Lincoln County, SD Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Chapter 52 treats recycling facilities as a distinct licensed activity from curbside collection. Section 52.11 states that it shall be unlawful to purchase recycled materials or operate a recycling collection's facility or a recycling processing facility without first obtaining a recycling collection and/or processing facility license. The code defines the two facility types in § 52.01: a recycling collection facility is an established facility where recyclable materials are collected for shipment offsite with no processing, and fully enclosed automated self-serve aluminum collection machines and facilities handling recyclable hazardous materials or waste petroleum products both count as recycling collection facilities; a recycling processing facility is an established facility where recyclable materials are collected and/or processed by sorting, volume reduction, containment, or other preparation for shipment offsite, or where materials are source-separated in clear plastic bags into newspapers, corrugated cardboard, plastic and metal containers and aluminum, and all other paper and paper products.

Like a hauler's license, a facility license application goes to the County Auditor's office under § 52.12, requires proof of insurance and an emergency operational plan, and expires December 31 unless renewed; the Board of County Commissioners can deny or revoke it under § 52.14 for pollution, nuisance, or ordinance violations, and it is not transferable without Board approval under § 52.13. Rates for use of the county's own transfer station are set separately by the Board under § 52.02.