Jackson, MS Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Hinds County recycling is voluntary and inconsistent. Mississippi has no statewide mandatory recycling law; MDEQ encourages recycling through education but does not require residential participation under MS Code Ann. §17-17-1 et seq. The City of Jackson's curbside recycling has been intermittent, affected by the 2021-2023 sanitation contract disputes, regional processing facility closures, and contamination rates. When operating, the Jackson program accepts paper, cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, and plastics #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE); plastics #3-#7, plastic bags, Styrofoam, and food-contaminated materials are excluded. Contamination causes entire loads to be landfilled. Clinton operates a municipal recycling drop-off center at the public works facility accepting similar materials, with generally higher participation rates due to stable program operation. Byram, Raymond, Terry, and unincorporated Hinds County residents typically must self-haul to drop-off locations or participate in private hauler-provided programs. The Hinds County Regional Landfill accepts some recyclable materials for diversion. Multi-family properties, Jackson State University, and other large institutions have separate commercial recycling arrangements. Mississippi's overall recycling rate is among the lowest in the nation, and Hinds County follows that trend.