Sorting Guidelines

WHEN IN DOUBT THROW IT OUT!!!!!

Plastic Jars and Glass Containers

Discard Plastic or Glass containers with:

Loose, bulged or missing safety seals

Foreign objects or unusual product separation

Missing or illegible labels

Mold – white or dark, can appear to be long, stringy, clumpy, or ropey

Dirt, webs, insect skins, evidence of submersion or leaks on the tops

Cracked or chipped

Home-made canned goods

Peanut butter with an expired expiration date of over a 1 year

Anything expired over a year – (i.e. –mustard, jelly, honey , hot sauce, steak sauce)

Anything containing milk or eggs cannot be expired

Drinks cannot be expired past 6mths.

Contents past 90 days such as Ketchup, Pickles, Salsa, Dressing

Guidelines for Evaluating Canned Food Containers

Discard Cans with:

Severe dents near rim, or that prevent stacking (metal touching metal)

Dents with sharp corners

Dents along the side seam

Side seam incomplete, blown out, or unwelded

Bulging or puffed tops and bottoms of cans

Pits or pinholes

Leaks

Missing or illegible labels

Pitted rust which cannot be wiped off or has made holes in the can.

An expired expiration date over 5 years

Dry Goods

Discard Boxes and Dry Good containers WITH inner bags if:

The box is soiled with contaminants

Inner bag is torn, leaking, contaminated, has imperfect malformed seals , moldy, or has foreign objects inside

Discard Boxes and Dry Good containers WITHOUT inner bags if:

Boxes are open/damaged and leaking inside components

Box is soiled with contaminants

There are signs of insects, insect debris, webs or chaff

Discard Retorted Pouches with:

Leaking seals, holes or punctures

Malformed/incomplete seals

Foreign objects contaminated with inside components

Bulges on seams

Missing or illegible labels

Medications

Discard all medications (vitamins, over the counter meds., condoms etc.)

Pet Food

Discard Pet Food with:

 Signs of insect infestation

Container is soiled with unknown contaminants

Non-edible items

Discard Non – edible items if:

Item shows signs of being open ,leaky, sticky or wet (Pertains to bottle items)

Item has signs of insect infestation

Item is broken

Item is for the use of personal hygiene and has been used, package is opened or seal is broken (i.e. – tooth brushes, razors, toothpaste, make – up etc.)

Found Alcohol/Tobacco –needs to be brought to the attention of a staff member

Sorting Categories

Pasta

Example of:

  • Rice
  • Spaghetti
  • Noodles
  • Meal kits (Hamburger Helper etc.)

Vegetable Cans

Example of:

  • Cans of Corn, Green beans, Spinach, Carrots etc.
  • Microwavable can containers

Protein Cans

Examples of:

  • Beans
  • Chili, Spaghetti O’s, Soup w/ meat
  • Chicken , Tuna

Canned Fruit

Example of:

  • Fruit Cocktail
  • Peaches, Pears, Pineapple

Cereal

Example of:

  • Boxes of cereal
  • Oatmeal

Snacks/Junk-food

Example of:

  • Chips
  • Cookies
  • Cupcakes
  • Candy
  • Plastic cups of pudding/fruit cocktails
  • Cake mixes / frosting
  • Crackers

Bulk

Example of:

  • Large cans
  • 50lbs bags of flour or sugar
  • Large tubs of cooking oil etc.

Drinks

Example of:

  • Soda
  • Juices
  • Water

Glass/ Condiments

Example of:

  • Jars of pickles
  • Salad Dressing
  • Cooking oils
  • Mustard, mayo, ketchup, seasonings
  • Salsa
  • Carton of soup

Baby Food

Example of:

  • Jars of baby food
  • Baby food crackers, cereal, cookies
  • Baby food drinks , juice , water
  • Baby formula

Non- edible Items

Example of:

  • Paper/plastic utensils , plates, zip lock bags
  • Diapers, Office supplies, Personal Hygiene supplies etc.

Pet Food

Example of:

  • Pet toys
  • Dry food
  • Canned wet pet food