Recycling Program

In addition to solid waste disposal, the county-operated sites also provide for the collection of several recyclable materials. All centers accept PET and HDPE plastic, aluminum cans, newspapers, mixed paper, cardboard and scrap metal.

New Recycling Guidelines

Source separation is required for all recyclable materials - All materials need to be separated and deposited into the appropriate container designated for each recyclable item. Items should be rinsed to remove food residue and checked for non-recyclable items prior to arriving at the centers. Lancaster County Convenience Centers can no longer accept mixed recyclables, glass, bagged recyclables, trash bags, plastic shopping bags, plastic shrink wrap or packaging plastics, including styrofoam products, which are now considered undesirable items that cannot be placed in the recycling bins to be recycled.

Plastic Recycling

Did you know recycling just ten plastic bottles saves enough energy to power a laptop for more than 25 hours?

Recycle plastics #1 and #2. Look on the bottom of containers for a number inside the recycling arrows.

Acceptable Items

  • Milk jugs (no cartons)
  • Water/Soda bottles
  • Shampoo/Soap/Detergent bottles

Unacceptable Items

  • Plastics # 3 through #7
  • Plastic Bags/Trash bags
  • Shrink wrap or packaging plastics
  • Bagged or mixed recyclables such as: Glass, metals, mixed paper and cardboard

Aluminum/Metal Recycling

Did you know recycling just one ton of aluminum cans conserves more than 1,024 gallons of gasoline?

Recycle all food and beverage metal cans - steel, tin, bi-metal and aluminum.

Acceptable Items

  • Aluminum beverage cans
  • Food cans
  • Scrap metal

Unacceptable Items

  • Plastic shopping bags including trash bags and paper bags
  • Bagged or mixed recyclables such as: Glass. Plastics, mixed paper and cardboard
  • Clothes hangers

Glass Recycling - Suspended

Glass will no longer be accepted at county convenience centers as a recyclable material. There is no market or outlet available for glass recycling. Glass should be placed with your general waste for disposal.

Paper Recycling

Did you know paper makes up nearly 30 percent of waste generated each year?

Recycle envelopes, office paper, junk mail, greeting cards and file folders loosely or in paper bags only. Shredded paper should be put in a paper bag and stapled before placing in recycling bin.

Acceptable Items

  • Newspaper
  • Envelopes
  • Junk mail
  • Phone books
  • Brochures
  • Magazines

Unacceptable Items

  • Shredded paper or any paper product in plastic bags
  • Mixed recyclables such as: Plastic, glass, cardboard or metals

Cardboard Recycling

Did you know greasy pizza boxes are not recyclable?

Acceptable Items

  • Corrugated Cardboard boxes
  • Dry food packaging boxes

Unacceptable Items

  • Frozen food or any boxes containing a wax coating
  • Plastic bags or mixed recyclables such as: Plastics, glass, metals or mixed paper

Scrap Metal Recycling

Did you Know the United States annually processes more than 250 billion lbs. of scrap material — the weight of more than 70 million cars.

Appliance Dealers are required to remove refrigerants from freezers, refrigerators and air conditioners prior to disposal at the centers.

Acceptable Items

  • Refrigerators
  • Washers and Dryers
  • Ovens
  • Grills
  • Riding and Push Lawn Mowers
  • Water Heaters
  • Air Conditioners
  • Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Stainless Steel and Scrap Steel

Unacceptable Items

  • Garbage or hazardous materials
  • Auto or Marine Batteries
  • Metal Framed Glass windows or shower doors

Visit the Plastic Film Recycling web site and enter your zip code for a list of stores that offer plastic bag recycling.

For more information on Lancaster County's solid waste and recycling program and guidelines, e-mail Donald Brown or call (804) 462-5129.