Recycling Guidelines

The drop-off sites are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience.  Please note that the site is under continuous video surveillance to ensure safety and proper use.

Let’s keep our drop-sites clean and free of contamination!  Unauthorized dumping is illegal and subject to prosecution and/or fines.  Violators are subject to state litter laws (MCL 324.8905a) with up to a $2,500 fine for the first offense.  The following materials are not permitted in or near the drop-off bins:

• Styrofoam
• Solo Cups
• Plastic Bags
• Windows
• Ceramics
• Mirrors
• Light Bulbs
• Food Scraps
• Yard Waste
• Scrap Metal
• Motor Oil Bottles
• Pesticide Bottles
• Paint Cans
• Aerosol Paint Cans
• Batteries
• Needles
• Electronics
• Textiles or Shoes
• Medical Waste
• Hazardous Waste
• Garbage

Your recyclables go to a material recovery facility (MRF) in Alpena, managed by the Northeast Michigan Materials Management Authority (NMMMA). After the recyclables are sorted and baled, they are sold to manufacturers who use them to make new products and packaging. Cardboard is sent to UP Paper in Manistique, MI where it is made into new shopping bags, grocery sacks, and fast-food bags. It’s also sent to the Packaging Corporation of America in Filer City, MI where it is turned into custom packaging for businesses. Paper is sent to NuWool in Jenison, MI where it is turned into insulation and Georgia Pacific in Green Bay, WI where it’s turned into toilet paper. Plastics are sent to Midwest Fiber in Normal, IL where it is transformed into carpet, new bottles, field tiles, landscaping materials, and flowerpots. Glass is processed by Amrize in Alpena, MI where it’s broken down into silica. Finally, metals are sent to Shupan in Grand Rapids, MI where they’re turned into sheet metal or sent to A&L in Gaylord, MI where they are also turned into sheet metal.

Plastic bags are not recyclable at our local recycling facility.  Plus, bagging your recyclables makes it difficult to separate your materials properly, and plastic bags often clog up recycling equipment.  We recommend bringing your recyclables in a trusty tote, bin, or box that you can easily empty out the recyclables.

Boxes take up a lot of space!  Flattening your cardboard allows the bins to store more of you and your neighbor’s cardboard without needing to be emptied as frequently.  Plus, it makes it easier for you to transport.

The recycling system works best when containers are empty.  A simple rinse to remove residuals will ensure containers are processed for higher quality and value.

The plastic numbers stand for a plastic’s specific resin code, meaning what type of plastic it is.  One of the most common recyclable plastics are #1 plastics.  These often make up beverage bottles and clamshell food containers.  Iosco County does not provide specific resin codes that we accept because we are limited to recycling container plastics.  Plastic resins of all numbers are used to make many items, like toys and utensils, none of which are acceptable for recycling here.  However, if it’s a plastic food or beverage container, the numbers #1, #2, and #5 are considered readily recyclable, if they’re a food or beverage container.

You don’t need to remove labels or caps from your recyclables.  Just make sure the contents are emptied out!

The bins are designed primarily for residential use. Plans are underway to address recyclables from businesses.

Reach out to Ian Matheson, the Recycling Coordinator.  Ian can be reached at imatheson@ioscocounty.org or by calling (989) 984-1023.