City of St. Louis Ends Alley Recycling, Increases Drop-Off Locations and Refuse Dumpsters
In a bold move, Mayor Cara Spencer has announced that the City of St. Louis will no longer offer alley recycling due to its ineffectiveness and high costs. Instead, the city will be expanding its number of recycling drop-off locations by 50%, increasing the number of alley refuse dumpsters by 100%, and committing additional staff to trash collection.
Recycling Costs City Five Times More Than Trash
Despite good intentions, recycling has proven to be a costly and ineffective effort for the City of St. Louis. Mayor Spencer revealed that the city spends almost five times more per ton on recycling than on trash. In addition, over half of the recycling collected this year has been rejected at the recycling center due to contamination, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill without receiving any benefits.
Overflowing Dumpsters and Inadequate Trash Collection
The decision to end alley recycling comes after many St. Louisans have experienced overflowing dumpsters in their alleys. The city has struggled to keep up with recycling and trash routes, resulting in inadequate trash collection. By redirecting the work hours previously dedicated to alley recycling, the city hopes to improve trash collection and address the issue of overflowing dumpsters.
Mayor Spencer: “St. Louisans Deserve Better”
Mayor Spencer stated, “St. Louisans deserve better than having trash overflowing behind their homes, and they deserve a government that is honest about what it can deliver.” She emphasized the importance of providing basic and crucial services to the city’s residents.
Expanding Drop-Off Locations and Continuing Roll Cart Recycling
For those who still wish to recycle, the city will be expanding its number of drop-off locations by 50% over the next 90 days. This will make it easier for residents to participate in the program, with the goal of having a drop-off location within 1 mile of all homes. Roll cart recycling, which has a lower contamination rate and is more effective than alley recycling, will continue.
Improving Trash Route Completion Rates
To further improve trash route completion rates, the city is evaluating possible workforce changes and collaborating with Washington University in St. Louis on a grant-funded equipment modernization project. These efforts aim to enhance the effectiveness of trash collection routes.
Costs and Funding for Waste Management Services
In Fiscal Year 2025, the City spent approximately $1.7 million on recycling disposal fees. However, of the 8,918 tons of recyclables collected, over 4,000 tons were rejected, resulting in avoidable expenses of approximately $633,500 for taxpayers. The total cost for providing waste management services, including trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulk pick-up, is $28 million annually. While the revenue from refuse collection fees covers $16.5 million, the remaining costs are covered by tax dollars.
