Drop-Off Recycling Efforts Result in Significant Decrease in Recycling Contamination and an Increase in Materials Diverted from Landfills

New Six-Month Drop-Off Recycling Report shows recycling contamination is down 83% and recycling is up 8%.

March 31, 2026 | 2 min reading time

In the six months since the City of St. Louis shifted from alley recycling to drop-off recycling, contamination is down 83% from August 2025 to February 2026, compared to the same time period in 2024-2025.

In addition, the City has seen an 8% increase in materials recycled compared to the same period from 2024-2025.

With the increase in the number of drop-off sites, combined with the efforts of dedicated residents, the City is diverting more trash from landfills while also reducing costs.

Check out the full six-month Drop-Off Recycling Report for more details on the benefits of drop-off recycling and tips for how residents can continue to impact the program’s success.

 

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