Recycling & Materials Management

Office of Recycling & Green Community Programs

The Office of Recycling and Green Community is charged with managing waste reduction, recycling, and hazardous waste disposal in Monroe County. The recycling and green community coordinator is responsible for communicating with local municipalities in orchestrating recycling events and hazardous waste disposal days. 

Reduce > Reuse > Recycle

Did you know that the order of the three R’s is not random? Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle are listed according to their environmental impact. The most important way to save our planet is to reduce our consumption of resources. This means buying less stuff and using less energy. Reusing things that we already have is another way to cut down on waste. For example, a reusable water bottle can save hundreds of plastic bottles from going to the landfill. Recycling is the last resort, because it still requires a lot of energy and resources to turn waste into new products. Every time we buy something new, we are taking a toll on the environment. Everything comes from somewhere, and there is no “away” when we throw something out. Let’s be mindful of our choices and reduce our impact on the planet by following the 3 R’s, starting with Reduce.

To learn more about recycling and its economic and environmental challenges, please check out the Frontline investigative special on recycling. Or, here's a short video on why plastic recycling is mostly a myth. Finally, Listen to Sir David Attenborough share how we can solve plastic pollution, hint: we need to start at the source.

The Division of Environmental Health is calling on you to help make recycling efforts in Monroe County the best and most affordable to all. To that extent, we ask that you sort your recyclables accurately to ensure the materials will be recycled. Many dutifully store up their recyclables in anticipation of a successful contribution to a greener environment are denied that hope because of those who use the bins as rubbish collection sites. We must provide a clean source of materials or the collections may prove fruitless.

Please feel free to contact The Office of  Recycling and Green Community Program for any questions regarding your concerns with household hazardous waste and recycling.

Announcements:

The 2023 Recycling Events Calendar is here! (Click to view/download)

2023 Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Document Shredding Events are set:

Monroe Charter Township Hall - 4925 E Dunbar Rd, Monroe
Tuesday, May 9th, 3 - 7 pm HHW only 
Saturday, August 12th, 8 am - 12 pm HHW and Shredding  

Bedford - Indian Creek Park - 8486 Douglas Road, Temperance
Wednesday, June 14th, 3 - 7 pm HHW and Shredding 
Saturday, September 16th, 8 am - 12 pm HHW only