Recycling Guide

• Market Demand for Recyclables – Recycling is driven by supply and demand. If there’s little demand for certain materials, recycling facilities may stop accepting them.

• Contamination Issues – If too many non-recyclable materials end up in recycling bins, it can lower the quality of recyclables, leading to stricter rules to reduce contamination.

• Changes in Waste Management Policies – Governments and recycling companies may adjust policies based on new environmental regulations, budget constraints, or agreements with waste processors.

Recycling practices vary across communities because of differences in geographic location, market demand for recyclable materials, and access to processing facilities.  In our small, rural county, limited infrastructure makes it more challenging to recycle certain materials efficiently. Shipping recyclables to distant facilities increases costs and reduces the feasibility of accepting a wide range of items. Budget constraints and contamination concerns also impact what we can recycle. Recycling rules differ across the country and world, so it is essential to check with local programs for specific guidelines.

• We do not have a household waste landfill, aka a "dump," in Teton County, Idaho. All household solid waste is hauled to Circular Butte Landfill, which is 90 miles away in Jefferson County, Idaho.