Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. In addition, it generates a host of environmental, financial, and social benefits. Materials like glass, metal, plastics, and paper are collected, separated and sent to facilities that can process them into new materials or products.

• Recycling is the act of processing used or abandoned materials for the creation of new products. Materials that are commonly recycled include paper products, cardboard, aluminum, tin, glass, plastics, batteries, paints and yard and kitchen waste
• Recycling reduces the amount of waste going to landfills and the need for new land to be converted to landfills
• Recycling conserves natural resources and often consumes less energy than creating products from raw materials
• Buying products made from recycled materials ensures that manufacturers will continue to use them. This offsets the costs of collection and processing and makes recycling viable for your community
• The numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles represent the type of plastic. Facilities in the area recycle #1 and #2 plastics only; recycling other types will compromise the quality of the recycled product.

Where does my recycling go?

How much gets recycled in our region?

Printable Tri-fold Recycling Guide

Regional Trash Haulers Providing Recycling

Where to Recycle Electronics

This chart indicates which locations accept certain recyclable goods. Plastic grocery bags, styrofoam, and waxed containers, such as cardboard milk and juice cartons, are not accepted at any of these locations. Check with your local grocery store to see if they recycle plastic bags.

The map below shows recycling locations in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District. For additional information and addresses for each location please view our Recycling Locations Fact Sheet

Another form of recycling is composting. Composting is the controlled biological decomposition of organic matter, such as food and yard wastes, into humus, a soil-like material. Composting is nature's way of recycling organic waste into new soil, which can be used in vegetable and flower gardens, landscaping, and many other applications.