Recycling Centers in University City, MO
Find drop-off recycling locations in University City, Missouri. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
University City 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 University City: A Local Guide
University City (U City) is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis in St. Louis County, Missouri. The city operates a robust recycling program that includes free 24-hour drop-off sites at Heman Park Community Center, giving residents — and the general public — round-the-clock access to recycling without any fee, appointment, or ID requirement.
Heman Park Recycling Center is a free, unstaffed outdoor drop-off in the north rear parking lot of Heman Park Community Center at Pennsylvania Avenue and the U City Shopping Center. Open 24 hours every day, it accepts clean, dry paper, cardboard, cartons, household glass, metal cans, and plastic containers, plus a dedicated textiles bin for clothes, shoes, linens, and small rugs. Plastic film and grocery bags are no longer accepted at this site.
University City Recycling Center operates from the same address — 975 Pennsylvania Ave — and is also open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at no charge. Its accepted materials mirror the Heman Park site, with the added detail that plastics #1–5 and #7 are accepted (Styrofoam #6 is not). The city's hard-to-recycle guide also lists this location for books and bicycles. For electronics, the city holds separate free biannual drop-off events (spring and fall) at Centennial Commons, 7210 Olive Blvd, for St. Louis County residents. Light bulb drop-off (CFLs, non-fluorescents) is available at City Hall, 6801 Delmar Blvd, weekdays 8 AM–5 PM. Call the city's Public Works line at (314) 505-8560 for questions.
All Recycling Centers in University City
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in University City
Are both University City recycling sites really open 24 hours a day?
Yes. Both the Heman Park Recycling Center and the University City Recycling Center at 975 Pennsylvania Ave are unstaffed outdoor drop-offs confirmed by the City of University City as open 24 hours a day, every day of the week, at no cost.
Can I recycle glass bottles at the University City drop-off sites?
Yes. Household glass containers (bottles and jars) are accepted at both 24-hour drop-off locations at 975 Pennsylvania Ave. Window glass and ceramic dishes are not accepted.
Where can I recycle electronics like TVs or computers in University City?
Not at the 24-hour drop-off bins. The City of University City holds free biannual electronics recycling events (spring and fall) at Centennial Commons, 7210 Olive Blvd. Those events are open to St. Louis County residents (not businesses) and accept up to two monitors or TVs per vehicle at no charge. Check ucitymo.org for the next scheduled date.
Do I need to be a University City resident to use these recycling centers?
The City's official recycling page lists no residency restriction for the 24-hour drop-off sites. There is no gate, no ID requirement, and no fee documented. The biannual electronics events, however, are explicitly limited to St. Louis County residents.