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.
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 Information 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.
Glass ** New Items added to the list of accepted items for recycling
We accept clear, brown, green, and blue glass. Please separate the clear glass from the colored glass. All colored glass can be kept together. 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. However any appliance containing Freon will have to pay a Freon removal fee. That fee is $10 for members, $15 for non-members of Recycle Livingston.
Mixed Paper
We accept most categories of paper and it can be all be combined in the same container. This includes magazines, junk mail, white and colored paper, hard and soft cover books, 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.
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 and #2 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 the plastic container.
All #1 and #2 plastic must be clean and separated meaning #1 sorted and #2 sorted...not mixed together.
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 non acceptable materials will immediately be returned to you such as straws, lids, any other plastics such as #3 thru #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.
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