MATTAPOISETT — The Health Department sent an email on March 7 to remind town residents of proper recycling rules. 

The Health Department highlighted greasy pizza boxes as a repeat problem in recycling bins. It requests that pizza boxes with visible grease stains be thrown away, and only clean boxes be broken down and recycled. 

Mattapoisett residents can recycle cans from food and drinks if they are emptied and rinsed, plastic bottles jars jugs and tubs if they are emptied and recycled with their tops, glass bottles and jars, after they are emptied and rinsed, and paper and cardboard, as long as boxes are flattened. 

Recyclers should avoid bagging their recyclables or recycling plastic bags or plastic wrap, which can get caught in the machines. Recycling products cannot have food or liquids in them, and hoses cords or wires that could tangle are also prohibited. The Board of Health reminds residents that clothing and linens should be donated rather than recycled. 

Mattapoisett plans to hire checkers to go through recycling and trash bins, to see if items are properly discarded.