Garbage Has Been Increasing in Recycling Loads!

Jul 15, 2022 | Community Recycling News

sticking to the YES List: Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

At Millennium, we’ve noticed more non-recyclable items showing up in loads from the Sioux Falls area. This aligns with what the City is seeing too: while overall waste continues to grow with our region’s population, recycling rates haven’t kept pace.

Between 2017 and 2021, landfill tonnage increased from 181,795 to 211,669 (up 15%), while the area’s recycling rate dipped slightly from 22.8% to 20.5%(down 2.3%). This small shift may not seem like much, but over time, it adds up—especially as Sioux Falls continues to grow.

Why It Matters

Recycling isn’t just about protecting the environment. It helps extend the life of our landfill, supports local businesses that rely on recycled materials, and supplies manufacturers across the U.S. with critical raw materials. According to ISRI, recycling provides, on average, 40% of the raw material supply for domestic manufacturing.

How We Can All Help

We know recycling can get confusing, especially with packaging constantly changing. But the most important thing we can all do is stick to the YES list—the materials we can actually recycle at Millennium. When garbage or incorrect items end up in recycling bins, it affects the quality of the recyclables and can send more material to the landfill.

Whether you’re a business, apartment complex, mobile park, or individual household, here’s how you can help:

  • Recycle only the items on the YES LIST
  • Avoid “wishcycling”—if you’re not sure, leave it out — check out the BINfluencer “What Goes Where” web tool and app for quick, local answers: thebinfluencers.org
  • Download or request a free guide or poster to keep near your bins (here)
  • Schedule a free Waste Assessment if your business or property needs help reducing contamination
  • Talk to your family, neighbors, or tenants about recycling right

What We’re Doing
Millennium is working closely with the City on upcoming studies and educational outreach. We’re also partnering with local nonprofit BINfluencer to support community education and engagement efforts. Together, we can help get recycling back on track.

If you have ideas to share or success stories to highlight, we’d love to hear from you! Share your ideas with us here.