Lenawee County Recycling

COVID-19 Update to County Services:

Operations run smoother if we all remember to

PLEASE be PATIENT and RESPECTFUL  We understand a lot of residents rely on the County recycling site. 

RECYCLE ONLY ACCEPTABLE ITEMS - Acceptable items are listed on each compactor (or find more information below)

DO NOT ADD TO THE JAM - if a compactor is full don’t continue to pack it   

DON’T JUST LEAVE YOUR STUFF - you may have to come back later if the compactors are full

COVID-19 - We recommend that you wear a face mask and protective gloves, and maintain social distancing while at the DOS 

CURRENT HOURS (7/18/20)

Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
CLOSED: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Day

Questions should be directed to the Lenawee County Solid Waste Dept. 517-264-4511

Recycling Compactors

Compactors should NOT be opened if the compactors are operating; break down all boxes and do NOT fill the chute to the door opening.  Add a few at a time so the compactor can compress the items; let compactor complete its process and repeat.

DO NOT open the door of the compactor while it is running, as this will jam the unit and put it out of service. DO NOT press any buttons on the control panel, as this prevents the compactor from operating and creates jamming issues for the next person.  Please DO NOT cram more materials into the compactor if it is jammed. Instead call 517-264-4511 to advise us on a jammed unit or other issue.

Please be considerate of the next person who may wish to use the facility
and keep the equipment operating.

Container One

Container One holds items such as:

  • Clean aluminum foil pans
  • Clear and colored glass
  • Plastics #1 - 7
  • Tin cans

Container Two

Container Two holds items such as:

  • Cardboard
  • Chipboard
  • Newspaper
  • Office paper
  1. Recyclables
  2. Plastics/Tin/Foil
  3. Glass
  4. Cardboard

Preparing Your Recyclables

In order to keep our containers operating smoothly, please review the following preparations.

Please remove recyclables from the container you transported them in before placing the materials in the recycling bins.

  • NO vinyl siding, garden hoses, kids’ toys, etc.
  • NO aerosol cans, paint solvent containers 
  • NO pizza boxes
  • NO plastic grocery bags or trash bags
  • NO broken glass, window glass, drinking glasses, or non-container glass

Prepare Cardboard for Recycling

  • Cardboard and chipboard should have paper, styrofoam, plastic, etc. removed and boxes broken down to save space
  • Larger boxes and/or a larger quantity of boxes should be taken to Goodwill Industries on Division Street (next to Lowes)
  • Absolutely NO PIZZA boxes or soiled cardboard

Prepare Paper for Recycling

  • Mixed papers should be clean, and dry - this includes office paper, junk mail, phone books, and magazines
  • Newspapers should be clean and dry. Do not bundle with string or rope. Instead, place them in PAPER grocery bags.

Prepare Glass for Recycling

  • Glass containers should be empty, clean and dry.   
  • Remove lids from containers
  • No broken glass, window glass, drinking gasses, or non-container glass

Prepare Plastics, Tin Cans, Aluminum Foils & for Recycling

  • Plastics #1 - 7 should be rinsed, dried, and crushed. Remove lids and rings on bottles.
  • Tin cans, aluminum foil, pie tins, or food trays should be clean and dry .