Recycling Centers in Middlesboro, KY
Find drop-off recycling locations in Middlesboro, Kentucky. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
Middlesboro has 2 recycling centers listed in this directory. Each listing includes the address, phone number, and opening hours where available. Call ahead to confirm accepted materials before making the trip.
Recycling in Middlesboro: A Local Guide
Middlesboro, in Bell County at the southeastern tip of Kentucky near the Cumberland Gap, is served by two county-operated recycling listings at the same address — Bell County Solid Waste and the Bell County Recycling Center, both at 900 N 15th St. In practice, Bell County Solid Waste (606-337-7035) is the county coordinator's administrative line, while the Bell County Recycling Center (606-248-7861) is the direct number for the physical drop-off facility on 15th Street. Bell County has provided recycling services since 1971, giving Middlesboro one of the longer-running rural recycling programs in Kentucky.
The Bell County Recycling Center accepts free public drop-off of cardboard (broken down), newsprint, magazines, white paper, shredded paper (bagged separately), #1 and #2 plastics, aluminum cans, tin cans, glass bottles and jars, and used motor oil. All cans and glass must be rinsed and de-lidded before arrival. The center is open Monday through Friday 8:00am–4:30pm only — no weekend hours. Plastics numbered #3 through #7, plastic bags, Styrofoam, wood, clothing, and plastic bins are explicitly not accepted; the center notes that not every container bearing a recycle symbol can be processed.
Beyond the 15th Street drop-off, Bell County extends its recycling reach through a Blue Bag curbside program for residential households and satellite recycling trailers at additional locations across the county. Residents who want curbside service or need to find the nearest trailer location can contact the Bell County Solid Waste office at (606) 337-7035 or email bellcountysolidwaste@outlook.com for current trailer placement information.
Middlesboro neighbors communities across the state line and within Kentucky's southeastern mountains. Residents of nearby Pineville, the Bell County seat roughly 18 miles north, can also access Bell County recycling infrastructure. For recycling options in Harlan or Barbourville, check those counties' individual solid-waste programs. Kentucky's full recycling center directory lists verified facilities statewide.
All Recycling Centers in Middlesboro
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Middlesboro
What can I recycle at the Bell County Recycling Center in Middlesboro?
The Bell County Recycling Center at 900 N 15th St accepts cardboard (broken down), newsprint, magazines, white paper, shredded paper (in a separate bag), #1 and #2 plastics, aluminum cans, tin cans, glass bottles and jars, and used motor oil — all free of charge. Plastics #3–#7, plastic bags, Styrofoam, wood, clothing, and plastic bins are not accepted.
What is the difference between Bell County Solid Waste and Bell County Recycling Center?
Both are county programs at 900 N 15th St. Bell County Solid Waste (606-337-7035) is the county coordinator's administrative office overseeing the full waste and recycling program. Bell County Recycling Center (606-248-7861) is the direct line for the physical drop-off facility. Both share the email bellcountysolidwaste@outlook.com.
Is there curbside recycling in Middlesboro, KY?
Yes — Bell County operates a Blue Bag curbside recycling program alongside the 15th Street drop-off center. Contact Bell County Solid Waste at (606) 337-7035 or bellcountysolidwaste@outlook.com to learn how to enroll or find the nearest satellite recycling trailer location in Bell County.
Is the Bell County Recycling Center open on weekends?
No — the facility at 900 N 15th St is open Monday through Friday only, 8:00am–4:30pm. It is closed Saturday and Sunday. Bell County's satellite recycling trailers at other locations around the county may be accessible outside those hours; contact the solid-waste office for current trailer sites.