Household Recycling FAQ
CAN I RECYCLE GLASS?
Yes! Glass is accepted for recycling in the blue “Glass Only” bin at the Blount County Convenience Center. Please do not put glass in your curbside bin or in single stream bins at the recycling centers.
CAN I RECYCLE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS?
Yes, but plastic grocery bags cannot be placed in your curbside bin or brought to the recycling drop-off centers. Grocery bags need to be dropped off at a grocery store or taken to the UT Office of Sustainability Public Drop-off with your other plastic film recycling. Never put plastic grocery bags or plastic film in the recycling bin.
CAN I RECYCLE SHREDDED PAPER?
Yes! However, shredded paper must be enclosed in a paper bag to be recycled. If it is not enclosed (you can staple the bag shut to prevent it from opening) it will not be recycled since it is too small to be captured in the system. Paper bags are recycled in the same way as shredded paper, making them a great container. Shredded paper should not be enclosed in plastic bags or cardboard boxes.
CAN I RECYCLE PIZZA BOXES?
Yes, pizza boxes with grease can be recycled, just make sure there is no food residue. At the very least, you can rip off the top of the box and recycle that part.
CAN I RECYCLE ALUMINUM FOIL AND PANS?
No, aluminum cans are the only form of aluminum accepted for recycling.
Can I recycle waxed cartons?
Yes! Waxed cartons such as juice cartons, ice cream cartons, and coffee cups are now accepted for recycling. You can also put paper plates in the recycling bin as long as they are scraped clean of food.
DO I NEED TO REMOVE BOTTLE CAPS AND LABELS?
No, plastic bottle caps and sticker labels do not need to be removed from bottles in order to recycle. Other labels (such as plastic labels from Gatorade, coffee creamer, etc) do not need to be removed either. However, make sure to remove spray nozzles from bottles and only recycle the bottle.
CAN I RECYCLE AEROSOL CANS?
No, aerosol cans are not accepted for recycling as they can explode on the line and pose a threat to workers.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORRUGATED AND NON-CORRUGATED CARDBOARD?
Corrugated cardboard is made up of three layers: two outer layers and a thick inner layer. This typically includes moving and shipping boxes. Non-corrugated cardboard, or paperboard, is only one layer. Examples include cereal and other food boxes.
WHAT DOES SINGLE-STREAM RECYCLING MEAN?
Single-stream recycling means all recyclables are mixed together in the bin and separated later at a recycling facility. Residents do not need to separate their paper, metal, and plastic.
WHY Does BLOUNT COUNTY Not accept certain Items for recycling?
Every recycling facility has different technologies to recycle different items, as well as buyers to sell the items to. In Blount County, our recycling facility (WestRock, Knoxville) only has the capability and capacity to accept plastics #1 & #2, metal cans, mixed paper, and cardboard.
WHERE DOES MY RECYCLING GO AFTER I PUT IT IN THE BIN?
The City of Alcoa, City of Maryville, and Blount County contract with Waste Connections to take our recycling to WestRock in Knoxville where it is sorted, cleaned, and processed. The baled recyclables are then sold to the following regional companies (as of May 26th, 2023).
STEEL: TMS International, Philips Metals
ALUMINUM: Service Aluminum
FIBERS (paper and cardboard): WestRock, various mills in the Southeast
#1 PLASTICS: Mohawk Flooring, Clear Path Recycling, Indorama, Marglen
#2 PLASTICS: KW Plastics & ADV. Draina
WHAT IS RECYCLING CONTAMINATION?
Recycling becomes contaminated when items that are not accepted are put in the recycling bin. This slows down facility efficiency, damages machinery, and often makes what could have been recycled worthless. It is very important to leave items that cannot be recycled out of the recycling bin.