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1. What should I do with yard waste like grass, leaves, and brush?

Take yard waste to a compost site in Allen County. You might also consider starting your own compost bin to dispose of yard waste and food scraps.

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1. How can I invite ACDEM to speak in an event my organization is having?

Contact us at 260-449-7878 or fill out our Speaker and Tabling Request Form.

2. When is Tire Amnesty Day?

Because so many private businesses have stepped up to offer tire recycling, we no longer need to offer this service. Please see our recyclers listing under "tires".

3. When is Tox Away Day?

Instead of once per year, we now offer Household Hazardous Waste Collection every Tuesday!

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1. Where is the local landfill?

The local landfill where trash is disposed of is owned by Republic Recycling and located at 6231 MacBeth Road, Fort Wayne. Learn how landfill gasses are used to make electricity at GM. View the GM Uses Landfill Gas to Make Electricity video.

2. What should I do with the household hazardous waste products in my house if I am moving?

Give away unwanted household hazardous waste products to those who may want to use them or take products to our Tox-Away Tuesdays program open to Allen County households every Tuesday, 9 am to 2 pm.

Please do not leave your toxic chemicals for the new homeowners!

3. 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.

4. Who should I contact for questions about my septic system or permitting for septic?

Call the Allen County Department of Health at 260-449-4181 or submit a question on their website. 

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1. Where do my recyclables get sorted?

Items that are accepted in curbside recycling bins and Community Recycling Drop-off Sites get sorted by staff and machines at Republic Recycling's Materials Recovery Facility in Fort Wayne. Watch how recyclables get sorted locally in the Fort Wayne Pickers video.

2. What can I do with an old TV?

Recycle electronics through our program. View the Electronics Recycling page to learn more.

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1. Where do my recyclables get sorted?

Items that are accepted in curbside recycling bins and Community Recycling Drop-off Sites get sorted by staff and machines at Republic Recycling's Materials Recovery Facility in Fort Wayne. Watch how recyclables get sorted locally in this Fort Wayne Pickers video.

2. What can I recycle in the City of Fort Wayne?

Review the dos and don'ts of curbside recycling in the City of Fort Wayne on the city's website.

3. May I recycle pizza boxes in my recycling cart?

Pizza boxes can be recycled in your curbside recycling cart or Community Recycling Drop-off Site as long as they are free of food and grease.

‼️ Tear off the top and recycle the clean material if the bottom of the box is greasy.

4. 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.

5. What should I do with the household hazardous waste products in my house if I am moving?

Give away unwanted household hazardous waste products to those who may want to use them or take products to our Tox-Away Tuesdays program open to Allen County households every Tuesday, 9 am to 2 pm.

Please do not leave your toxic chemicals for the new homeowners!

6. How do I find out who picks up my trash or recycling?

If you are in Fort Wayne, call the City at 260-427-8311 or 311. If you are in another town in Allen County, contact your local utilities department.

7. When is Tire Amnesty Day?

Because so many private businesses have stepped up to offer tire recycling, we no longer need to offer this service. Please see our recyclers listing under "tires".

Find a Location.

8. When is Tox Away Day?

Instead of once per year, we now offer Household Hazardous Waste Collection every Tuesday!

Learn More.

9. I live in an apartment or other area in Allen County without access to curbside recycling. Where can I recycle?

ACDEM offers several drop-off sites for residents to recycle.

Find a Location.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. What can I do with an old TV?

Recycle electronics through our program.

Learn more about electronics recycling.

13. Where can I recycle old appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners?

Refrigerators and air conditioners contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that must be reclaimed before disposal or recycling. Find a specialized recycler in Allen County near you.

14. Where can I report an issue with my curbside trash or recycling bin?

Call the City of Fort Wayne at 311 260-427-8311 or email the City of Fort Wayne. Call your local municipality if you live outside of the City of Fort Wayne.

15. What should I do if my trash or recycling didn’t get picked up?

Call the City of Fort Wayne at 311 260-427-8311 or email the City of Fort Wayne. Call your local municipality if you live outside of the City of Fort Wayne.

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1. What are some ways I can reduce my reliance on plastic?

Learn how to transition toward a plastic-free lifestyle here, view the Reduce page.

2. Where is the local landfill?

The local landfill where trash is disposed of is owned by Republic Recycling and located at 6231 MacBeth Road, Fort Wayne. Learn how landfill gasses are used to make electricity at GM in this GM Uses Landfill Gas to Make Electricity video.

3. 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 Soild Waste Department.

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

4. How can I reduce my environmental footprint at home or work?

ACDEM offers seminars, workshops, trainings, lectures, tabling at events, and more. Give us a call at 260-449-7878 to tailor something to your needs or find out where you can catch us in the community.

Show All Answers

1. Where is the local landfill?

The local landfill where trash is disposed of is owned by Republic Recycling and located at 6231 MacBeth Road, Fort Wayne. Learn how landfill gasses are used to make electricity at GM in this GM Uses Landfill Gas to Make Electricity video.

2. What can I recycle in the City of Fort Wayne?

Review the dos and don'ts of curbside recycling in the City of Fort Wayne on the city's website.

3. How do I find out who picks up my trash or recycling?

If you are in Fort Wayne, call the City at 260-427-8311 or 311. If you are in another town in Allen County, contact your local utilities department.

Show All Answers

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 Soild 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. Where can I donate items for re-use?

Several charity organizations benefiting people and animals will accept gently used items to further their missions. See our Reuse page.

3. Where can I get items repaired to give them a new life?

Tailors, cobblers, and electronics stores are able to fix many things to save them from the landfill. You can also borrow tools and get assistance fixing your own items in some locations.

See our listings.

4. Where can I donate items I no longer want?

Many clothing, shoes, and other household items can be donated to a variety of agencies. There is an alternative to throwing away almost everything. Post for free/sale online, give to a local charity, or call us to let us help you with the details. Call 260-449-7878.

Show All Answers

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.