FAQs • Fayetteville, AR • CivicEngage

Are all plastics recyclable in our community?: No, at this time we can only accept bottles labeled with a #1 and #2 recycling triangle. To find out the number of a plastic bottle or container look near the bottom of the bottle or container to see its plastic resin code. #1 and #2 bottles and jugs make up approximately 96% of all bottles in the market place and are usually targeted in recycling programs. The reason all plastics can't be mixed together for recycling is because of the way plastics are made. There are two main processes for forming plastic containers - blow molding and injection molding. In a blow molding process, the plastic is blown into a particular shape, like a bottle, whereas in the injection mold the plastic resin is injected into a mold that forms a particular shape, like a butter tub. The resins from a soda bottle and salad container might be the same but the different processes used to create them use different chemicals that change the melt index of the container, which means they do not melt at the same temperature. Therefore we are only able to accept #1 and #2 plastic bottles at this time. Just remember to "check the neck" - the definition of a bottle is the neck is smaller than the base of the bottle.

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Recycling

1. Can I recycle magazines and telephone books in the curbside recycling program at my home?: Yes. The materials may be included in with your mixed paper. Mixed paper can include newspaper, copy paper, envelopes, other junk mail (please remove all plastic associated with junk mail), magazines and telephone books. If you have large amounts of paper, we ask that you bring the materials to either recycling drop off site located at 1420 South Happy Hollow Road and/or 735 West North Street.

2. Can I use plastic grocery / retail bags to bundle or sack newspaper, paperboard and junk mail?: No. Plastic grocery bags are not accepted in our recycling program. These bags are currently only recyclable at the stores where they originated. Please recycle your bags at these stores, which have recycling boxes at their entrances. To keep newspaper, paperboard and mixed paper separate, we suggest that you use two recycling bins, one for containers and one for paper, newspaper and paperboard. If you only want to use one bin, we ask that you stack your newspaper, junk mail and paperboard neatly in your bin to allow for quick sorting by our drivers. You may bag newspaper, mixed paper and paperboard in paper grocery bags if you have them available.

3. Can I recycle large amounts of cardboard and paper?: Yes, although the curbside collection program cannot collect piles of cardboard in excess of 3 feet by 3 feet or numerous bags of shredded paper. If you have large volumes of these please bring them down to either recycling drop off located at 1420 South Happy Hollow Road by the Recycling and Trash Collection office or at the Marion Orton Recycling Center located at 735 West North Street.

4. Are all plastics recyclable in our community?: No, at this time we can only accept bottles labeled with a #1 and #2 recycling triangle. To find out the number of a plastic bottle or container look near the bottom of the bottle or container to see its plastic resin code. #1 and #2 bottles and jugs make up approximately 96% of all bottles in the market place and are usually targeted in recycling programs. The reason all plastics can't be mixed together for recycling is because of the way plastics are made. There are two main processes for forming plastic containers - blow molding and injection molding. In a blow molding process, the plastic is blown into a particular shape, like a bottle, whereas in the injection mold the plastic resin is injected into a mold that forms a particular shape, like a butter tub. The resins from a soda bottle and salad container might be the same but the different processes used to create them use different chemicals that change the melt index of the container, which means they do not melt at the same temperature. Therefore we are only able to accept #1 and #2 plastic bottles at this time. Just remember to "check the neck" - the definition of a bottle is the neck is smaller than the base of the bottle.

5. Can I use another bin or do I have to use the City of Fayetteville recycling bins?: No. Because the recycling trucks that collect your curbside recycling are specially designed for the size of the city recycling bins, we ask that you please use our bins. These bins are made out of 50% post consumer recycled plastic! Additional bins can be purchased from the Recycling and Trash Collection Division for a small fee. Residents receive two bins for free when participating in the recycling program. Also, please remember to use the black lid that is supplied with the bin. The lids keep materials dry on rainy days and help contain litter by keeping items in the bin.

6. What if one recycling bin is not enough?: Residents receive two bins for free when participating in the recycling program. Using two bins is ideal: one for glass, plastic, and metal containers, and one for paper and paperboard. Additional bins are available by calling our Recycling and Trash Collection Office at 479-575-8398. Additional bins cost $13.63 plus tax, and can be picked up at the Recycling and Trash Collection Office located at 1560 South Happy Hollow Road.

7. I can't remember, what items are recycled in Fayetteville?: We recycle newspaper, mixed paper (junk mail, magazines, phone books, copy paper, etc.), paperboard (cereal boxes, etc.), cardboard, plastic bottles coded #1 and #2, aluminum cans, steel cans, and brown, green and clear glass containers. We do not accept all other plastics not coded as a #1 and #2 bottle or jug, windows, light bulbs, ceramics, Pyrex or similar items. Protect our recycling truck drivers - please make sure all materials are clean and free from trash contamination.

8. Can I recycle my Christmas tree?: Yes. The Recycling and Trash Collection Division recycles Christmas trees each year through the composting program. Collection crews will pick up your real Christmas tree if it is placed out properly for collection. Only real trees will be collected, no artificial trees are picked up in this program. Please remove all lights, stands, decorations, tinsel and other items placed on the tree. Place the tree at your curb on your normal trash day. Crews will pick up the trees starting after Christmas until the end of January. After that time residents can bring their trees to the compost facility during normal operating hours.

9. Where can I take household hazardous waste like jet cartridges and batteries, electronic waste, and tires?: Residents can take their hazardous waste such as cleaners, batteries, fluorescent lightbulbs (containing mercury), oil based paints (no latex paint accepted), sharps, automotive and cooking oil and aerosol cans to the Household Hazardous Waste trailer which is available every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the corner of S. Happy Hollow and 15th St. in Fayetteville. Note: we do NOT accept electronics or latex paints at the Fayetteville trailer.