FAQ

The Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where our recyclables go, prefers that any shredded or small bits of paper be placed in a paper bag and tossed in your blue bin. Small pieces of paper can fall through the cracks at the MRF, not making it all the way through to be baled and sold.

Yes! In fact, breaking down boxes can help your neighbors and the entire city! Unbroken boxes take up room in your blue bin and can cause it to overflow with recyclables. This can cause big problems. For example, overflow can prevent the lid from being shut all the way which can allow water to seep into the bin and potentially contaminate the load. Broken down boxes eliminate the contamination possibility and makes space for all of your neighbor’s recycling.

No! Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene, is difficult and dangerous to breakdown in the recycling process. That is most Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) cannot accept it. Consider buying or using recyclable products instead!

No! Plastic bags are very bad for our Material Recovery Facility (MRF). One bag can get stuck in the machines and shut down the entire facility. If you collect your recycling in a bag, consider paper. When going to the store, consider using a reusable bag or requesting paper.

It’s easy!  Most grocery stores take back plastic bags for recycling.  Visit http://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/ to search your zipcode to find the nearest location to you.

Yes! Caps from plastic bottles, plastic containers and paper cartons should be placed back on their counterparts after a quick rinse and then tossed in your blue bin. If they go in alone, they can fall through the cracks at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and won’t be recycled.

Yes! Clean aluminum containers and foil are recyclable.

Yes! You can recycle all magazines, glossy or not, in your blue bin.

Yes! All of your paper junk mail (windowed envelopes, glossy magazines and newspapers) should be tossed in your blue bin.

Unfortunately, aerosol cans (hairspray, spray paint, cooking oil spray) must go in the trash.  If they still have contents inside, please take them to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility for proper disposal.

Yes! Well usually most of it. If your pizza box is soaked in grease and food remnants, simply tear off the top portion of the box for recycling. If the box is clean, break it down and toss the whole thing in your blue bin!

Yes! If it is cardboard, it should be placed in your blue bin.

Yes! But not in your blue bin. TVs and other corded electronics can be picked up during your scheduled monthly bulk pickup. Learn how bulk pickup works.  Search here for even more locations that accept TVs and other electronics for recycling.

Yes! But not in your blue bin or any alley dumpsters. The City usually hosts an annual holiday tree recycling program following Christmas day and running through the second week of January. Through this, trees can be dropped off at one of three parks for free or put out for bulk pickup. Wreaths and pine tinsel are not accepted. Please visit the Refuse Division’s Christmas Tree Recycling Page for locations and instructions. For year round Christmas tree recycling search here to find locations near you.

Yes!  But not in your blue bin.  Many places around the city accept various textile materials for recycling or as donations.  Search here to find a location that works for you.

Sorry that happened! Contact the Citizens' Service Bureau online at www.stlouis-mo.gov/CSB or by phone at 314-622-4800 to put in a request to have the dumpster moved.

We can fix it! Please contact the Citizens' Service Bureau online at www.stlouis-mo.gov/CSB or by phone at 314-622-4800 to have your cart fixed or replaced.

We can replace it! Please contact the Citizen’s Service Bureau online at www.stlouis-mo.gov/CSB or by phone at 314-622-4800 to have a new cart dropped off at your home.

Most likely not. Please check with your building manager or property owner to learn how recycling is handled at your complex.

The Citizens’ Service Bureau handles all operational requests and complaints. You can contact them online at www.stlouis-mo.gov/CSB or by phone at 314-622-4800.

Please check with your doctor’s office or local pharmacy for proper medication disposal instructions or possible take back programs in your area. Please DO NOT flush or put medications down the drain. Some of our sewers may lead directly to a water stream rather than a water treatment plant.

Only if you really, really want to.  Recycling is part of the City’s comprehensive waste services plan which includes trash, yard waste, recycling, bulk pickup and monthly dropoffs at the transfer stations.  To opt out of ALL City waste services contact the Citizens' Service Bureau online at www.stlouis-mo.gov/CSB or by phone at 314-622-4800.  You will need proof of contract with a private waste hauler.

Ordinance 64116 states, “(k) Scavenging in or from any refuse container is prohibited from dark to dawn and (l) scavenging in or from any container designated for recyclables is prohibited.”  Details of this ordinance can be found here.  This ordinance only applies to St. Louis City, so other municipalities will have their own ordinances.  Remember, if you see suspicious activity you can report it to the CSB (online or by phone 314-622-4800) or if it is an emergency call 911.