Recycling Guide for Northern Kentucky
Learn how to start recycling in Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties
Step 1: Understand Recycling Options
Each county offers curbside recycling and drop-off locations coordinated by the Northern Kentucky Solid Waste Management Area (NKSWMA).
Curbside Recycling
Contact your waste hauler (e.g., Rumpke) or Boone County Solid Waste (859-334-4808) to confirm service and request a bin.
Drop-Off Locations
- Boone County Recycling Center: 3275 Maplewood Drive, Burlington, KY (Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–3:30 PM)
- Idlewild Rd & Maplewood Dr: 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, KY
- Conner High School: 3310 Cougar Path, Hebron, KY
- Burlington Recycling: Barney's Rd., Burlington, KY
- Bullittsville Christian Church: 3094 Petersburg Road, Burlington, KY
- Belleview/McVille Fire Dept: 6900 McVille Road, Burlington, KY
- Enrichment Center: 1824 Patrick Drive, Burlington, KY (Styrofoam bin available)
- Immaculate Heart of Mary: 5876 Veterans Way, Burlington, KY (paper only)
- Petersburg Community Center: 6517 Market Street, Petersburg, KY
Contact: 859-334-4808
Curbside Recycling
Contact your waste hauler or Campbell County Solid Waste (859-547-1866) to confirm availability.
Drop-Off Locations
- TANK Park and Ride Lot: 9000 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, KY
- Visit nkyrecycling.com for more locations.
Contact: 859-547-1866, SolidWaste@campbellcountyky.gov
Curbside Recycling
Contact your waste hauler or Kenton County Solid Waste (859-392-1920) to verify service.
Drop-Off Locations
Check kentoncounty.org or nkyrecycling.com for locations.
Voucher Program
Use vouchers for waste disposal at Bavarian Landfill (12764 McCoy Fork Road, Walton, KY).
Contact: 859-392-1920
Step 2: What Can and Cannot Be Recycled
Avoid contamination by following these guidelines:
Acceptable Items
- Plastic Bottles/Jugs: #1 and #2 with spout smaller than bottom (lids OK).
- Glass Bottles/Jars: Food/beverage containers, rinsed, lids off.
- Metal Cans: Aluminum, steel, aerosol (rinsed, lids off).
- Mixed Paper: Copy paper, cereal boxes, junk mail (no plastic wrap).
- Cardboard/Paperboard: Dry, flattened, grease-free (no pizza boxes).
Non-Acceptable Items
- Styrofoam, plastic bins, electronics, organic material.
- Wood, plastic toys, furniture, hazardous items.
- Plastic Bags: Recycle at stores like Kroger or Walmart.
- Other plastics (#3–#7) unless through special programs.
Tip: When in doubt, throw it out to avoid contamination.
Step 3: Set Up Your Recycling System
- Obtain a Bin: Get a curbside bin from your waste hauler or use county drop-off bins.
- Sort and Prepare: Rinse containers, flatten cardboard, remove non-recyclables.
- Schedule: Place curbside bins out on pickup day or visit drop-off sites during hours.
Step 4: Special Recycling Programs
Hefty ReNew Program
Recycle hard-to-recycle plastics (e.g., straws, chip bags) using orange Hefty ReNew bags. Purchase bags or request a free starter kit at campbellcountyky.gov.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Event
Annual event (first Saturday in November) for electronics, tires, batteries, paint, etc. Visit nkyhhw.org.
Voucher Programs
Boone and Kenton Counties offer vouchers for waste disposal. Contact respective Solid Waste departments.
Step 5: Educate Yourself and Stay Involved
- Learn: Tour a recycling facility to understand the process.
- Follow the Five R's: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot.
- Stay Updated: Sign up for Campbell County's newsletter or check county websites.
- Get Involved: Join community cleanups or provide feedback on waste plans.
Key Contacts
| Organization | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Boone County Solid Waste | 859-334-4808 | boonecountyky.org |
| Campbell County Solid Waste | 859-547-1866, Email | campbellcountyky.gov |
| Kenton County Solid Waste | 859-392-1920 | kentoncounty.org |
| Northern Kentucky Recycling | - | nkyrecycling.com |
| Household Hazardous Waste | - | nkyhhw.org |