How to Recycle in Kansas City

Want to do your part and help out the environment? The easiest way to start the 'go-green' process is by recycling things we use everyday in our households, nach. According to the Kansas City Public Works department, KC collected approximately 19,000 tons of recyclable material in 2006.

People e-mail me all the time asking how, where, and when they can recycle in KC--because frankly, the whole process can be somewhat confusing. Here is the About.com Kansas City Guide with everything you need to know about how to Recycle in Kansas City.

If you live within the Kansas City Metro City Limits, the easiest way to recycle is to join the KC Recycles Program (link). This curbside program provides a Blue Recycle Bin to each household within the city limits (single family residences and apartments of 6 or fewer units) which is picked up on the same day as your regular trash pick-up. Just sit your Blue Bin on the curb and the city will do the rest--and you don't even have to separate!

To get your Blue Bin, call Call 816.513.1313 for a complimentary coupon to get your FREE bin. Pick up your bin at select Price Choppers and Westlake Hardware's.

What's Recyclable in the Blue Bins:

• Aluminum and metal cans
• Plastic bottles with a neck (#1 & #2 symbols),
• Water and pop bottles, milk jugs and detergent bottles
• Paper products including office paper, junk mail, newspapers, phone books, catalogues and magazines. Cardboard (thick corrugated and thin cereal box-type)

  What's Not Recyclable in the Blue Bins:

  • Glass
  • Plastic bags
  • Styrofoam
  • Motor oil bottles and automotive product bottles
  • Egg cartons
  • Paper towels, tissues or napkins, plates or cups
  • Waxed containers, like milk cartons or juice boxes
  • Gift wrap
  • Shredded paper
  • Plastic tubs
    Kansas City Recycles Drop-off Program::
    KC Recycles also has a drop-off program--drop off your recyclables at the following locations:
    • Metro North Mall, 400 NW Barry Rd.(North parking lot)
    • UMKC (4745 Forest)
    • Bannister Mall (91st and Hill Crest) in the Wal-Mart Parking Lot
    • Environmental Campus (4707 Deramus)

      For all information visit the KCMO Recycle First Website.

      Kansas Recycling Programs:
      If you live on the Kansas side of Kansas City there are also many great ways to recycle. Deffenbaugh Industries Trash Services provides curbside recycling throughout most neighborhoods in Johnson County, Kansas and surrounding areas. Check the Deffenbaugh Website for all information on a program in your area.

      Deffenbaugh also has a weekend recycling program at the Johnson County Landfill.
      Location: I-435 & Holliday Drive, Shawnee, Kansas (open weekends only) Sat. & Sun. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

      Other Places to Recycle in Kansas:
      The Mid America Regional Council (MARC) has numerous environmental programs. You can recycle at these (and many other) recycling centers throughout Johnson County and surrounding areas.

      Abitibi Recycling: (Open 24 hrs) 14125 W. 95th St., Overland Park
      Community Living- Overland Park 6900 W. 80th St., Overland Park
      Community Living-- 200 W. Santa Fe, Overland Park

      RecycleSpot.org:
      Also visit RecycleSpot.org--just throw in your location and what you want to recycle (everything from oil and metal to paper and plastic), and they'll find a recycling location near you.