Lake County Recycling

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce

We can all do our part to reduce the amount of waste that we produce. Here are some ideas to get you started.

  • Bring reusable bags and containers when shopping, traveling, or packing lunches or leftovers.
  • Choose products that are returnable, reusable, or refillable over single-use items
  • Avoid individually wrapped items, snack packs, and single-serve containers. Buy large containers of items or from bulk bins whenever practical. (Be aware of double-packaging, some "bulk packages" are just individually wrapped items packaged yet again and sold as a bulk item)
  • Drink tap water instead of bottled, or refill your bottles.
  • Purchase items such as dish soap and laundry detergents in concentrate forms.
  • Compost food scraps and yard waste. Many types of food scraps, along with leaves and yard trimmings, can be combined in your backyard compost bin. See the Resource tab for more information on composting.
  • Reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive. The average resident in America receives over 30 pounds of junk mail per year. Get bills sent electronically and pay online
  • Shop at second-hand stores. You can find great used and unused clothes at low cost to you and the environment. Buy quality clothing that won't wear out and can be handed down, whether to other people you know or on to a thrift store.
  • Buy items made of recycled content, and use and reuse them as much as you can. For instance, use both sides of every page of a notebook before moving on to the next clean notebook. Use unneeded, printed on printer paper for a scratchpad.
  • Also, remember that buying in bulk rather than individual packages will save you lots of money and reduce waste! Packaging makes up 30% of the weight and 50% of trash by volume. Buy juice, snacks, and other lunch items in bulk and use those reusable containers each day.

Reuse

Reuse as much as possible before you recycle or throw away.

Examples:

  • Use items more than once
  • Find new uses for items you no longer want
  • Use a travel coffee mug instead of paper or styrofoam
  • Print on both sides of the paper or use it for scratch paper
  • Donate used clothing and other household items

Where to Reuse

Recycle

Resources

Recycling Locations

All recycling accepted at:

Lake County Transfer Station and Recycling CenterLake County Transfer Station

All Household Recycling (Except “Other Plastic Containers”) at the Following Drop off Sites:

Separating Plastics

Dumpster


Examples of What Can Be Recycled at the Transfer Station

Cardboard, Paperboard & Brown Paper Bags

Cardboard, Paperboard and Brown Paper Bags

Magazines, Catalogs & Phone Books

Magazines, Catalogs and Phone Books

Clear Milk Jugs

Milk Jugs

Newspaper

Newspaper

Aluminum Cans

Aluminum Cans

Steel (Tin) Cans

Steel or Tin Cans

Number 1 & Number 2 Plastics

Number 1 and Number 2 Plastics

Other Items That Can Be Recycled at the Transfer Station

  • Household Quantities of Used Motor Oil
  • Household Quantities of Anti-freeze
  • Lead (Vehicle) Batteries
  • Tires (2 or Less)
    • Larger quantities go to the Tire Depot at 55528 U.S. Highway 93 in Polson
  • Large Appliances (Which may have or had Freon)

Scrap Metal

There are three categories of metals:

  • Ferrous metals contain iron and are magnetic. These are low-cost metals and are recycled in huge amounts. Steel and cast iron are ferrous metals. Ferrous metals can be found in industrial applications such as grinders, nuts and bolts, cutting tools, pipes, gears, automobiles, garden tools, and machinery.
  • Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron, are non-magnetic, and have a higher value. These metals include aluminum, copper, stainless steel, brass, lead, and zinc. These metals are typically found in aircraft parts, window frames, vehicle parts, electrical wire, cables, water pipes, and casings.
  • Precious metals have the highest value. These metals include gold, silver, platinum, titanium, and nickel alloys.

Scrap metals include:

  •  Wire, fencing, cables: rolled, controlled with posts removed
  • Tanks and barrels: empty, no residue, cut for inspection 
  • Large appliances, except those with Freon

Grass, Leaves & Other Yard Waste

Lake County Landfill accepts grass, leaves, and yard waste. Empty all bags. Do not include garbage bags with grass and leaves.


E-Waste

With more than 100 million Americans recycling, there are still many people out there who are not aware of why it is so important that you recycle your old electronics.

Most importantly, electronics can pollute our air and water when they are disposed of with regular waste. This is something that we as an industry have just recently become aware of, as e-waste is something that barely existed 20 years ago. Because technology is advancing at such a quick pace, it is now one of the fastest-growing sources of pollution.

When you choose a certified electronics recycler, you are ensuring that any data stored on your devices is completely removed. When you just toss an old computer in the trash, you risk having the right hacker find his or her way to your sensitive information.

With so many reasons why you should recycle, it is hard to believe that some people could still put their old laptops in the trash. Share this article with your friends and coworkers to make sure that everyone you know takes part in responsible recycling.

Lake County Solid Waste is not a Certified Electronic Recycler, we contract with one for our Spring E-Waste events to benefit Lake County residents and community.

If you want to sponsor or volunteer, contact Lake County Solid Waste Office.

E-Waste Recycle List