Alley Recycling Has Shifted to Drop-Off Recycling Locations

Overview

The City of St. Louis has long invested in a citywide recycling program with the goal of reducing landfill use, promoting environmental stewardship, and encouraging sustainable behaviors.

However, the program has not been as effective due to extreme levels of contamination in alley recycling containers. To address this issue and ensure more clean recyclables, the decision was made to shift to Drop-off Recycling Locations.

Reason for the Shift

Recycling contamination rates have long been an issue. During fiscal year 2025, over half of recycling collected was rejected at the Republic Services Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Rejected materials are rerouted to the landfill yet the City pays full recycling costs without receiving the environmental benefits or economic returns. This is especially detrimental as recycling costs the City almost five times more per ton than trash.

Ultimately, for the recycling program to succeed, the City needs more clean recyclables. Drop-off Recycling Locations have proven to be a far more effective alternative than shared alley dumpsters. This shift away from alley recycling will also free up resources to focus on improved trash collection.

How to Recycle

Residents with alley recycling are encouraged to use one of the City’s 26 Residential Recycling Drop-Off Locations. The Drop-Off Recycling locations are collected separately from trash routes and are taken directly to Republic Services MRF for processing. The City has a goal to add 13 more drop-off sites so every resident has a recycling drop-off within one mile of their home. Follow us for updates on new dropoff site locations. Learn what you can recycle here.

For convenient transport to drop-off sites, consider using an in-home recycling bin to keep your recyclables loose, clean and dry. Pick up your free bin at the Saint Louis City Recycles office. If transporting recyclables in a plastic bag, please reuse or dispose of the bag in a nearby trash can. Plastic bags are not accepted in drop-off recycling bins.

Blue alley dumpsters will now be used for landfill trash disposal. Blue and brown solid waste dumpsters will all be collected together.

Trash Bill Information

At this time, the $14/month flat rate bill will not change. This fee covers comprehensive waste services, including trash, yard waste, recycling, bulk pick-up, and 12 annual drop-offs at a City transfer station. This amount is far below local and national averages for residential waste services. Further, this fee generates only a portion of what it costs to operate the Refuse Division annually.

Rollcart Customers

Recycling has not changed for residents who use a recycling rollcart.

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