Miami County Recycles

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Empowering Communities for Sustainable Water Practices


Outreach Programs One way to empower communities for sustainable water practices is through outreach programs. These programs can take various forms, such as workshops, community events, and volunteer opportunities. By engaging community members in hands-on activities and providing them with the ne... Read More


A Recycling Filled Summer


As the summer season quickly approaches, many of us are looking forward to enjoying the great outdoors, hosting backyard barbecues, and embarking on exciting adventures. With an increased focus on sustainability and environmental consciousness, it's crucial to remember the importance of recycling.... Read More


Exploring the World of Foam Recycling


In recent years, the global consciousness regarding environmental conservation and sustainability has grown exponentially. As a result, the importance of recycling various materials, including plastics, metals, and paper, has gained significant traction. However, one area that often goes unnoticed i... Read More


Roscoe Retriever Search Tool


We have a NEW feature on our website! Roscoe Retriever! You will find it at the top of the page or by clicking here. What is Roscoe Retriever? Roscoe Retriever is a website feature that helps users determine what items can and cannot be recycled. The tool is designed to be intuitive and easy to ... Read More


Home Recycling Has a BIG Impact!


Did you know that the plastic water bottle you drop into a recycling bin can be made into anew plastic bottle a whopping 10 times, before then being made into another product such asclothing? And cans? Incredibly, they are infinitely recyclable! When you imagine how manybottled beverages or cans of ... Read More


Winter Recycling


When it comes to recycling, winter can bring its own set of challenges but do not worry, we are here to help! Here is a list of winter recycling tips to help you Make sure to rinse and dry your recyclables in order to prevent any ice build-up that may occur when placing them outside. Be sure to... Read More


Holiday Crafts from Recycling


2021 is coming to an end! We blinked, and the year has passed, but now we can use some of those items we saved for REUSE purposes! The Holiday season is the perfect excuse to craft using things you are RECYCLING! Here are two easy examples we hope you will try! Homemade Christmas tree table decorat... Read More


Zero Waste Work Environment


Miami County Solid Waste District is committed to helping you achieve a ZERO WASTE work environment. It only takes one person to make a change, and that person could be you. If you don't ask, you get nowhere! Take a few minutes this week to speak to your supervisor about the benefits of recycling a... Read More


DIY Halloween Decorations


It’s October, which means everyone’s favorite spooky holiday is right around the corner. If you’re looking to get creative but also save money on Halloween decorations this year, consider some of these fun, original upcycled Halloween projects! Added bonus to being earth-friendly: ... Read More


Bike Path & Recycling


Summer is coming to a close, but that does not mean you cannot enjoy some last-minute outdoor activities while the heat is still high. The Great Miami Riverway offers a variety of fun options to get out and enjoy the fresh air, including bike riding, walking, and kayaking.   Along the bike tr... Read More


Don’t Bag It, Just Bin It!


Recycling: it’s a mark of environmentally conscious, responsible, upstanding citizens all over the world, and it’s so simple! Right? Well, yes... But did you know you might actually be doing it wrong? It may be hard to hear, but if you are bagging your plastic bottles, metal can... Read More


Keep Our Ohio Riverways Clean and Beautiful


With summer in full swing and temperatures hitting the 90’s, now is the time of year when the water starts calling. Miami County is the fortunate site of numerous waterways, with the Great Miami River Watershed Water Trail boasting 291 miles of rivers and streams throughout Miami and neighbori... Read More


Do Your Part — Be Smart About Household Hazardous Waste


There’s nothing like a good spring cleaning to prepare for the warm-weather seasons and all the exciting things we’ll finally be able to enjoy again, like safe public gatherings! As the weather outside improves and public restrictions ease, it’s also an excellent time to think abou... Read More


4th Annual Billboard Contest


OUR 4TH ANNUAL BILLBOARD CONTEST HAS BEGUN! Miami County's K-12 Students! Send your 8.5" x 11" Recycling drawings to bpetry@miamicountysed.com for your chance to win!


Fall Leaves


The leaves are down, for the most part, and the raking is still in progress. Many communities will pick up your leaves on the curb, but there are other things you can do with those fall leaves! Mowing Feed and protect your lawn by mulching the leaves with your lawnmower. Mulch If you have gard... Read More


Keeping The Environment & Your Home Safe


Many of us are preparing for the upcoming winter season by decluttering and organizing our garages, basements, and storage closets. Often we collect, and store items like cleaning products, batteries, lawn fertilizer, oil, varnish, and even nail polish remover. These products have probably accumulat... Read More


Dining Out in a Post COVID world


As restrictions have eased on dining out with family, we have found ourselves in a new world when entering patios or dining rooms at local restaurants.  Tables have become more spread out, partitions are present at tables, and now there has become a noticeable change in disposable cutlery and m... Read More


RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES BEING PLACED IN YOUR TRASH DO NOT MIX


  Nationwide, solid waste facilities have seen a 40% increase in reported fires over the past year due to improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries.  Lithium is highly reactive and that energy can cause fires when they are broken open, damaged, or shorted. Miami County Solid Waste an... Read More


Earth Day


2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Celebrated every year on April 22nd, Earth Day is considered a day of action in keeping the environment clean. First started on April 22, 1970 by founder Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day was started in the hopes to raise a global awareness on the importance of... Read More


Hazardous Waste Disposal and YOU!


Ice is thawing, the sun is shining, and before you know it spring is in full-bloom! Shaking off the hibernation of winter is the perfect time to start your annual cleaning, not to mention work on that garden you’ve always wanted, but did you know that the average home contains 60 to 100 pounds... Read More


We LOVE to Recycle!


Every February stores begin to line their shelves with any number of hearts, from paper hearts to boxes of chocolates. It’s a Valentine’s Day frenzy of packaging, which can be hard to navigate when you are working on minimizing your use of packaging. But don’t fret! We have the sol... Read More


A Four R Sort of Year


Every year around December we are faced with choosing what our New Year’s resolutions will be. Will we finally finish all the books on our reading lists? Will we stick to that yoga routine? Will we accomplish that career move we’ve thought about for the past year? Ultimately, the resolut... Read More


Simple Solutions: Proper Waste Management at Home Decreases Air Pollution


Once a week we do something that gets that unwanted stuff out of our lives for good. We drag our large trashcan and recycling bins down to the end of the driveway. In the morning, the waste is gone and we have moved on with our lives. But did you know that many ways in which we dispose of our wast... Read More


Household Waste The Hazards of Improper Disposal and How to do it Right


One single household is likely to accumulate as much as 100 pounds of hazardous waste in storage areas such as basements, garages, and sheds (TheWorldCounts.com). Getting Started Many area residents will be spending the next few months cleaning, refreshing, and touching up our homes during the u... Read More


Spring Cleaning: Decluttering the MCSWD Way


It’s no surprise that with warmer days heading our way, we’re going to have weekends of decluttering, trashing, and repurposing. No one wants to take bags of trash out, clean up the garage, or send half of our closet to the second-hand shop in cold, snowy, windy weather. But we’ve ... Read More


Recycling Your Old Electronics


It seems as soon as we get used to the way an electronic device works, something faster and more efficient comes out on the market. With new products and great deals available during the holidays, many old devices find themselves replaced during this time. Unless a friend or family member would gl... Read More


Miami County Recycles! Recyclable Christmas Ornament Contest


The goal of the contest is to teach students to identify what is recyclable – by crafting gorgeous ornaments out of recyclable materials. Rules: The ornament must be made of recyclable materials. Glue, paint, glitter,  wire, etc. can be used, but the main emphasis of the contest is to... Read More


Negative Effects of Paper Production


Ever feel like you are surrounded by paper you no longer need? Sales ads, envelopes, junk mail, old bills, wrapping paper, and school work stack up daily waiting to be sorted through, shredded, or thrown out. It’s annoying and feels unnecessary at times. Good news! Our post-consumer paper i... Read More


Science Responds to the Plastic Problem


A few weeks ago we posted about Plastic Free July, but why do campaigns such as this exist? How did plastic even end up one of the most accessible materials for us? Why are people trying to get rid of this daily staple? Simply put, plastics were built to last. Due to their sturdiness, plastics en... Read More


Managing Waste in Schools


Most schools have been in session for a couple of weeks by now. The homework train has pulled in the station, school supplies might be wearing down already, and lunches are flying out the door. That means waste. Paper, school breakfast, school lunch, paper, pencils, most school supplies, packed... Read More


Continuing Beyond Plastic Free July


A guest post by educator Leslie Rogers As July wraps up, we want to check in on your progress of the Plastic Free July challenge and encourage you to continue the habit beyond just one month. One of the first things to do is understand why this challenge is even a thing. Don’t just do somethi... Read More


What to recycle, according to the experts


Here at the Miami County Transfer Station and Recycling Center, our goal is to help residents reduce waste -- by recycling through whatever system makes sense for them! Many of our municipalities and private haulers offer curbside pickup -- so what goes in the bin at home? The following applies to ... Read More


Winning Essay Contest Entry - "What Can I Recycle And Why?" by Grant B.


This essay, by Grant B., a sixth grade Covington student, won our 2018 essay contest. Thanks for your amazing work, Grant!   What Can I Recycle And Why?   Do you know how much waste is produced in the world each year? Have you ever wondered what materials make up our garbage and what m... Read More


Summer Brain Dump


Kids are out of school, burgers are on the BBQ, and the pool is ready to go. Summer vacation has begun! The last things your child is thinking of is their education. This is where you have to step in and help prevent the “summer brain dump”. The break in lessons, routines, and classrooms... Read More


Tossing Technology


It might not completely feel like it yet, but the calendar says spring is here. We still haven’t taken the plastic off of our windows yet, but I’m so ready to start cleaning and purging. This includes changing the batteries in the smoke detector and flashlights and tossing any electronic... Read More


1 OIL CHANGE CAN RUIN 1 MILLION GALLONS OF FRESH WATER


Do you, or someone you know, change the oil in your car at home? You can re-use it as lubricant for other equipment or bring it in to be properly disposed of. The E.P.A. states that oil from 1 oil change can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water! This is why proper handling and disposal are s... Read More


Reducing Waste: Buying Bulk


The first reason most people give to defend buying in bulk is that it is more cost-effective in the long run. Yet, there is another long-term effect of buying in bulk-waste reduction. A good friend of mine recently pulled a large container of dish soap out from under her kitchen sink. This really go... Read More


Safer Cleaning, Healthier You


When the calendar year changes, many people feel themselves looking for a fresh start, and with that comes a fresh home. This means that you are scrubbing away all of the dirt and grime that may have been building up so far this winter. And with these frigid winter temperatures, it’s almost a ... Read More


Avoid Recycling Contamination at Home: Paper and Packaging Products


The holidays are pretty much over. Cards, envelopes, wrapping paper, packaging and food containers have added to your festive home décor. And now you have to de-clutter. Paper seems to be people’s favorite material to recycle. According to Earth 911, “more paper is recovered for ... Read More


Plastic bags are a BIG problem


Many of us have gotten in the habit of using plastic bags we get from stores to gather things around the house. For example; I use them to clean out the cat box, collect small trash can waste, or to put soiled children’s clothing in before going back in the diaper bag. Those examples are fine ... Read More


Christmas Tree Recycling


2018 is finally here; a time for new beginnings and new year’s resolutions! With the excitement of the holidays behind us we can start taking down the tree. The frustrating process of untangling lights, storing ornaments, and removing the tinsel now is the beginning of keeping a new year&rsquo... Read More


Avoid Recycling Contamination at Home: Glass


Did you know that glass can be recycled infinitely without loosing its properties? That’s why it makes sense to want to put as much as possible in the curbside recycling bin. It’s easy to believe that glass is glass no matter what. Reading our What Can I Recycle page, you will notice th... Read More


Avoid Recycling Contamination at Home: All Plastics are Not the Same


Sometimes it can be confusing to determine what to throw in the recycling bin and what to trash. We finish a box of cereal and throw the box, and the bag inside, together into the recycling bin. Plastic is recyclable, right? Well, not always. The only plastics on our acceptable materials list are #1... Read More


Dispose of old batteries properly


Most people have some kind of drawer full of junk, and you'll usually find a dead battery or two in your own junk drawer. Disposing of them properly can keep you - and your waste hauler - safe! Household Batteries: You have probably heard that you were never supposed to throw away AA, AAA, or other... Read More


Give (Wrapping) Paper Another Chance & Conserve


There’s always one. The one family member who refuses to rip into the presents, taking her sweet time unwrapping the paper at each piece of tape, folding the section of giftwrap neatly before moving on to find out what is in the box. It can make for an excruciatingly long wait time for your tu... Read More


Don’t Throw that Away! Decreasing Food Waste During the Holiday Season


As we catapult into the holiday season, one of the first things that comes to our minds is food. Making it. Sharing it. Eating it. And, unfortunately, throwing it away. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Americans threw out over 38 million tons of food in 2014. That&rsqu... Read More


Dried Latex Paint Can Be Placed in Regular Trash


That’s right. There are safe and environmentally friendly ways to dispose of paint you can’t reuse or recycle, including placing them in the regular trash. There are a few simple “tricks of the trade” we’d like to share to show you how. It’s a way of “rethin... Read More


Reduce, Reusing, Recycling: Rethink (Pre-think) Your Next Paint Project


Tired of those half-empty paint cans lying around? There’s a great way to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and especially “Rethink” when you take on your next paint project.  Try using an online paint calculator. You simply measure the dimensions of the rooms you want to paint, accoun... Read More


History of Solid Waste - Part 4


From “American Dream” to “America Green” From using vultures and “piggeries,” Americans had tried it all. All along the way, we invented new ways of producing more waste. The American dream inspired many to do everything except “reduce, reuse and recycle.&r... Read More


History of Solid Waste – Part 3


Garbage Mountains Grow and Grow Surely entrepreneurial Americans got waste management better than most of the world, right? Eventually, we did. But it was a bit of a long haul up that garbage mountain to today’s greener approaches. We’re going to share some information published by the ... Read More


History of Solid Waste - Part 2


The Long, Winding and Sometimes Smelly Road to Modern Landfills In 2016, Miami County residents produced 73,709 tons of waste-- -- and managed to recycle 39,348 tons. But that meant 34,361 tons had to go somewhere-- -and in Miami County, ours went to the Cherokee Run Landfill in Logan County. We&rs... Read More


History of Solid Waste - Part 1


MODERN LANDFILLS ANCIENT PREDECESSOR Our modern day “solid waste approaches,” including our local landfill have more ancient roots than we might realize. Ariel David, a Tel-Aviv journalist, dug into ancient Jewish and Roman trash for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. “Archaeologists... Read More


Sharp spike in needle use leads to need for safe "sharp" disposal


As health self-care options become readily available, more and more individuals are beginning to administer syringe based injections using what folks in the industry call “sharps” - needles of various gauges and sizes to draw medications and administer them. According to at least one co... Read More


How much are my recyclables worth?


You may remember collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, or holding paper drives for school fundraising. It makes some of our residents wonder: how valuable are the recyclables I'm placing in the green bin or driving to the Recycling Center?  Think back to economics class: recyclabl... Read More