BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — Encouraging residents to reduce waste, the Auburn Recycling Center helps locals preserve the environment through recycling a variety of items.
“The goal of the city of Auburn’s Environmental Services Recycling and Conservation team is to encourage residents to engage in effective recycling practices, ensuring that Auburn sets a positive example for environmental stewardship,” said Public Relations Specialist for the city of Auburn Environmental Services Department Briaunna Jones. “Our technicians collect curbside recycling from residents in the city as well as maintain the recycle drop-off center. The recycle drop-off center is a facility where recyclable materials are collected from residents who live in apartments or condos and don’t receive our services. Additionally, it is a place to recycle glass.”
For those who may feel like recycling does not make a large impact, Jones said there are many environmental benefits to taking the time to utilize the facilities at the Auburn Recycling Center and making recycling a habit.
“In Auburn, a strong commitment to recycling can significantly reduce our ecological footprint and conserve valuable natural resources,” she said. “By increasing participation rates, the community can collectively contribute to a more sustainable future, reducing the demand for raw materials and the energy consumption associated with manufacturing new products. Encouraging people to recycle can be achieved through a combination of education, convenience, incentives and community involvement. Educating the public about the environmental benefits of recycling, such as reducing landfill waste and conserving natural resources, can foster a sense of responsibility and motivation.”
Items collected as part of the single-stream curbside collection include:
Plastics No. 1 – No. 7 (no plastic bags or plastic straws; items should be rinsed and clean)
• Aluminum cans (items should be rinsed and clean)
• Steel/tin cans (items should be rinsed and clean)
• Newspaper
• Cardboard (flattened)
• Magazines
• Mixed office paper, junk mail, etc.
• NO glass is accepted (glass may be recycled at the Recycling Drop-Off Center at 640 Mary Brooks Dr.)
The Recycling Drop-Off Center is temporarily located at 640 Mary Brooks Dr. and is open 24 hours a day, year-round. All recyclables collected as a part of the curbside program may be recycled at the drop-off center, in addition to the following items:
• Batteries — transistor only up to size D, no automobile, marine batteries, etc.
• Cooking grease/oil — pick up an empty container at the center and return it when full
• Glass — separate by color, and all items should be clean Computer equipment, old cell phones and electronics that are not televisions or monitors may be recycled, but an appointment must be made, as these items require special handling. Those items are brought to the Environmental Services facility at 4277 Wire Rd, Suite 100.
Jones said for community members who want to make recycling a part of their 2026 goals, there are many ways to integrate the habit into daily life — which will help protect and save the environment.
“The first step is to educate yourself on what can and cannot be recycled in Auburn, as recycling guidelines in different communities can vary significantly,” she said. “Once you’re informed, set up a designated recycling station in your home to make sorting waste easy and intuitive. Begin by integrating recycling into your daily routine; for example, make it a habit to rinse containers before placing them in the bin. You can also drop off recyclables at the recycle drop-off center if curbside pickup isn’t available. Additionally, involving family or roommates in the process can create a shared commitment and make it more enjoyable. People should try to make it a goal for 2026 because over time, these small, consistent actions will become second nature, contributing positively to the environment.”
For more information, visit www.auburnal.gov/garbage-and-recycling.
