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1. Is curbside recycling available to me?

Curbside recycling is available in several areas of Yakima County through private companies. Find out more about this service online. Curbside Recycling

2. Why can't we recycle glass in our curbside program?

Glass is not accepted in curbside or commercial co-mingled recycling. If glass were to break in the curbside container, during transit, or during the sorting process, the shards from glass mix in with the recyclable paper. These shards of glass cause problems for paper recyclers and can make the mixed paper or cardboard unrecyclable.Clear glass is not currently accepted at Yakima County Landfills for recycling.

3. Why can we not recycle glass in Yakima County?

It’s important to think of recycling as a business, because that helps you understand why certain materials are in higher demand. Glass has two things going against it in the recycling game: weight and flexibility. Glass bottles weigh more than plastic and metal, and heavier products cost more to ship. Plus, you can crush and bale a load of aluminum cans or plastic bottles, which reduces space needed in a truck that would otherwise be filled by air.

These 2 factors often make it more expensive to transport glass for recycling, resulting in a lower resale value. There is currently not a close enough market to Yakima to ship glass. Hauling long distances to recycle glass is not cost effective or environmentally responsible.

4. How do I recycle my CFL’s and fluorescent tubes?

CFL’s are considered hazardous waste (contain mercury) and need to be recycled appropriately. Please bring CFL’s and fluorescent lights to the Terrace Heights Landfill, Household Hazardous Waste Facility. There is no charge to recycle these bulbs. CFL recycling locations. CFL Recycling Locations

5. Where do I recycle an old TV?

Televisions contain hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in a landfill. Beginning January 1, 2009 recycling televisions will be free to Washington State residents. Find out more information about electronics recycling (PDF).

6. Where do I recycle an old computer?

Computers contain hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in a landfill. As of January 1, 2009, computer recycling is free to Washington State residents through a statewide program called E-Cycle Washington. Computer Recycling in Yakima County

7. Can I recycle shredded paper?

The rule of thumb for recycling is that items should be larger than the size of your palm. Smaller items can fall through sorting conveyor belts and are disposed as garbage. Shredded paper in cardboard boxes or paper bags can get loose in recycling trucks and at recycling centers and cause contamination.  Shredded paper is no longer accepted at Yakima County Landfills or in curbside recycling.  Shredded paper can be dropped off a Central Washington Recycling in Yakima.  

8. Do the labels need to come off when I recycle my bottles and steel/tin cans?

You do not need to remove the labels off plastic bottles or steel/tin cans. Simply rinse out the container and place in your recycling bin.

9. Do I need to remove the caps from my soda bottles and milk jugs?

Yes, you do need to remove the caps from soda and water bottles and milk jugs. The lids to plastic bottles are made of different grades of plastic than the bottle itself. Mixing lids in with plastic bottles will diminish the value of bottle-grade plastic collected in that fashion. Read more about recycling plastic caps online.

10. Does Yakima County sell compost?

Yakima County offers chipped yard waste material free to the public. The yard waste is technically not compost, it hasn’t been turned, watered and monitored for temperatures needed to kill weed seeds. The chipped yard waste would be great to take home and compost in your yard. More information can be found in the backyard composting brochure. The chipped yard waste is free to anyone who wants to pick it up at the Terrace Heights Landfill location. More information about recycling yard waste can be found in our brochure. Compost & Yard Waste Information

11. I was charged an Unsecured Load Fee at my last trip to the landfill, what is this?

In May of 2005, Yakima County passed an unsecured load ordinance (Yakima County Code Section 6.02.030) to help prevent roadside litter and to encourage the safe transport of material over our roadways. The Yakima County unsecured load fee can be $5.75 or $17 depending on the capacity of your vehicle. Washington State also has an unsecured load fine which is $228 and an additional fine for littering which can range from $50 to $5,000 depending on the size of the item. Find out more about loads and fees from the

Landfill Fees page.