Lexington restarts curbside recycling program after 10-day closure
Lexington residents can start putting curbside recycling into bins starting Monday.
Lexington Recycle Center re-opened Monday after being closed Dec. 4 to Dec. 15 so the city could make repairs to the Thompson Road recycling center. Any recycling collected during the closure was taken to the Lexington landfill.
The baler, which compacts recycled materials into large blocks that are then shipped and sold, was replaced. A fabric covering over the center’s tipping floor, where recyclables are dumped, also was replaced due to wear and tear.
Lexington is trying to decrease the amount of contaminated recycling. Contaminated or dirty recycling cannot be re-sold. City officials stress people should only recycle certain items. Mixing non-recyclable items with those that can be recycled can up contamination rates and damage equipment.
Here are the items Lexington residents can recycle:
- aluminum and steel cans, lids and canisters
- #1 and #2 plastic bottles, jars and jugs (caps optional)
- paper (not shredded)
- cartons (caps optional)
- glass bottles and jars
- cardboard
- paperboard
Never put other metal or plastic items, medical waste, batteries or electronics in recycle carts or Dumpsters. Do not use the recycle cart as a trash can. Recycling should not be bagged.
Unwanted items pose a risk to employees and can damage equipment, city officials said.
Metal can be taken to Cohen Lexington or other scrap metal facilities. Plastic bag drop-off bins are available at many local grocery stores.
Electronics can be taken to the city’s Electronic Recycling facility on Versailles Road. Hours and accepted items are available at https://lexingtonky.gov/living/waste-collection/electronics-recycling.
This story was originally published December 16, 2024 at 12:27 PM.
