RecycleNOW - Free Drop-off Recycling

The RecycleNOW program accepts the following empty, clean, and dry materials: 

  • Acceptable Materials Include:

    • Flattened Cardboard
    • Paper
    • Metal Cans
    • Plastic Bottles & Jugs (#1 & #2)
    • Cartons
    • Glass BottlesAccepted Items for Recycling

RecycleNOW is a single-stream program which means all acceptable items go in the bin loosely, not bagged or stuffed into other items and they'll be sorted at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

Plastic Bags in RecyclingWant to learn all about recycling right? Click the following link: Recycling Simplified

No plastic bags should ever go in the bins. Plastic bags are the number one contaminant in single-stream recycling and are known as "tanglers." They bring the recycling process to a halt and ensure your items will go to a landfill. Want to take a peek inside a recycling sorting facility? Click on the "Tangled Up!" one-and-a-half-minute video below that shows what happens when plastic bags end up in recycling.

For more info on the economic and environmental merits and challenges of recycling, please check out this Frontline investigative special. Or learn why Recycling plastic is practically impossible — and the problem is getting worse.  Or how the plastic industry spent millions selling recycling — to sell more plastic.


However, you can recycle your plastic bags along with bubble wrap and other stretchy plastic at local retail stores such as:

  • Kohl's
  • Kroger
  • Lowe's
  • Meijer
  • Target
  • Walmart
  • And more! 

Find examples of plastic bags, wraps and other plastic films that can be recycled in those storefront bins.

What Happens to Your Recyclables

Curious about what happens to all those recyclables you put in the bin? They're taken to a Materials Recovery Facility or MRF. You can find out more by watching the following Recycling Center Video Tour.

Recycling Locations & Hours

Bins are available from 7 am to 6 pm.

  • Every Tuesday: Bedford Township Hall, 8100 Jackman Road, Temperance
  • Every Wednesday: Monroe Charter Township Hall, 4925 E Dunbar Road, Monroe
  • First and Third Monday of the month: Dundee Kroger, 571 E Monroe Street, Dundee
  • Second Tuesday of the month: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2238 Manhattan Street, Erie
  • Every Tuesday and Thursday: Stevens Disposal, 16929 Ida West Road, Petersburg

Note: If RecycleNOW day falls on a Holiday, this will usually cause a one-day delay during that week

Paper Retriever Bin DumpsterOnly Have Paper to Recycle?

Monroe has over 50 paper recycling locations at our schools, churches, and municipal buildings! Paper placed in the Paper Retriever bin is directly recycled back into newsprint within a few weeks. NOTE: NO Cardboard is accepted. 

Below are the accepted materials:

  • Books (hard and soft cover)
  • Catalogs
  • Magazines
  • Mail
  • Newspapers
  • Office paper
  • School paper

Find a paper retriever bin near you!