Nov. 15 marks National Recycling Day and National Recycling Month, and we wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all residents for their dedication to recycling over the past year. The state of Minnesota encourages residents in outstate counties to recycle a portion of their waste, aiming for a target recycling rate of at least 30% for counties in southwest Minnesota.

Lyon County has made commendable strides, achieving a recycling rate of 60+% in 2022. It is important to note that the 30% target is mandated by the state of Minnesota, while counties in the metropolitan area are subject to a significantly higher mandated recycling rate of 75%.

We urge residents to recognize the importance of recycling. The costs associated with recycling are partially covered by a special assessment on property taxes. Furthermore, once materials are designated for recycling, they must not be disposed of as waste, as this is Minnesota law. Recycling not only diverts waste from landfills but also promotes the reuse of materials, conserving water and minimizing the extraction of vital resources from the environment.

It is essential to understand that recycling is just one of several strategies for reducing waste. Utilizing drop-off sites and curbside containers can effectively decrease the disposal of paper (excluding shredded paper and books), cardboard, and clean, empty food containers into the landfill.

Recycling plastics presents unique challenges due to the diverse range of plastic products available. It is crucial to note that the triangle symbol with a number inside does not signify that an item is recyclable; rather, it merely identifies the type of plastic. When it comes to plastic recycling, only empty, clean food containers are recyclable, including items such as soda bottles, sports drink containers, plastic sauce jars, clamshell containers, and empty milk jugs. Certain exceptions apply, such as laundry detergent and shampoo containers, which are recyclable. Most plastic items are non-recyclable and should be disposed of in the trash.

The success of our recycling initiatives relies heavily on the active participation of residents and businesses. Please remember that alternative disposal options exist for items such as books, shredded paper, Christmas lights, car seats, rigid Styrofoam, electronics, mattresses and box springs, farm chemical containers, and needles. These items require additional effort on the part of residents to bring them to designated locations for proper disposal. These items are not collected from curbside recycling or from dropsite recycling containers.

It is imperative to emphasize that these items, along with regular trash, should NEVER be placed in recycling bins, as this will increase costs associated with our local recycling programs.

Recycling carts are the property of Lyon County and may include those branded with the Waste Management logo and may have an all yellow lid or a green lid with a yellow sticker, which were acquired over 25 years ago. Additionally, the system features carts with a brown lid and dark green body, as well as the newer Lyon County Recycling carts.

Lyon County engages a recycling hauler through a contractual agreement, with West Central Sanitation currently fulfilling this role. Residents experiencing issues with their carts, such as a broken lid or a detached wheel, or those whose recycling has not been collected, are encouraged to contact Lyon County for assistance.

Thank you for your continued commitment to responsible waste management and recycling in Lyon County.

Please look forward to receiving our 2025 curbside recycling calendar coming in December along with our flyer regarding Christmas holiday recycling. Wrapping paper, bows, ribbon and other items such as plastic wrap, bubble wrap and so forth are not recyclable!

For more information, please go to the county website, www.lyonco.org for more information including the curbside recycling calendar or call the Lyon County Environmental Department at (507) 532-8210 or the Lyon County Landfill at (507) 865-4615.