Utilities
Yes & No Recycling Materials Lists
Trash & Recycling Contact Information
The City of Emporia is pleased to bring you curbside recycling service beginning June 1st, 2015
As of June 1st, 2015, The City of Emporia offers the convenience of residential curbside, single stream (also known as single sort) recycling to all single-family and multi-family units of four or less. In May, eligible households will receive a new polycart with a green lid for recyclables. While the program is not mandatory, residents are encouraged to participate.
It’s Convenient
Recyclables are picked up biweekly on the resident’s designated trash collection day. This means you will roll both your trash cart and your recycling cart to the curb every other week. This service is provided at no additional cost for single-family and multi-family units of four or less.
It’s Easy
Single stream recycling means no sorting of recyclables! All permitted recyclable materials including paper, cardboard, glass, metals, and plastics may be combined and placed into your new cart with the green lid. (see YES list)
Recyclables are picked up and transported to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where they are sorted, processed and sold for reuse.
General Guidelines
Permitted recyclable materials must be placed in the cart with the green lid.
- Do not bag recyclables
- No items smaller than 2 inches (remove caps and lids)
- Rinse off food residue
- Paper materials must be clean and dry
- Flatten cardboard boxes and cartons
- Do not flatten plastic bottles, jugs, metal or aluminum cans
- Do not use one container, for example a plastic coffee can and pack it tightly with crushed aluminum cans or plastic bottles. If that is the case, this will be considered trash.
- Do not crush aluminum cans, PET bottles, HDPE milk and other containers. Please leave those whole otherwise, they either fall through the screens and end up going out with the trash, or the machines don't recognize what the container is and requires hand sorting.
Recycling carts may not be used for trash, yard waste or any material other than permitted recyclable materials. (see No List)
Tell your friends:
Apartments of more than four units and residents outside the city limits are not currently eligible for the city’s curbside recycling program but may continue to use the drop centers at the South Avenue facility or Thursday noon to Friday noon at Dillon’s. Recyclables will no longer have to be sorted after June 1.
Recycling is Important
Recycling
- reduces landfill waste
- saves natural resources and
- improves the environment.
Did you know?
- In 2017 Emporia shipped 48,088 tons of trash.
- In 2017 Emporia recycled 1,057 tons of processed curbside recycling mater.
- In 2017 Emporia processed 359.92 tons of trees and brush every month, totalling 4,314.29 tons altogether.
Your participation in curbside recycling will help us double or triple our current residential recycling volumes.
Recycle Emporia! Curb it!
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If you require accommodations due to a disability to participate in any event, meeting or activity, or require an alternative format of oral or written materials, contact Shelly Kelley, City of Emporia Community Services Officer/ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to need at 620-343-4291 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Every attempt will be made to provide a reasonable accommodation.