery and should be responsibly disposed.

So where should your batteries go? Check with your local program. Most cities will have dedicated drop-off locations for batteries and electronics.

Does the stuff I put in the bin actually get recycled?

If the items you’re placing in the recycling bin are included in your local recycling program, then yes! Recycling programs publish the list of accepted items based on what we know we can sort and sell to companies that use them to make new products.

What items are not accepted?

A few examples of items we do not accept at our facilities include:

*Plastic bags
*Batteries and battery-powered devices
*Electronics
*Appliances (mostly metal appliances are only accepted in our Brooklyn location)
*Human or pet waste
*Clothing and textiles
*Rope, cords, strings, or hoses
*Yard trimmings

Some of these items may be recyclable at specialized collection locations. We recommend The Recycling Partnership’s “What Can I Recycle” tool for assistance on how to safely dispose of material that is not collected curbside or in other single-stream recycling containers.

I have more questions! Who should I contact?

Send all your recycling questions to info@balconesresources.com or visit our Contact Us page.

Shredding FAQs

What items can I put in the shred bin and console?

You can shred any paper files that are confidential, contain sensitive information, or are no longer needed. Documents that are commonly shredded include budgets, payroll information, medical records and personal and business banking information. You can keep paper clips and staples on your documents. To learn more, go to our Shredding page.

What does “product destruction” mean?

Product destruction includes electronic media and hard drives. We can shred almost all forms of data-containing electronic media, including:

*Cell Phones
*ID Cards
*Hard Drives & Flash Drives
*CD/DVD
*VHS Tapes
*Floppy Drives
*Floppy Disks

What happens to my documents or electronic media after they are shredded?

Recycling is our mission; therefore, we work hard to repurpose all your shredded material. After documents have been securely shredded and confidential material destroyed, they are baled and sent to paper mills to become new paper products. We also partner with secondary processors that can repurpose your shredded electronic media.

We are members of the National Association of Information Destruction (NAID) and adhere to the industry’s best practices. After shredding services, customers receive a certification of destruction. To learn more about NAID AAA Certification, Click here.

What does NAID AAA-Certified Mean?

A NAID AAA Certification verifies our facilities and team members adhere to strict security guidelines including; internal and external monitoring, secure containment and access control, as well as closed-circuit TV surveillance. We are subject to scheduled and surprised audits by trained, accredited security professionals to ensure we are compliant with all known data protection laws.

New Commercial Customers FAQs

How do I requests or inquire about setting up services?

To request services, please fill out our  Contact Us form. A team member will reach out with further details. Note you can sign up for commercial recycling and shredding services in Austin and Dallas, Texas, and Little Rock, Arkansas. More locations coming soon!

What services do you offer?

We offer recycling and shredding services. We help design custom recycling programs to help meet our partners’ needs. You can view all our offerings by visiting our Services Page.

Which recycling container sizes do you offer?

Container sizes vary based on location. Visit our Services Page to view all options. Visit our Locations Page to select your specific location.

Our most common containers include:

*Rolling carts: 96-gallon carts for small businesses or locations with limited space and access.

*Recycling Dumpsters: Front-load bins and dumpsters (2-yard, 4-yard, 6-yard, and 8-yard) for office, retail, multifamily home complexes, and manufacturing buildings.

*Compactors: For lease or purchase for larger volume customers in high-rise office buildings, distribution & manufacturing facilities, and retail centers.

Visit our Contact Us page to get in touch with a team member and learn more!

Current Commercial Customers

Who do I contact for billing questions?

It depends on where you are! Please find our contact information by location below:

AUSTIN, TX

Please call (512) 472-3355 or email our Team at customerservice@balconesresources.com

DALLAS, TX

Please call (972) 481-1400 or email our Team at dallascsr@balconesresources.com

LITTLE ROCK, AR

Please call (501) 490-0500 or email our Team at csr@balconesresources.com

Not seeing your location? Please reach out via our Contact Us form.

Who do I contact to request services or pick-up?

It depends on where you are! Please find our contact information by location below:

AUSTIN, TX

Please call (512) 472-3355 or email our Team at dispatch@balconesresources.com

DALLAS, TX

Please call (972) 481-1400 or email our Team at recyclingservice@balconesresources.com

LITTLE ROCK, AR

Please call (501) 490-0500 or email our Team at dispatchLR@balconesresources.com

Not seeing your location? Please reach out via our Contact Us form.

Can I pay my invoice online?

Yes! Please visit our Client Portal to pay your invoice.