Earth Month in Sioux Falls: Small Actions, Real Impact

Apr 3, 2026 | Community Recycling News

Earth Month is a good reminder of something we don’t always think about day to day:

What we throw away—and where it ends up—matters.

A new report from the World Bank estimates that global waste could increase by 50% by 2050 if we continue on our current path.

That’s a BIG number—but the solution starts locally.

It Starts Right Here in Sioux Falls

Every box, bottle, and bag thrown away in Sioux Falls goes somewhere.

  • Trash goes to the landfill
  • Curbside recycling is processed locally at Millennium
  • And everything depends on how materials are sorted before they ever leave your home or business

We already have the system in place. The biggest opportunity is using it the right way.

The Missed Opportunity We See Every Day

The report highlights that about 30% of waste globally is not properly managed.

Here in the Sioux Falls area, the challenge looks a little different:

  • Recyclables ending up in the trash
  • Contamination turning good material into waste
  • Items being thrown away simply because people aren’t sure what to do with them

That’s not just waste—it’s lost value.

Why It Matters Locally

When recyclable materials are thrown away:

  • Landfill space fills up faster
  • Costs increase over time
  • Valuable materials are lost instead of reused

At the same time, recycling supports something bigger: Over 90% of what’s processed at Millennium stays in the Midwest to make new products.

That means the choices made here in Sioux Falls directly support regional jobs and manufacturing.

The Materials That Make the Biggest Difference

Globally, the largest portions of waste include food, paper, cardboard, and plastics. Locally, we see the same thing: Cardboard boxes, paper and mail, bottles, containers and cans.

These are some of the easiest materials to recycle—and some of the most commonly missed.

Not Sure Where It Goes? Start Here.

Recycling isn’t always as simple as the bin—and that’s okay.

The easiest way to get it right is to look it up before you toss it.

With the BINfluencer app (or search tool), you can:

  • Search any item and see if it belongs in your recycling bin
  • Find out what needs to stay out of single-stream
  • Get directions to local drop-off sites for harder-to-recycle items

Because not everything belongs in the bin—but that doesn’t mean it belongs in the landfill either.

There are organizations across Sioux Falls that:

  • Accept materials like plastic bags, electronics, batteries, and more
  • Reuse or repurpose items through donation
  • Help keep valuable materials in use and out of the landfill

The key is knowing where to take them.

Simple Actions That Add Up

You don’t have to do everything to make a difference. Just start with the basics:

  1. Recycle cardboard, paper, cans, and bottles, tubs & jugs
  2. Keep materials loose (not bagged)
  3. Keep trash out of recycling bins
  4. Take a few seconds to look up items you’re unsure about

Earth Month Is a Starting Point—Not the Finish Line

Earth Month is a great time to reset habits, but what really matters is what happens after.

Sioux Falls already has, the infrastructure, the access, and the local partners. Now it comes down to participation.

Search it. Sort it right. Keep it local.

5 Recycling Rules to Live By

Jan 10, 2026 | Recycling Explained

When it comes to recycling, there are a few universal rules we should all live by, no matter where you live.

 

1. Always check your local requirements

The most important rule in recycling is knowing what you can recycle. This means checking with your city or local recycler on what they accept. Why? Not all recycling facilities are created equal and there is no uniform process across every facility. The collection method, sorting process, and downstream processor relationships of your local recycler all determine what they can accept.

For example, in Sioux Falls we have single stream recycling. This means that all household recyclables are collected in one, single bin. When they get to the recycling facility, they are sorted with our automated equipment that separates out specific categories we have set the equipment up for.

After all of the materials are sorted, they are sent to our regional processing partners who all have unique requirements what they can accept based on their own cleaning, melting, and/or shredding processes.

2. Avoid Non-Recyclable Items.

Once you know what you CAN recycle, avoid buying things you can’t. For example, choose a plastic bottle of juice (YES!) instead of an individual juice pouch (No); Choose a disposable paper coffee cup (YES!) instead of a styrofoam cup (No); Choose paper wrapping paper for gifts (YES!) instead of foil or laminated giftwrap (No); Choose paper bags at the grocery store (YES!) instead of plastic (No, not in the single stream); Choose an item packaged in a cardboard box (YES!) instead of the same item packaged in a plastic bag (No); Skip the straw at restaurants and drink straight from the cup!

3. Reuse as Much as Possible.

Avoid wasting more by reusing as much as you can! You can bring your own bag to the grocery store, bring reusable containers or bags for fruits, veggies and bulk foods, reuse disposable plastic silverware, or bring your own reusable straw to restaurants and convenience stores. Just because something can’t be recycled in your area doesn’t mean you can’t find another use for it. Flex your creativity and think about how you can repurpose something – dive into Pinterest for ideas!

4. Recycle Clean Items.

Before tossing your recyclables in the bin, try to remove any food or liquids. Leftover milk in a jug, oil in a bottle, or cottage cheese in a tub can contaminate all other clean materials, especially paper and cardboard. Small amounts of food or liquid won’t interfere with most recycling processes, but if everyone leaves a little it can quickly turn into a lot when we’re recycling in bulk!

Help the process out by giving your containers a quick scrape. If in doubt, give it a rinse, let it dry and toss it in. If it’s too contaminated and you can’t get it empty or clear, don’t recycle it.

A great example is a pizza box… if it’s full of food and grease, rip that part off and recycle just the clean cardboard.

5. Find Alternative Recycling Options.

If something can’t go in your recycling bin, it doesn’t mean it can’t be recycled. Many different companies and services make up the landfill diversion effort, your recycling bin is just one of them.

Ask your city where to take items that can’t go in the bin to avoid sending them to the landfill. In Sioux Falls, you can use the free BINfluencer app to search for all types of items. If they’re not recyclable, it will direct you to the local waste directory full of options to bring non-recyclable waste.

For example, you can bring electronics and chemicals to the Household Hazardous Waste facility, pharmacies offer sharps disposal programs, the police department offers prescription disposal, specialty recyclers offer wood and scrap metal recycling, and the landfill offers various recycling programs including mattresses, yard waste, tires, etc.

If you’re willing to put in a little effort to recycle non single stream items, you can usually find an alternative option from your trash bin.

How does Millennium choose what to accept?

Jan 7, 2026 | Recycling Explained

Millennium started single stream recycling in 2007, allowing all materials to be placed into one, single, mixed bin. Prior to single stream, items had to be sorted into different categories before they were collected. Over the years, we have added various types of items to the accepted list, like cartons and paper cups, but how do we choose what we can (and cannot) accept in the bin?

  1. Market Demand: The need of material from processors like paper mills or plastic recyclers ultimately dictates what we can accept. If there is not enough demand for a certain material (plastic bags), if we cannot collect enough of it (odd types of items), or if it’s not able to be handled by our end-processors (to-go plastics), we cannot accept it as we would have nowhere to send it for recycling.
  2. Location and Logistics: We must be able to collect enough of the material, in consistent quantities, with a reliable processor in place located within a reasonable distance from our facility to make the collection, sorting and transportation of an item make sense — over 90% of the material we sort ends up being used right here in the Midwest.
  3. Customer Demand: The demand from communities we serve and their desire to educate, collect, and pay for the service plays a large role in what we can accept. Some communities choose to not collect certain items that we accept due to a low material value or service cost (glass, for example).
  4. Ability to Sort: Our single stream equipment sorts out all of the materials we accept in the bin. We do not include anything that can jam or damage our equipment, or anything that processors will not accept or consider contamination.

Any other questions? Please ask! We are here to help with any and all recycling questions you have! Want to see it for yourself? Join us for a tour!

A Second Chance, Earned: Lori’s Story

Dec 22, 2025 | Community Recycling News

Video released by St. Francis House highlighting Lori’s story and featuring Millennium President Shannon Dwire

Some people are known for their past. Others are known for how they show up.

Lori showed up — and we’re incredibly proud of her.

At Millennium, we believe in giving everyone an equal opportunity, regardless of background. Over time, that approach has made us a trusted second-chance employer in the Sioux Falls community — not because we have lower expectations, but because we believe people are more than their past.

If you worked with Lori, you know her smile. It’s genuine and full of determination — the kind that comes from someone who has done the hard work and is proud of where she’s headed.

As recently shared by KELO, Lori spent time at St. Francis House, committing to sobriety, accountability, and rebuilding her life. That commitment showed up clearly when she joined our team.

At work, Lori earned trust by showing up, taking pride in her work, and bringing kindness and positivity with her every day. She’s also rebuilt her relationship with her daughter, and today they’re both sober and moving forward together into a new chapter.

We’re proud of Lori. Proud of the work she did here, and proud to be a workplace where people are judged by how they show up — not where they’ve been.

We’re also grateful for partners like St. Francis House, whose work supports real change in our community. A recent video released by

Watch the St. Francis House above featuring our President, Shannon Dwire, highlighting the importance of opportunity and support:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1353542053131438/

Read the full KELO story: “She didn’t know where I was”: Mom and daughter reunite at St. Francis House (April 28, 2025)

Looking for a second chance?

If you’re ready to show up and do the work, check out our current opportunities:
millenniumrecycling.com/careers

Celebrating Our Team: Laser Tag, Laughter, and Well-Deserved Appreciation

Dec 17, 2025 | Community Recycling News

Last week, the Millennium Recycling team took a break from the day-to-day grind to celebrate the season — and more importantly, the people who make our work possible.

We gathered during the workday for a Christmas party filled with laser tag, prizes, food, and plenty of laughs. For a few hours, hard hats were swapped for laser guns, and the focus shifted from processing materials to simply having fun together.

A Team That Works Hard — Every Single Day

The work done at Millennium isn’t easy. Our team shows up early, works in demanding conditions, and plays a critical role in keeping recycling moving for our region. It takes focus, physical effort, and teamwork — and much of that work happens behind the scenes.

For many on our team, opportunities like this haven’t always been easy to come by — and recognition even less so. That makes it especially important to pause and say thank you.

Everyone deserves to be celebrated for showing up, working hard, and being part of a team. This time together was about appreciation, respect, and recognizing the effort our crew puts in every single day.

Thank You for Everything You Do

To our entire team: thank you for your dedication, your grit, and the energy you bring to Millennium. We are grateful for the work you do and proud of the culture we’re building together.

Here’s to a strong finish to the year — and to the people who make Millennium what it is.