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1. Why can’t I recycle plastic bags in my recycling cart?

Staff who sort recyclables at the Materials Recovery Facility in Fort Wayne could miss the plastic bags as they sort the non-recyclable items on the fast-moving conveyor belt line. When the plastic bags get caught in the equipment, staff must shut down the line to have somebody go in and cut them out. This is time-consuming, costly, and dangerous.

Look for a plastic bag container at the entrance of your local grocery storefront to recycle plastic bags. Find a drop-off location and review the guidelines in advance on the Plastic Film Recycling website.

Review City of Fort Wayne recycling guidelines on the One Cart Recycling Program website. For more information, contact the City of Fort Wayne's Solid Waste Department at 311 or email the Solid Waste Department.

Review Allen County Department of Environmental Management's Community Recycling Drop-off Site guidelines on our Community Recycling Drop-off Sites website.

2. What should I do with old latex paint?

Latex paint can be disposed of properly by taking the lid off the container and letting it air dry. Set the paint can beside your regular trash for pickup. Leave the lid off so your waste hauler can see the paint is dry.

Optional: Add cat litter or sawdust to the remaining paint to speed up the process. The paint will dry completely in a day or two using this method.

Latex paint is also accepted for recycling at Tox-Away events. Fees apply - learn more on the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal page.

3. What should I do with my Christmas Tree?

Find our seasonal listing of sites to drop-off trees after the holiday in the current events section on our homepage.

4. What can I do with used automotive fluids?

Take them to Hires Automotive for recycling, another auto service store, or our HHW collection.

Find a specific location.

5. What can I do with an old TV?

Recycle electronics through our program.

Learn more about electronics recycling.