Salt Lake City, UT Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Container issued
- At least 1 free recycling cart
- Extra container
- 1 more free with approval
- Opt-out allowed
- Yes, must follow 9.08.095
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Sustainability
- First citation fine
- $25
Summary
Every Salt Lake City residence with city refuse service is automatically issued at least one recycling container at no added charge, and opting out still requires following the city's material-sorting rules.
Each residence with at least one city issued refuse container shall be issued at least one recycling container. One additional recycling container may be provided at no additional charge upon approval of the director of sustainability or designee. Owners or property managers of residences receiving city refuse collection service will not be charged for recycling collection service in addition to the refuse collection fee shown on the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule.
b. Owners or property managers of residences may opt out of recycling collection service, but shall comply with section
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Salt Lake City's Department of Sustainability issues at least one automated recycling container to every residence that has a city refuse container, with a second container available free upon approval. Recycling collection isn't billed separately from the refuse fee. Owners can opt out of recycling service, but must still comply with the allowable-materials rules in section 9.08.095. Violations of the allowable-materials and contamination rules draw escalating civil citations under section 2.75.
Violations & Fines
$25 for a first citation, $50 for a second within 6 months, $100 for a third within 6 months (Sec. 9.08.095); $50 per violation under Sec. 9.08.030G. City can discontinue collection service for repeat noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay extra for recycling pickup in Salt Lake City?
Can I opt out of recycling collection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle recycling requirements.