Huntsville

Recycling Guidelines

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

No Glass – Plastic, paper, metal accepted together, but not glass

PLASTIC

Look for plastic items labeled #1 - #5. Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers.

  • #1 AND #2 NARROW-NECK PLASTIC BOTTLES
  • Including water, soda and condiment bottles, soap containers, milk jugs, and laundry detergent bottles
  • Empty and rinse the bottles before placing them in the cart
  • Plastic caps (twist on/off) can be recycled by dropping them off at any Huntsville Fire Station or at participating Huntsville City or private schools
Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers
Plastic, single-serve to-go containers with no food residue

METAL

Look for tin, aluminum and other metal items

  • Aluminum cans and steel bi-metal cans
  • Lids and labels can remain on the cans
  • Empty and rinse before placing them loosely in the cart

Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans

PAPER

Look for Paper items

  • Newspapers and inserts
  • Magazines and catalogs
  • Junk mail and stationery
  • Computer and printer paper
  • School and office paper
  • Paperback books and phone books
  • Paper bags
  • Paper must be dry when placed in the cart
  • Shredded paper can be bagged in paper bags, not plastic bags
  • Cardboard must be clean, dry and broken down to fit in the cart
  • Break down boxes to fit inside the cart with the lid closed

Paper can be recycled up to seven times, depending on the quality

Cardboard tubes from wrapping or toilet paper rolls

OTHERS

Other items that may be recycled

  • Clean and dry cartons such as tissue boxes, cereal, pasta and cardboard egg crates
Check with your leasing office for official guidelines
Click the “Recycling Resources” for more details

No Glass – Plastic, paper, metal accepted together, but not glass

Doorstep Recycling Collection
Place acceptable recyclables in a securely tied, see-thru bag, separate from your trash and place in your bin, outside your front door with your scheduled trash collection.

When in Doubt – Toss it Out
Please do not place any unacceptable items in communal recycling containers or in your household recycling bags. Remember, if recycling contains “contaminants” (non-recyclable items or containers not properly cleaned), the whole batch may be rejected and sent to a land fill. When in doubt – best to toss it out!

What can NOT be recycled

  • Glass
  • Pizza boxes
  • Styrofoam
  • Electronics
  • Yard waste
  • Wood
  • Food waste
  • Paint cans
  • Chemicals
  • Plastic wrap or plastic bags
  • Tanglers (hoses, wires, hangers, chains)
  • Aerosol cans
  • Aluminium foil
  • Tin pie pans
  • Deli trays or fruit containers/baskets and wide mouth plastics (sour cream, yogurt, and margarine containers)
  • Ceramics
  • Windows
  • Mirrors

Multifamily-specific highlights. Check with your municipality for the latest guidelines.

The  RANA (Recycling Alliance of North Alabama) program managed by the Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Huntsville Alabama does not provide curbside recycling service to commercial or multi-family properties.
Recycling Drop Off Locations: (Known recyclers in the  area)

METALS ONLY –
SA Recycling, 256-539-0770 – 606 Triana Blvd – M-F – 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Accepts:  All types of Metals, appliances, cars  – Will NOT take any metal cylinders or propane tanks (HHW instead).
ACB Metals, 256-830-0424 – 4684-B Commercial Dr. – M -F 8:00 to 4:00 p.m., S 8:00 -12:00 p.m.
Accepts:  Most metals, but not steel.
Harmon Scrap Metals, 256-693-1020 – 15235 Hwy 231/431 N, Hazel Green – M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., S 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Accepts:  Most metals – aluminum, steel, (No chain link fences)

MIXED PAPER OR CARDBOARD –
South Central Recycling, 256-881-2362, 2015 Vermont Rd – M-F  – 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
FIBER (Cardboard, OCC, paper, newspapers, magazines, office paper) – WestRock, 256-533-9888 – 205 Wholesale Dr. – M-F – 8:00 to 3:30 p.m.

GLASS –
No facility available at this time.

PLASTICS –
No facility available at this time.

MOTOR OIL, BATTERIES & PROPANE TANKS OR CYLINDERS –
Household Hazardous Waste Facility – 1055 A Cleaner Way – M-F 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Learn more about recycling in your city.

For more information, please contact:

Solid Waste Authority
5251 Triana Blvd. SW
Huntsville, AL 35805
256-880-6054
Doc Holladay, Executive DIrector
[email protected]

This information is not your official community or municipality guidelines. Recycling mandates may change based on the local processing capabilities and shifting markets. Contact your leasing office or local recycling agency to learn more or use the links under the “Recycling Resources"