Springfield, MO Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum frequency
- twice per month
- Same weekday
- required
- Core materials
- cans, paper, cardboard, plastics
- Resident participation
- voluntary opt-in
- Non-compliant hauler
- risks license suspension
Summary
Any hauler licensed to collect residential trash in Springfield must also offer curbside recycling at least twice a month, covering cans, paper, cardboard and plastics, under Sec. 94-7(c)(8).
the applicant shall presently provide and shall continue to provide a voluntary curbside recycling service to its customers which permits the collection of at least the following materials from each customer: tin cans, aluminum cans, mixed paper and newspapers, cardboard, clear plastic high density polyethylene (HDPE) milk containers, clear and green plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) drink containers and glass containers. If the curbside service is a comingled or single stream recycling service, the applicant shall not include glass containers in this service. The applicant may (at their discretion) offer curbside glass collection as a stand-alone service separate from comingled service. The service available shall be provided at a frequency of not less than twice per month and on the same day of the week each time.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2 | Land Development Code: Supplement 9 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Springfield does not run its own curbside recycling truck; it licenses private haulers under Sec. 94-7, and subsection (c)(8) makes offering recycling a condition of that license. Any hauler providing residential waste collection must keep offering its customers a voluntary curbside recycling service accepting, at minimum, tin and aluminum cans, mixed paper and newspaper, cardboard, clear HDPE milk containers, and clear/green PETE drink containers; a hauler running comingled single-stream service may leave glass out of that stream but may still offer glass separately. The service must run at least twice a month, on the same day of the week each time. Materials collected this way cannot be redirected to the sanitary landfill or the city's public drop-off recycling containers unless contaminated or the director authorizes it in writing.
Violations & Fines
Recycling service is a condition of the hauler's annual solid-waste license under Sec. 94-7. A hauler that fails to provide it risks license suspension for up to six months, or revocation and a two-year disqualification for repeat violations, under Sec. 94-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is curbside recycling mandatory for Springfield residents?
What materials must Springfield haulers accept for recycling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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