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Recycling
Recycling is one of the easiest and most effective ways for Dallas residents to get involved in the City’s efforts to protect the environment. We can all do our part to sort out discarded materials from our trash that could otherwise be used again. It is all about efficiency.
DO YOU have an interest in reducing water pollution, air pollutants, and mining waste? Well, by recycling you can do just that.
You can also drop-off your recyclables at any one of the numerous drop-off locations in Dallas. See a complete list of locations at Sanitation's web site.
Dallas’ Recycling Efforts and Accomplishments:
Waste has no place in Dallas, which is why the City is so proud of the recycling efforts already made by its residents and is looking forward to coming up with new, innovative ways to make the process even more simple and accessible to everyone. Record numbers show that the Dallas community is recycling more and discarding less helping us to maintain our efforts of being an environmental leader.
- Dallas continues to increase their recycling volume from 9,680 tons in FY 2005-06 to 20,149 tons in FY 2006-07 and to 29,664 tons in FY 2007-08!
- The City’s goal is to increase that figure to 35,000 tons in FY 2007-08 and 45,000 tons by 2011, with a residential participation rate of at least 50 percent of households.
- The City of Dallas’ “Too Good To Throw Away” Recycling Program offers several convenient features:
- Convenient Single Stream Recycling means no sorting necessary! Don’t bother sorting…just simply place all recyclables into your blue recycling bag or blue recycling roll cart and the City’s Sanitation Services will collect them on your scheduled dates.
- Large 96 gallon recycling rollcarts give residents plenty of room to recycle.
- Blue recycling bags are still accepted and available, giving people another option in how they choose to recycle. Blue bags are available at all City libraries and recreation centers.
Did you know….About 75 percent of what people currently throw into the trash is “too good to throw away” and could be reused for another purpose? Challenge your friends, family members and neighbors to think about what might be “too good to throw away” and encourage them to join the large-scale city-wide effort to lead the country to a more environmentally-sustainable future through recycling!
Recycle Right! Big Blue Rollcart Recyclable Items Include:
- Glass: Bottles and jars of any color (Please note: for the safety of our collection staff, please place any broken glass in a paper bag before placing in your rollcart or blue bag)
- No window glass. No light bulbs. No ceramics. No mirrors. No Pyrex. No fiberglass.
- Plastics: Containers labeled #1 - #7. You can find the plastics number in the recycling triangle on the base of the container.
If in doubt, put it in the cart - we'll sort it out, if need be. - No plastic grocery bags (regardless of number in recycle symbol). No Styrofoam or peanuts. No chemical containers. No toys. No plastic utensils.
- Metals: Steel, tin, and aluminum (labels do not need to be removed). Empty aerosol (non-hazardous) cans are OK too.
- No aluminum foil. No pie plates. No parts. No toys. No electronics. No appliances.
- Paper products & Cardboard: Newspapers and inserts, window envelopes, magazines, catalogs, paperbacked books, phone books, food and detergent boxes, paper egg cartons, 12-pack drink cartons, folded corrugated boxes, cardboard boxes, cereal boxes.
- No rubber bands. No plastic wrapping. No hardback books. No waxed cardboard. No plastic or foil-lined cereal or cracker boxes. No pizza delivery boxes or food contaminated boxes.
- No rubber bands. No plastic wrapping. No hardback books. No waxed cardboard. No plastic or foil-lined cereal or cracker boxes. No pizza delivery boxes or food contaminated boxes.
Recyclable items DO NOT include:
- Styrofoam
- Food waste
- Electronics (see info on e-cycling below)
- Yard waste (grass trimmings, branches, leaves) please leave these items for the once-monthly Brush/Bulk collection
Electronics Recycling (e-cycling)
Have you ever noticed how the “latest gadget” becomes obsolete immediately? Something newer and better becomes available almost before you get your new gadget home!
Well, don’t trash your electronics…e-cycle! Currently, less than 4% of the more than 500 million retired cell phones in the United States are recycled.
From TVs and computers to cell phones and video games and everything in-between, the City of Dallas Sanitation Services Department offers two convenient ways for you to recycle your old electronics:
- Drop-off locations: Drop-off your electronics at one of our four Stop, Drop & Go! drop-off locations around the city.
- Recycling Roundup: Bring your electronics, e-waste, and even small appliances. You can also bring other items not accepted in your Big Blue Rollcart like toys, clothing, florescent light bulbs, batteries, and more. Roundups are held periodically during the year. Check www.GreenDallas.net for the latest dates and locations.
The City of Dallas also works with two non-profit organizations that collect inkjet/laser jet cartridges, cell phones and PDAs (palm digital assistant/handheld computers). Please visit their websites for more information.
Cartridges for Kids
Recycle to Eradicate Poverty
Chemical Disposal/Recycling
Household chemicals and used oils can be recycled. Don’t just dump them in the trash! These items can be dangerous for children who may be playing around or have access to your trash can.
Take these items to:
Home Chemical Collection Center
11234 Plano Road, Dallas, Texas 75243
(214) 553-1765
For more recycling information, visit the City of Dallas Sanitation Services Recycling web page or call the City’s “Recycle Line” (214) 670-4475.
Resources
North Texas Corporate Recycling Association
