Sioux Falls Recycling: Declining, But Not a Lost Cause

Community Recycling News

Thank you to KELO and Sioux Falls Simplified bringing attention to the decline in recycling in Sioux Falls!

While it’s true that recycling rates have dropped, it’s important to remember that recycling still makes a difference—and it works when people do it!

Why Recycling Matters Locally

  1. Extends the Life of Our Landfill— More recycling means less landfill waste, saving taxpayer dollars by delaying costly expansions—which can run into the millions of dollars. When landfills fill up faster than expected, disposal costs increase for everyone.
  2. Supports the Economy— Recycling keeps valuable materials like aluminum, steel, and paper in use instead of relying on expensive imports. When we throw recyclables away, we waste resources that could be turned into new products—using more energy and increasing demand for raw materials.
  3. Protects Resources & Reduces Costs— If we don’t increase recycling now, we’ll face higher costs, lost resources, and a landfill that fills up years sooner than planned.

The Reality: More Waste, Less Recycling

You can recycle paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, metal cans, and plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs in your recycling bin. At Millennium, these materials DO get recycled and turned into new products. Yet over the past decade, we’ve seen total single stream recycling in the five-county area drop by 18%, while the population grew by 17%. That means that, per person, we’re recycling less than before.

Meanwhile, landfill waste has grown by 40%—more than twice as fast as population growth. As a result, the Sioux Falls landfill’s projected closure date has shrunk by 10 years, from 2082 to 2072. That’s a major loss of time, space, and resources.

A huge amount of recyclable material is still ending up in the landfill. If we want to extend the life of our landfill, keep costs down, and reuse valuable materials, we need to increase participation in recycling—especially in high-waste areas.

What’s Causing the Decline?

  • Lack of Participation— Apartments, businesses, and public venues generate a massive amount of waste, yet many don’t recycle at all. Sioux Falls requires recycling, but without consistent participation, thousands of tons of recyclables never make it into the system.
  • Lack of Enforcement & Accountability— Sioux Falls has a recycling ordinance, but who is responsible for making sure it happens? The city? The haulers? The businesses? The conversation has gone in circles for years with no clear solution—while recyclable materials continue to be buried in the landfill.
  • Public Misinformation & Doubt— Many people question whether recycling actually works or even matters. The reality? It does. Glass, metal, paper, cardboard, and high-quality plastics are in demand and get turned into new products. At Millennium, we focus on efficiency—we only accept materials that can be reused, and less than 5% of what comes through our doors is actual trash.

How We Can All Help

  • Recycle Right: Stick to accepted materials to keep contamination low and efficiency high. Check Millennium’s accepted list to ensure you’re recycling correctly.
  • Speak Up: If your apartment, workplace, or a local venue doesn’t recycle, ask why. Many businesses and property managers don’t realize what’s required or how to get started. Our team is here to help.
  • Think Before You Toss: Many items can be reused, donated, or recycled instead of going to the landfill. The BINfluencer waste directory helps people find better disposal options.
  • Be a Voice for Change: Let your local representatives know that recycling matters. Stronger policies, better education, and more resources can make a difference—but only if leaders know it’s a community priority.

    The Solution? More Participation & Accountability

    Sioux Falls has the infrastructure to recycle—but participation needs to improve. When more residents and businesses recycle correctly, we reduce landfill waste, extend its lifespan, and keep disposal costs lower for everyone.

    Community officials also play a key role. Some communities we serve actively educate and enforce recycling efforts, while others take a hands-off approach. The difference? Stronger education and enforcement lead to better participation and less waste. Sioux Falls has an opportunity to set the standard and ensure more recyclables end up where they belong.

    At Millennium, we’re committed to expanding recycling education through BINfluencer by:

    The more people understand how recycling works, the better we can all do. Recycling is NOT a lost cause—it’s a solution we all need to be part of.