What Can Actually Go in Kirksville Curbside Recycling?

The recycling symbol on a package does not determine whether Kirksville accepts it.

Local program rules do.

Current curbside materials

As of September 27, 2026, the City's live recycling page lists ordinary curbside acceptance for materials including:

• clean #1 and #2 plastics;
• milk jugs;
• grocery bags;
• aluminum cans;
• steel and tin cans;
• newspapers;
• mixed paper;
• junk mail;
• corrugated cardboard.

Shredded paper should be bagged separately.

Keep food contamination out

Food residue can turn otherwise recyclable material into contamination.

Cardboard should be clean enough for the local stream.

The current City guidance excludes chipboard or food boxes and also identifies some coated or food-related packaging as not accepted.

When the packaging is ambiguous, the live City/RTS rules beat generic recycling advice.

Overflow can be handled separately

The current program allows excess recyclables to be placed in a transparent bag beside the recycling tote.

The City's page currently describes curbside recycling as having no collection charge and no stated quantity limit.

Those operational details can change, so verify the live page when planning an unusually large set-out.

Glass is separate

Glass does not go into the ordinary curbside recycling tote.

Kirksville currently uses a separate glass collection program.

The live page says a dedicated glass tote is purchased through City Hall for a one-time fee, and glass is collected on a separate schedule.

As of the current page, accepted glass examples include:

• bottles;
• jars;
• drinking glasses;
• vases.

Excluded examples include:

• windshields;
• mirrors;
• ceramic;
• porcelain;
• milk glass.

Do not put ordinary glass into the standard recycling stream because it “looks recyclable.”

Do not rely on resin numbers alone

A plastic item marked #3, #5 or #7 is not automatically accepted locally.

The City's current page specifically identifies #1 and #2 plastics.

Local acceptance depends on the collection contract and downstream market.

Collection timing

Current City guidance says curbside recycling is collected every other week on the household's normal trash day.

Schedules can change.

Use the current City calendar rather than an old screenshot.

When in doubt, leave it out until verified

Wish-cycling creates contamination.

If you are unsure about an unusual item:

1. check the current City recycling page;
2. check current RTS guidance if linked;
3. ask before placing it in the tote.

For appliances and hazardous materials, use their separate disposal paths rather than ordinary recycling.

For hazardous household chemicals, see How to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste in Kirksville.