Materials Accepted for Recycling

Download and print our Materials Guide - This guide lists Commonly Accepted & Not Accepted Materials as well as providing Recycling Tips.



In alphabetical order, here is our most up to date list of materials we can recycle:
*Please note that if it is not listed, it is not accepted for recycling. This flyer has not yet been updated to include the new materials being accepted as of July 1st. See the list below as this has been updated.

All fees for memberships, paper shredding, paint, freon removal, televisions and electronics can only be paid on paypal using the link on this website. Cash or Check is the only form of payment accepted on site.

American Flags

  • Volunteers take gently used American Flags to either the American Legion Hall or Boy Scout Troops for proper retirement.

Appliances

  • We accept stoves, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, freezers, air conditioners, water coolers, etc. A general rule of thumb for recycling appliances is: any item that is 85% metals can be recycled. So this list also contains lawn mowers, gas grills, etc. among other items. However please make sure all fluids are drained out of such metal items.

  • For all items containing Freon, members will be charged $10 per item and non-members will be charged $15 per item


  • Batteries

  • We accept all sizes of household batteries, lithium, and hearing aid batteries. Lithium batteries need to be kept separate from Alkaline batteries. All Lithium batteries must have the terminals sealed with clear packing tape, all 9V and larger batteries also must have the terminals sealed with clear packing tape. Please no duct tape or colored tape. Effective January 1, 2020 MDOT is mandating by law these changes in the collection and transporting of used batteries.

  • We cannot accept car batteries

Cardboard/Boxboard

  • We accept all corrugated cardboard. Please flatten and remove any inner linings from all corrugated cardboard and box-board such as Kleenex boxes. Only place box-board that has a brown/gray color on the inside with cardboard. Box-board that has a white lining belongs with mixed paper. Brown paper bags also belong with cardboard. No need to remove staples.

  • We cannot accept plastic or waxy coated refrigerator or freezer containers such as milk containers, orange juice, ice cream, etc. even if the container contains a recycling symbol.

Cell Phones

  • We accept all makes and models of cell phones and accessories.

Christmas Lights

  • We accept the strings of Christmas lights and there is no need to remove the bulbs.

  • We cannot accept just the light bulbs

Clothing, Towels, Shoes, Etc.

  • New, used, worn, laundered clothing of all types including jackets, coats, sweaters, undergarments, athletic wear, bathing suits, hats, gloves, socks, dress up costumes, blankets, sheets, towels, cloth shower curtains, comforters, cloth curtains, and more…basically any material that is cloth and clean. All shoes in fairly good condition will be accepted. Please no high heels, flip flops, or shoes so worn out no one could have a use for them. We cannot accept pillows, foam type mattress tops. or mattresses.

  • Of course if the item is still in great repair, wonderful! However, stained, torn, worn out clothing or material (think old towels, sheets, rags) are welcome as well, even that one lost sock or underwear. All items must be clean. Worn out cloth items will be shredded and made into stuffing for furniture, car seats, etc.

Confidential Documents:  See Document Shredding under How to Recycle With Us Tab

DVD/CD/Cassette/VHS/Hard Drives - Recycle Livingston no longer can accept DVD/CD/VHS material for recycling. We have lost our vendor for this material. However we are still accepting Hard Drives for Recycling.

Electronics

  • Due to the high cost of recycling televisions and electronics, a recycling fee must now be collected for all electronic items we accept for recycling. Please view the Important Notice for more information on fees and what electronics are accepted for recycling. This list also includes televisions. Keep in mind that Recycle Livingston also contributes financially to the cost of recycling electronics and televisions along with fees collected.

Eye Glasses and Hearing Aids

  • Please give all prescription eye glasses and hearing aids to the greeter upon your arrival to our site. There will be no charge to drop off these items for recycling.

Food Waste Collection - beginning July 1st, 2024 (Fee $3 per 2 Gallon container) Available for purchase in the office for $10. Purchase is not necessary to use the program.

  • Fruits/Vegetables

  • Dairy Product

  • Coffee grounds/filters and tea bags

  • Breads/Grains

  • Eggshells

  • Meat/Bones/Food grease - this material will only be accepted in one of our compostable storage plastic bags for sale in the office, 3 bags for $1.00.

Glass ** New Items added to the list of accepted items for recycling

  • We accept clear, brown, green, and blue glass. All glass can be combined. Rinse thoroughly and remove any plastic or metal lids accordingly. We can recycle food container glass or beverage container glass such as wine, beer, pop, drinking glasses, glassware such as flower vases, candle glass with small amounts of wax, perfume bottles, cosmetic bottles/jars, glass shelves, table tops, shower doors without a frame or metal attached, window glass without a frame or metal attached.

  • We cannot accept mirrors, leaded glass, auto glass, ceramic dishes or Pyrex glass, Corelle dishware, light bulbs.

Latex Paint -

  • American Paint Recyclers out of Ohio picks up our latex paint for recycling. The cost is $3 per gallon and $1 per quart size or smaller. Recycle Livingston does accept 5 gallon containers for a $10 per container fee . Please do not dry out the paint or add kitty litter. All paint collected here on site is recycled and made into new paint.

  • Remember: Latex paint only

Please call 517.545.9609 for information on how to dispose of oil based products.

Metal

  • We accept tin cans, aluminum, and all metals combined. Rinse thoroughly and there is no need to remove the labels. Remember, any item containing 85% metal or more is recyclable, including appliances. All appliance containing Freon will have to pay a Freon removal fee. That fee is $10 for members, $15 for non-members of Recycle Livingston. Aluminum is non-magnetic and should be kept separated from magnetic metals.

Mixed Paper

  • We accept most categories of paper. This includes junk mail, white and colored paper, envelopes, construction paper, manila folders, and non-glossy box-board that is white inside. No need to remove staples, however large paper clips or other metal attachments should always be removed.

  • Magazines, hard and soft covered books are also accepted. However, magazines should be kept separated from books. Magazines include catalogs and other glossy type paper with a staple in t he middle. Please bring in these materials in separate containers. These materials must be kept separate from mixed paper.

  • Caution: Do not put spiral bindings, plastic dividers or covers (or plastic of any kind) in with the above mentioned materials.

  • We cannot accept gift wrap, tissue paper, paper plates, napkins, or paper towels.

Newspaper

  • We accept all newsprint like paper including phone books, newsprint packing paper, etc. Please keep newspaper material separate from the mixed paper. There is no need to remove inserts that come with newspapers.

Plastics #1, #2, and #5 will be accepted from Recycle Livingston Members Only at this time due to the high cost of recycling plastic and the need to keep it clean and sorted

  • #1 Plastic Containers such as water bottles, etc. - must be marked with the #1 recycling symbol and lids attached to the plastic container are acceptable. Please do not bring lids not attached to the plastic container.

  • #2 Plastic Containers such as milk jugs, detergent bottles, etc. - must be marked with the #2 recycling symbol and lids attached are acceptable. No lids without plastic container.

  • #5 Plastic Containers such as cat treats, yogurt, etc. - must be marked with the #5 recycling symbol and lids attached are acceptable. No lids without the plastic container.

  • All #1, #2, and #5 plastics must be clean and separated meaning #1 sorted, #2 sorted, and #5 sorted...not mixed together. If you cannot locate a number on the container, please toss it.

  • Absolutely no plastic bags no matter the recycling symbol will be accepted. Please bring your plastic in brown paper bags, cardboard boxes, or a container we can return to you

  • Any plastics brought into the site containing nonacceptable materials will immediately be returned to you such as straws, lids, any other plastics such as #3, #4, #6, & #7

Red Barrel Unused Medications and Sharps

  • First Saturday of every month, except on holiday weekends, then it will be the second Saturday of the month. The Red Barrel program collects unused medications and sharps (needles) for proper disposal. There is no fee to drop off these items. Please place all pills in a ziplock bag, no pill bottles. Liquids also belong in a ziplock bag with enough paper towel to absorb the liquids. Sharps should be placed in a large plastic bottle such as Tide with the top cut off and sealed with tape.

Shoes

  • We accept wearable shoes and boots.

  • We cannot accept high heeled shoes, flip flops, slippers or torn up shoes.

Styrofoam

  • We accept most polystyrene foam in the form of meat trays, cups, restaurant carry out containers, packing Styrofoam, etc. We request that all Styrofoam is rinsed clean of any food debris.

  • Caution: Styrofoam that we accept is rigid. Flexible and soft sheet and formed packing is similar but cannot be recycled.

  • We cannot accept packing peanuts nor can we accept Styrofoam Insulation.

Televisions

  • See Electronics and click on the important notice button for fees

Vinyl Siding is no longer being accepted

 Read the information below:

  • No Plastic grocery bags or plastic bags of any kind

  • No Plastic water softener bags and dog/cat food bags

  • Motor oil containers with the recycle symbol #1 or #2 can be accepted, but they must be empty of oil.

  • No Outdoor plastic lawn furniture and/or children’s toys are accepted