Recycling programs work best when we focus on the items that are actually recyclable in our local system. While flashy packaging like berry containers, Pringles cans, and Solo cups may claim to be recyclable, many of them aren’t accepted due to how they’re made or the materials they contain.
In the Sioux Falls area, the following items are consistently accepted in your recycling bin:
- Aluminum and steel cans
- Cardboard and boxboard
- Office paper and newspaper
- Glass bottles and jars
- Plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs (with a neck or wide mouth)
These are the materials that our local Material Recovery Facility is designed to sort and process efficiently.
Why It Matters
Recycling isn’t just about doing the right thing—it plays a vital role in our economy. It supplies 40% of the raw materials used in U.S. manufacturing. Recycling aluminum alone saves up to 95% of the energy compared to using virgin materials. It also conserves natural resources, reduces landfill use, creates jobs, supports local businesses, and strengthens economic resilience.
What You Can Do
- Recycle right. Focus on the basics and double-check what’s accepted locally. Not sure? Use the free BINfluencer app or search the BINfluencer directory to look up items and find drop-off options nearby.
- Avoid wishcycling. Just because something has a recycling symbol doesn’t mean it’s recyclable in our area.
- Speak up. Let your representatives know recycling matters and support policies that hold manufacturers responsible for the materials they put on the market.
Back to basics doesn’t mean going backward—it means building a stronger, more effective system for everyone.
Have a Recycling Question? Contact Us!