Recycling & Waste

OUR MISSION:

The Independence County Solid Waste Division mission is to provide quality and environmentally sound solid waste program for the residents of Independence County by using an integrated approach of waste reduction, recycling, disposal and education.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Independence County Recycling Center’s operating hours are Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our local recycling facility is located off of U.S Hwy 167 North on 110 Environmental Drive.

What Can I Recycle?

image of recycled materials

There are recycling rules as far as what can and cannot be recycled.

Paper: Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, office and school paper, phone books, etc. Keep dry; wet paper cannot be recycled.

Cardboard: Corrugated boxes, non-refrigerated food and shoe boxes, paper bags. Flatten these items. OK wet or dry. (Frozen food and soda container boxes are not recyclable.)

Plastic: Beverage, milk, juice, food, detergent, lotion, etc. Remove lid, empty contents and rinse. If the opening is smaller than the bottom, the county can recycle it. No butter tubs, lids, auto fluids, herbicides or pesticide bottles. Leave labels on.

Aluminum and Tin Cans: Empty contents and rinse. Drop metal lid into can and leave labels on.

Glass: Beverage, food bottles and jars only. Remove lids, empty contents and rinse. Items that need to be dropped off at your local recycling facility: Electronics including any equipment with microchips.

What cannot be recycled?

Cat Litter Plastic Buckets Christmas Lights
Plastic Sacks & Toys Cat Food Cans Dirty Diapers
Camping/Folding Chairs Egg Cartons Window Blinds
Laundry Baskets Clothes Hangers Water Hoses
Plastic Furniture Tissue Paper Extension Cords

 

Staff

Recycling Center's Plant Manager

Eric Hedges
image of bundles of recycled materials

WASTE REDUCTION AND REUSE

The simplest way to manage waste is not to create it in the first place. That's the idea behind waste reduction and reuse. Households, businesses, industries and governments can all make adjustments in everyday activities that result in less waste. One of the easiest things to do is pay attention to what you buy. Is there a lot of excess packaging? Is the container or the product reusable or recyclable? How much stuff are you paying for that you have to throw away?

Businesses and industries can really help with waste reduction efforts. Independence County Recycling Program can provide one-on-one technical assistance on waste reduction to any business, industry, school or government that requests it at no charge. If you are interested in learning more about waste reduction efforts or would like to schedule a waste reduction evaluation, contact Eric Hedges at (870) 793-8892.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

Independence County provides ongoing training opportunities available to the public.

Speakers available to do programs on a variety of solid waste related topics.

Independence County participates in the county fair and community events by setting up education displays.

Independence County has a series of brochures about solid waste topics and recycling programs.

If you would like more information about any of these services, including copies of publications, recycling rules, speakers or a fair/event display, Debbie Landers at the County Judge’s Office (870) 793-8800 or Sandra Tucker with WRPDD (870) 793-5233.

Solid Waste

Independence County Solid Waste operates Monday  through Thursday 7:00-5:00. Our office is located at 100 County Yard Road.