What and where can I recycle?
Is curbside recycling available to me?
Why can’t we recycle glass in our curbside program?
Glass is not accepted in curbside or commercial co-mingled recycling. If glass were to break in the curbside container, during transit, or during the sorting process, the shards from glass mix in with the recyclable paper. These shards of glass cause huge problems for paper recyclers and can deem the mixed paper or cardboard unrecyclable. Clear glass is not currently accepted at Yakima County Landfills for recycling.
Why can we not recycle glass in Yakima County?
It’s important to think of recycling as a business, because that helps you understand why certain materials are in higher demand. Glass has two things going against it in the recycling game: weight and flexibility.
Glass bottles weigh more than plastic and metal, and heavier products cost more to ship. Plus, you can crush and bale a load of aluminum cans or plastic bottles, which reduces space needed in a truck that would otherwise be filled by air.
These two factors often make it more expensive to transport glass for recycling, resulting in a lower resale value. There is currently not a close enough market to Yakima to ship glass. Hauling long distances to recycle glass is not cost effective or environmentally responsible.
How do I recycle my CFL’s and fluorescent tubes?
CFL’s are considered hazardous waste (contain mercury) and need to be recycled appropriately. Please bring CFL’s and fluorescent lights to the Terrace Heights Landfill, Household Hazardous Waste Facility. There is no charge to recycle these bulbs. Home Depot also offers a free CFL bulb recycling program at all of their stores.
Where do I recycle an old TV?
Televisions contain hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in a landfill. Beginning January 1, 2009 recycling televisions will be free to Washington State residents. (more information)
Where do I recycle an old computer?
Computers contain hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in a landfill. Beginning January 1, 2009, computer recycling will be free to Washington State residents. Currently, other recycling options exist. Please check out the following link for computer recycling options: Recycling Electronics
Can I recycle shredded paper?
If you participate in curbside or commercial recycling, shredded paper is accepted in your bin. Please place shredded material in a clear plastic bag, paper sack, or cardboard box. If you do not participate in curbside or commercial recycling, Central Washington Recycling (102 North 2nd Ave. Yakima) accepts shredded paper for free.
Do the labels need to come off when I recycle my bottles and steel/tin cans?
You do not need to remove the labels off plastic bottles or steel/tin cans. Simply rinse out the container and place in your recycling bin.
Do I need to remove the caps from my soda bottles and milk jugs?
Yes, you do need to remove the caps from soda and water bottles and milk jugs. The lids to plastic bottles are made of different grades of plastic than the bottle itself. Mixing lids in with plastic bottles will diminish the value of bottle-grade plastic collected in that fashion. Bottle caps can be recycled separately through the Aveda Recycle Caps program.
AVEDA Recycle Caps Program accepts bottle caps that are rigid polypropylene plastic, sometimes noted with a 5 in the chasing arrows recycling symbol. This includes caps that twist on with a threaded neck such as caps on shampoo, water, soda, milk and other beverage bottles, flip top caps on tubes and food product bottles (such as ketchup and mayonnaise), laundry detergents and some jar lids such as peanut butter.
What kinds of plastics can I recycle?
Recycling drop-off sites throughout the county and at Central Washington Recycling currently accept clear plastics #1 and 2. Plastic #1 includes soda and water bottles. Plastic #2 includes milk/water jugs.
If you participate in curbside or commercial recycling through Yakima Waste Systems you can recycle plastics #1-7, which have a neck.
Why won’t recyclers take #1 or 2 plastic unless it is a bottle or has a neck?
Even though plastic bottles and tubs (example: butter or yogurt) might have the same number inside their recycling symbols, they are not really made of the same identical material. Bottles are produced through one kind of molding process and tubs through another, and these two processes require different plastic mixtures that melt at different temperatures. If these plastic containers are recycled together, the result is a mixture of material that has little value in a second round of manufacturing. If separated, they each have greater value. Unfortunately, even when plastic tubs are collected separately, they have relatively little value as a material to manufacturers.
How can I tell which number of plastic I have?
Every plastic container that enters Washington State must have a number. Most plastics show a tiny recycling symbol (triangle) with the number located inside the triangle.
I was charged regular rate for bringing in bags of leaves into the landfill. I thought Yakima County provided a discounted rate for leaves, branches and grass?
Chances are that you brought in your yard waste in plastic bags. Yakima County runs all yard waste through a chipper and plastic bags would damage the equipment and contaminate the chipped yard waste. To receive the discount, bring in your leaves in the back of a truck covered with a tarp. For a complete list of what we accept in our program, see our Composting/Yard Waste information or download Recycling Yard Waste brochure.
Does Yakima County sell compost?
Yakima County offers chipped yard waste material free to the public. The yard waste is technically not compost, it hasn’t been turned, watered and monitored for temperatures needed to kill weed seeds. The chipped yard waste would be great to take home and compost in your yard. More information can be found in the backyard composting brochure. The chipped yard waste is free to anyone who wants to pick it up at the Terrace Heights Landfill location. More information about recycling yard waste can be found in our brochure.
Does anyone offer curbside yard waste pickup in Yakima County?
Yes, many cities offer curbside yard waste pickup. Contact your city utility department or download our Recycling Yard Waste Brochure for more information.
I was charged an “Unsecured Load Fee” at my last trip to the landfill. What is this?
In May of 2005, Yakima County passed an unsecured load ordinance (Yakima County Code Section 6.02.030) to help prevent roadside litter and to encourage the safe transport of material over our roadways. The Yakima County unsecured load fee can be $5.00 or $15.00 depending on the capacity of your vehicle. Washington State also has an unsecured load fine which is $194 and an additional fine for littering which can range from $103 to $5,000 depending on the size of the item. Remember to cover and/or secure all loads (more information) brought into Yakima landfills. For more information see: Solid Waste Landfill Fees