Recycling in Missouri
Where to recycle, donate or get rid of things in 25 cities and towns across Missouri. Pick your city, or search for your item. We also pick up anywhere in the state.
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Missouri rules
- Sections 260.1050 to 260.1101 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri are the Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (2008). Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.1050: Citation of act (Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Equipment Collection and Recovery Act) (opens in new tab)
- The Act expires only if DNR declares a national program preemptive; the Revisor notes that DNR has issued no such statement and no national program exists. Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.1092: Federal law may preempt, when (opens in new tab)
- Missouri has no household electronics landfill ban: DNR says most electronics from homes may legally go in household trash, but recommends reuse, donation or recycling. Source: Missouri DNR: Electronics (opens in new tab)
More Missouri rules (53)
- Businesses, charities, nonprofits, schools, churches and government agencies may not discard certain electronics in Missouri landfills. Source: Missouri DNR: Electronics (opens in new tab)
- DNR points residents to the recyclers on its Registered Electronics Recycling Businesses List. Source: Missouri DNR: Electronics (opens in new tab)
- DNR says residents can take part in electronics collection events held by their city, county or solid waste management district. Source: Missouri DNR: Electronics (opens in new tab)
- DNR suggests asking local electronics retailers whether they run a take-back or recycling program. Source: Missouri DNR: Electronics (opens in new tab)
- Each electronics collection site sets its own accepted items and fees. Source: Missouri DNR: Electronics (opens in new tab)
- DNR says recyclers often charge fees to cover the cost of handling hazardous components; check with each recycler. Source: Missouri DNR: Electronics (opens in new tab)
- DNR: televisions from homes may legally go in household trash; check with your hauler about special procedures or fees. Source: Missouri DNR: Managing Discarded Televisions (PUB2332) (opens in new tab)
- DNR suggests asking the TV maker or local TV retailers about take-back programs, or using a state-registered e-scrap recycler. Source: Missouri DNR: Managing Discarded Televisions (PUB2332) (opens in new tab)
- A discarded TV may not be burned or buried on site. Source: Missouri DNR: Managing Discarded Televisions (PUB2332) (opens in new tab)
- DNR notes that TV recyclers often charge fees to cover hazardous components. Source: Missouri DNR: Managing Discarded Televisions (PUB2332) (opens in new tab)
- The manufacturer take-back rule does not cover televisions, printers, telephones, PDAs, calculators or vehicle electronics. Source: Missouri DNR: How to Recycle under the Electronics Scrap Management Rule - FAQ (PUB2939) (opens in new tab)
- Scrap tires may not go in a Missouri landfill unless they have been cut, chipped or shredded. Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.270: Scrap tires, prohibited activities (opens in new tab)
- DNR: homeowners may put tires in household trash only if they are cut first (sidewalls cut out, or cut through the tread like a bagel). Source: Missouri DNR: Scrap Tires (opens in new tab)
- Tires cut in one of the two ways DNR describes are the only tires a permitted sanitary landfill may accept. Source: Missouri DNR: Scrap Tires (opens in new tab)
- A 50-cent fee is charged on each new tire sold at retail in Missouri. Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.273: Fee, sale of new tires, amount (opens in new tab)
- The new tire fee is set to end December 31, 2031. Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.273: Fee, sale of new tires, amount (opens in new tab)
- DNR: the 50-cent scrap tire fee applies to the retail sale of every new tire and funds tire cleanups, oversight and grants. Source: Missouri DNR: Scrap Tires (opens in new tab)
- Burning tires is illegal in Missouri except at DNR-approved facilities. Source: Missouri DNR: Scrap Tires (opens in new tab)
- For large numbers of tires, DNR says to use a permitted scrap tire hauler. Source: Missouri DNR: Scrap Tires (opens in new tab)
- Scrap tires may also go to a permitted scrap tire processor or to another state if handled under that state's rules. Source: Missouri DNR: Management of Scrap Tires (PUB2056) (opens in new tab)
- Counties and cities may have their own extra scrap tire requirements. Source: Missouri DNR: Management of Scrap Tires (PUB2056) (opens in new tab)
- Since January 1, 1991, major appliances, waste oil and lead-acid batteries may not be disposed of in a Missouri solid waste disposal area (landfill). Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.250: Major appliances, waste oil, yard waste and batteries, disposal restricted (opens in new tab)
- Statute: major appliances are washers and dryers, water heaters, trash compactors, dishwashers, ovens, ranges, stoves, woodstoves, air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers (microwaves are not listed). Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.200: Definitions (solid waste management) (opens in new tab)
- DNR: refrigerators and freezers are among the major appliances banned from Missouri landfills. Source: Missouri DNR: What to Do With Items Banned From Landfills (PUB0186) (opens in new tab)
- DNR: washers and dryers are among the major appliances banned from Missouri landfills. Source: Missouri DNR: What to Do With Items Banned From Landfills (PUB0186) (opens in new tab)
- Microwaves were removed from Missouri's major appliance list in 2002; DNR encourages recycling them but they may go to sanitary landfills. Source: Missouri DNR: What to Do With Items Banned From Landfills (PUB0186) (opens in new tab)
- DNR suggests asking the retailer, when buying an appliance, whether the store or distributor will take back the old one. Source: Missouri DNR: What to Do With Items Banned From Landfills (PUB0186) (opens in new tab)
- Working appliances can be sold or donated; otherwise DNR suggests scrap metal or recycling centers that take major appliances. Source: Missouri DNR: What to Do With Items Banned From Landfills (PUB0186) (opens in new tab)
- Some landfills keep storage areas for major appliances and charge a small fee to accept them. Source: Missouri DNR: What to Do With Items Banned From Landfills (PUB0186) (opens in new tab)
- DNR: contact your solid waste management district to find where to recycle white goods, used oil or lead-acid batteries. Source: Missouri DNR: What to Do With Items Banned From Landfills (PUB0186) (opens in new tab)
- Since January 1, 1991, no one may knowingly put a used lead-acid battery in a landfill or otherwise discard it. Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.260: Batteries, lead-acid, disposal of restricted - penalty (opens in new tab)
- Each improperly disposed lead-acid battery is a separate violation and a class C misdemeanor. Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.260: Batteries, lead-acid, disposal of restricted - penalty (opens in new tab)
- Lead-acid batteries must go to a permitted recycling or resource recovery facility, or to a battery wholesaler's or manufacturer's agent for a secondary lead smelter. Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.260: Batteries, lead-acid, disposal of restricted - penalty (opens in new tab)
- DNR: most standard household batteries may go in household trash, but DNR recommends a permanent household hazardous waste facility. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Tape the ends of used batteries to prevent short circuits and fires. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Large lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles and home energy storage must not go in trash or recycling bins; contact the maker, dealer or installer. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Missouri has banned the sale of button-cell mercuric-oxide batteries since January 1, 1996. Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri 260.267: Restriction on sales of certain batteries (mercury) (opens in new tab)
- DNR: do not put mercury thermostats or thermometers in household trash; contact your solid waste management district. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DNR refers residents to the Thermostat Recycling Corporation for thermostat disposal information. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DNR: do not put mercury-containing bulbs (CFLs, fluorescent tubes) in household trash; ask home improvement stores or use a permanent HHW facility. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- On-site fluorescent bulb crushing is not allowed in Missouri. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DNR keeps a list of permanent household hazardous waste collection facilities in Missouri. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DNR counts cleaning products, batteries, light bulbs, paint, pesticides and motor oil as household hazardous waste when unwanted. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DNR points residents to collection events run by their city, county or solid waste management district. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Missouri has 20 regional solid waste management districts that plan and help run local recycling and waste-reduction services. Source: Missouri DNR: Solid Waste Management Districts (opens in new tab)
- The districts help plan and carry out local recycling and other alternatives to disposal. Source: Missouri DNR: Solid Waste Management Districts (opens in new tab)
- DNR: water-based (latex) paint is non-hazardous once solidified; the preferred option is a collection center or retailer that takes paint. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- If no collection option exists, mix latex paint with newspaper, sand, kitty litter or hardener, let it dry, and put the closed can in household trash. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DNR: oil-based paint must go to a collection center or paint retailer. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DNR: Habitat for Humanity takes nearly full gallons of paint; the Salvation Army takes only unopened cans. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Never pour paint down storm drains or household drains. Source: Missouri DNR: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare's state list (California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington) does not include Missouri: there is no PaintCare program in Missouri. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
- The Mattress Recycling Council operates statewide only in California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island; Missouri has no state mattress recycling program. Source: Mattress Recycling Council (opens in new tab)