Recycling FAQs

Why should I recycle?

Recycling is one of the easiest ways every citizen can contribute to a cleaner environment. Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. It’s wasteful not to recycle. Some of the key benefits of recycling:

Where can I recycle in Kaufman County?

Click here to locate the recycling drop-off site nearest you. Or call the Environmental Co-op at 972-524-0007.

Do I pay to recycle at the drop-off sites?

The drop-off sites are provided at no cost to citizens through grants from the North Central Texas Council of Governments and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, in conjunction with the cities and Kaufman County. Cost of municipal curbside recycling programs in included in the monthly refuse fee.

Why can’t I recycle glass in Terrell and Pct. 2?

Recyclable materials go to a processor, or Material Recovery Facility (MRF), for sorting, handling and marketing. Our processor does not have a market for glass at this time due to the low price for unprocessed glass. It is not economically feasible for every processor to take glass at this time. If we see an upturn in the market, we will accept glass. The Kaufman and Pct. 4 Recycling locations still take glass because they have a different processor.

Can I recycle my plastic grocery bags?

You can recycle them by taking them back to the store where you got them. Most large retail chains provide a container to put returned plastic bags in? We don’t take plastic bags at the recycling centers due to the difficulty it causes the processor when the bags get hung up in their sorting equipment.

You can also find creative ways to REUSE bags. Check this website for creative ways to reuse plastic bags:
http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/gallery/0,21863,1097755,00.html

I collect my plastic bottles and cans in a plastic bag and then take the bag to the nearest recycling location. Why do I have to take the bottles and cans out of the bag before putting the stuff into the recycling container?

When materials get to the MRF, they are sorted by people on an assembly line. The sorters are not allowed to open bags on the sort line due to health reasons. Materials in bags are discarded. It’s best to open the bags and them dump the materials into the recycling container.

Why do I have to rinse my bottles and cans?

A quick rinse helps eliminate odor and pests between visits to the drop-off sites and make for cleaner processing