Recycling Centers in Missouri
Find local recycling drop-off locations across Missouri. Browse by city to see nearby facilities with hours and contact information.
Recycling in Missouri
Missouri lists 200 recycling centers across 102 cities, ranging from scrap metal yards and auto salvage operations to municipal drop-off sites and electronics collectors. The state does not have a bottle-deposit law and has no statewide mandatory recycling requirement. Missouri's e-waste law, enacted in 2008 and covering computer equipment purchased after July 1, 2010, requires manufacturers to register with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and offer free take-back for covered devices including CPUs, monitors, televisions, printers, and keyboards. Businesses, nonprofits, schools, churches, and government agencies are prohibited from discarding those covered electronics in Missouri landfills under sections 260.350–260.430, RSMo; residential households are not subject to the same ban but are strongly encouraged to recycle. The DNR Waste Management Program supports recycling through 20 regional solid waste management districts that have disbursed grant funding to communities since 1992.
Recycling infrastructure concentrates in the state's two largest metros. St. Louis and Kansas City each list 14 centers, the most in the state. Springfield follows with 13, Columbia with 12, and the state capital Jefferson City with 9. Smaller communities such as Washington (5), Eldon (4), and Fulton (4) round out the directory.
Because Missouri has no deposit system, residents recycle through curbside programs offered by individual municipalities and through drop-off sites managed by the solid waste districts. Electronics must be brought to a DNR-approved collector or a manufacturer take-back event; the DNR maintains a list of registered electronics recyclers on its website. Neighboring states with different recycling frameworks include Kansas to the west, Illinois to the east, and Arkansas to the south. Missouri recycling rates sit around 30%, well below the national average, partly due to the absence of a bottle bill or EPR law.
Top Cities by Number of Centers
All Cities in Missouri
Recycling in Missouri — FAQ
Does Missouri have a bottle deposit law?
No. Missouri has never enacted a bottle bill or container-deposit law. Beverage containers are recycled through curbside or drop-off programs rather than a refund system. The 200 centers listed across the state accept aluminum, glass, and plastic containers at no charge.
What electronics are banned from Missouri landfills?
Under Missouri law (RSMo 260.350–260.430), businesses, nonprofits, schools, churches, and government agencies cannot legally dispose of covered computer equipment in landfills. Covered items include CPUs, monitors, keyboards, mice, televisions, printers, and handheld devices sold after July 1, 2010. The ban does not apply to residential households, though the Missouri DNR recommends recycling. Drop-off options are available in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield.
Which agency oversees recycling in Missouri?
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Waste Management Program oversees solid waste and recycling statewide. It operates through 20 regional solid waste management districts that fund local recycling projects, composting, and education programs. The DNR also maintains the registry of electronics manufacturers and approved collectors.
Where are the largest recycling hubs in Missouri?
St. Louis and Kansas City each lead the state with 14 recycling centers, followed by Springfield with 13 and Columbia with 12. The state capital Jefferson City lists 9 centers. These cities offer the widest variety of scrap, electronics, and household recycling options.