Recycling is available to all residents and is collected once a week.  All recyclables should be rinsed.  All materials are to be placed in a designated and labeled recycling bin provided by the resident or rented through Republic Services. In Clayton, we have single stream recycling, which mean you can throw all recycling in one bin.  Below is a list of items that can be recycled as well as a quick reference sheet with guidelines on what should not be recycled.

Recycling and Compost Guide

Recycling and Reuse Locations - locations where household items, plastic bags, and other materials can be recycled.

Dirty Dozen of Recycling - items that should not be placed in recycle bin.

Containers: Glass, Plastic & Cans

• Aluminum cans, trays and foil
• Table top containers, such as milk and juice cartons
• Steel and tins cans (including aerosol)
• #1, 2,3,4,5, and 7 clear or colored plastic such as detergent fabric softener, coffee containers, yogurt cups, household cleaners ad beauty aids, beverage bottles and food containers. 
• Plastic buckets, such as kitty litter containers (5 gallon size maximum).                                          
• Glass bottles and jars (clear, brown, green); does not include window glass, dinnerware or ceramics.

Paper:

• Newspaper, including inserts (no plastic sleeves)
• Cardboard (no waxed cardboard)
• Kraft (brown paper) bags
• Magazines, catalogs and telephone books
• Office computer paper, notebooks and gift wrap paper (no metal clips, spirals, binders)
• Chipboard (cereal, cake & food mix boxes, gift boxes with plastic insides removed)
• Carrier Stock (soda & beer can carrying cases)
• Mail, junk mail and envelopes (no plastic cards, stick-on labels or unused stamps)
• Paperback books (no hard cover books)

Non-Recyclable Material:

• Paint or spray paint cans.
• Mirrors, light bulbs, pesticide/herbicide containers
• Plastic wrappers
• Bleach or motor oil containers
• No household hazardous waste (wet paint, strong cleaning agents, tires, auto batteries, etc.) For more information about Household Hazardous Waste you can call the Waste Management Branch of St. Louis County.
• Textiles (Local alternatives for textile recycling are below)
  • USAgain
  • Remains, Inc.
  • Goodwill
  • Salvation Army 

If it is raining the day of pick up, we ask you to take any paper material out of the recycling and save for the next pick up day.  Multi-family buildings should contact their building management with any questions.

The City of Clayton offers Electronic Recycling Events, additional information regarding events will be highlighted on the website as the event approaches.

Did You Know?

Americans throw away 25% more waste during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday season more than any other time of year. This extra garbage amounts to 1 million tons of waste.

• Holiday Recycling Ideas