Recycling Guidelines and Resources

Single-stream recycling is experiencing challenges due to increased stringent standards overseas and increasing recycling costs. Contamination in recyclable materials led China to impose stricter policies on the materials it would accept. This policy change raised costs for recycling processors and required Brentwood to find a new materials recycling facility when Waste Management closed its recycling center in late October 2018. The City of Brentwood’s Sanitation Department now delivers the collected recycling items to Republic Services’ materials recycling facility in Hazelwood, Missouri.

RECYCLE RESPONSIBLY

DO add to the Recycling Bin:

Paper
Flattened Cardboard
Plastic Bottles and Containers
Glass Bottles and Jars
Metal Food and Beverage Cans
Food and Beverage Cartons

Keep these items loose (not in plastic bags), clean and dry.

DON’T add to the Recycling Bin:

Plastic Bags and Film
Styrofoam
Shredded Paper that is not in a paper bag
Sharps and Needles
Food Waste and Food-Soiled Containers
Liquids
One-Time-Use Disposables (such as plastic straws and utensils)
Items that Tangle (such as Christmas tree lights and garden hoses)
Batteries
Light Bulbs and Glass that is not a bottle or jar
Scrap Metal
Shoes and Clothing
Construction Waste
Household Hazardous Waste
Yard Waste

WISH-CYCLING

"Wish-cycling" is the practice of placing questionable items in your recycling bin with the hope that the items will be recycled. Even if this is done with good intentions, the impact can be harmful. Wish-cycling is detrimental because it puts a lot of items in the recycling stream that don't belong there, can contaminate perfectly good recyclables, and can damage the equipment in recycling facilities. Items like garden hoses, extension cords, plastic bags, paper cups and plastic utensils all reduce the value of recyclables. Stick to the list of six acceptable items so Brentwood can gain the most from its recycling program.