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Tip: Rinse containers before recycling
Frequently asked questions about Is this recyclable?
Yes, completely free. No account needed.
No. Photos are processed in real-time and never stored on our servers. They are sent to OpenAI's API for item identification and immediately discarded.
Results are based on official rules from your local jurisdiction's waste management program. For text searches, matching is deterministic and highly accurate. For photo scans, accuracy depends on image quality and AI identification. We always show a confidence score so you know how sure we are.
Yes! The system is designed to support any jurisdiction. You can create a provider JSON file with your city's rules and submit it. See the Providers page for instructions.
Text search works offline for previously loaded providers. Photo scanning requires an internet connection for AI processing.
When we can't confidently match your item to a specific disposal category, we show 'Not Sure' rather than guessing wrong. Try a more specific search term or choose from the suggested alternatives.
General Guidance gives conservative US best-practice advice. City-specific providers (like Orlando, FL) use official local rules that may differ. For example, some cities accept items that others don't.
The focus is residential waste disposal. Commercial and industrial waste often has different rules. Contact your local waste management provider for business-specific guidance.
Each municipality contracts with different recycling processors who accept different materials based on their equipment and local markets. What's recyclable in one city may not be in another — that's exactly why we built city-specific providers.
Provider data is updated whenever a city changes its recycling program rules. We pull from official municipal waste management sources. If you notice outdated info, use the feedback button on any result card to let us know.
Absolutely. Every result card has a flag icon you can tap to report an issue. Include what you think the correct disposal method is and we'll review it.
Electronics (phones, laptops, TVs, cables) should never go in curbside bins. We'll tell you it needs a drop-off and link you to nearby e-waste collection points via Google Maps.
Six categories: Recycle (curbside blue bin), Trash (landfill), Compost (food/yard waste), Drop-off (special collection sites), Hazardous (chemicals, batteries, paint), and Not Sure (when we can't make a confident determination).
Currently we focus on US municipalities, but the system is designed to be international. If you want to contribute rules for your country or region, the provider format supports it.
Point your camera at a product barcode and we'll look up the product via the Open Food Facts database, then match its packaging material against your local disposal rules.