The Tacoma Recycle Center
Drop-off recycling is available to residents for free at the Tacoma Recycle Center. You can drop off any recyclable items, including those that cannot be recycled in curbside bins due to size or type of material. All recyclables must be separated.
Download the Recycle Center and Household Hazardous Waste Facility Customer Guide
Location:
Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center
3510 S. Mullen St.
Tacoma, WA 98402
Hours:
OPEN: Seven days a week, 8 AM-5:30 PM
CLOSED: New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day
Frequently Asked Recycling Questions
Where Does Our Recycling Go?
Commingled recycling collected by the City of Tacoma is sorted at JMK Fibers. This facility, located in the Tacoma Tideflats, uses both state-of-the art equipment and people to sort items and remove any garbage. Once sorted, the recyclables are baled, sold, and turned into new products. JMK Fibers is owned and operated by Waste Management, Inc. Recyclables that are collected at the Tacoma Recycle Center are pre-sorted as they are placed into the bins there. Then, the items are baled, sold, and turned into new products.
How do the new international regulations on recycling affect Tacoma?
The majority of Tacoma’s recyclables are sold overseas, mainly in Asia. Many countries that import recyclables adopted strict policies regarding material quality. Materials that do not meet these requirements are rejected. There is low-to-no tolerance for dirty or improperly sorted items. More than ever, it’s important to emphasize quality over quantity and the need for clean recyclables. As a result of the new policies, the City of Tacoma, as well as many recycling programs across the United States, is facing increased costs to maintain its recycling program.
Who do I contact for questions about recycling in Tacoma?
Contact Solid Waste Management at (253) 502-2100 or solidwaste@cityoftacoma.org.