Recycling in Little Rock: How and Where to Recycle Responsibly

LITTLE ROCK (April 14, 2025) — Recycling is one of the simplest and most effective actions we can take to reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and protect the environment. Every item you recycle helps keep valuable materials out of landfills, saves energy, and cuts down on pollution. By recycling correctly, you’re contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable Little Rock—and a healthier planet.

Whether you’re cleaning out your garage, replacing old electronics, or just sorting the week’s recycling, there are many ways to recycle responsibly in Central Arkansas. Little Rock offers curbside recycling, multiple drop-off centers, and special events to help make your recycling efforts easier and more impactful.

♻️ Best Practices for Curbside Recycling

Curbside recycling is a convenient way to keep recyclable materials out of the trash. But to make a real difference, it’s important to recycle the right way and avoid contamination.

✅ What Can Be Recycled at the Curb

The City of Little Rock accepts the following materials in residential recycling bins:

• Paper & Cardboard: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, cereal boxes, and flattened cardboard
• Plastics #1, #2, & 5: Primarily bottles, jugs, and tubs (check the triangle symbol)
• Metal Cans: Aluminum drink cans, tin and steel food cans
• Glass Bottles & Jars: Clear, green, and brown food and beverage containers

📌 When in doubt, check it out: Curbside Recycling 101 – LittleRock.gov

🚫 What NOT to Include

Keep your recycling clean by leaving out these common contaminants:

• Plastic grocery bags (recycle separately at drop-off locations)
• Greasy pizza boxes (recycle the clean lid, trash the oily bottom)
• Food waste or residue
• Styrofoam
• Tanglers like cords, hoses, or string lights

♻️ Quick Tips for Better Recycling

• Rinse, Don’t Scrub: A quick rinse removes food and liquid residue without wasting water.
• Flatten Cardboard: Saves space in your bin and on collection trucks.
• Leave Caps On: Secure caps on plastic bottles and jugs to ensure they get recycled.
• Avoid Wish-Cycling: If you’re unsure if something’s recyclable, it’s better to leave it out and research how best to dispose of it.

♻️ The Green Station: A Hidden Gem for Little Rock Recycling

Not sure what to do with old paint, broken electronics, or dead batteries? The Green Station is your go-to spot for recycling items that don’t belong in your curbside bin—and it’s conveniently located just seven minutes from the Zoo!

This dedicated facility accepts a wide range of harder-to-recycle household items, including:
• Household hazardous waste (like paint, cleaning chemicals, and pesticides)
• E-waste (computers, TVs, cords, and more)
• Plastic grocery bags
• Light bulbs and household batteries

📍 Location: 2000 S Thayer Street
🕒 Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
Last Saturday of each month, 7 a.m.–1 p.m.

📌 Need More Info? Little Rock Green Station – LittleRock.gov

💡 Please Note: The Green Station is NOT for everyday recyclables like cardboard, plastic bottles, or metal cans. For those, visit one of the Recycling Centers detailed below.

♻️ Where to Recycle in Little Rock

If you don’t have access to curbside pickup—or need to recycle something not accepted at the curb—there are several convenient drop-off options.

City of Little Rock Drop-Off Centers

These locations are free and open to all residents:

Waste Management WM Recycling Facility

• Location: 7900 Sloane Drive, Little Rock, AR 72206
• Hours: Mon–Fri, 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Accepted Materials: Paper, cardboard, plastic bottles & tubs, glass bottles, food & beverage cartons, metal cans

Natural State Recycling

• Location: 4501 Thibault Road, Little Rock, AR 72206
• Hours: Mon–Fri, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Accepted Materials: Paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and bagged metal cans

Maumelle Recycling Collection Station

• Location: 423 Cogdell Drive, Maumelle, AR 72113
• Hours: Mon–Thu: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM | Fri: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM| Sat: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
• Accepted Materials: Mixed paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles

🦁 Recycling Events at the Zoo

The Little Rock Zoo is proud to partner with the Little Rock Sustainability Office and Keep Little Rock Beautiful to host quarterly community recycling events. These drive-through events allow residents to conveniently drop off a wide variety of materials.

2025 Recycling Event Dates:

• March 1
• June 7
• September 20
• November 15

Time & Location: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – East Parking Lot, Corner of Zoo Drive & Monroe

❌ Please, no early or late drop-offs. If you’re unable to attend during event hours, we encourage you to utilize the Green Station or another local recycling drop-off location.

Accepted Items:

• Information-sensitive documents for shredding
• E-waste (excluding fridges and window AC units)
• #1 & #2 plastic bottles and jugs
• #5 plastic tubs
• Cardboard, paper, aluminum & steel cans
• Plastic bags and stretchy wrap
• Clean glass containers
• Bicycles (any condition)
• Gently used housewares for donation

Questions? Contact: recycle@littlerock.gov | (501) 371-4646

📱 Cell Phone Recycling at the Zoo

As an avid Zoo fan you’ve probably already heard about our participation in a special program called Gorillas on the Line.

The Little Rock Zoo is working with Eco-Cell to recycle cell phones, help the environment, and raise money for gorilla conservation. Zoos and aquariums across the continent will be collecting mobile phones for gorilla conservation!

Why are we collecting cell phones for gorillas?

Many handheld electronics are made with coltan, which is mined in wild gorilla habitat.  So, recycling old phones/electronics helps to decrease the need for new mining.  At the same time, recycling raises money to directly support gorilla conservation initiatives through Gorilla SAFE programs. All proceeds from donated devices sent to Eco-Cell will be sent to the Gorilla SAFE program. Money raised will help with habitat protection, monitoring, education about gorilla conservation and more! Join us to help save gorillas in the wild!

By recycling your old phones and tablets, you help reduce the demand for new mining, protect critical ecosystems, and contribute to global conservation efforts—all from right here in Little Rock.

Accepted at the Zoo for the Gorillas on the Line Program:

• Cell phones
• Tablets
• Apple Watches and handheld gaming devices

Drop off your old cell phones, tablets, and small devices at the drop box in the front entry plaza and contribute to wild gorilla conservation at the same time. Tickets are not required to drop off devices. Devices are collected all year long!

❌ Please do not bring other electronics—take those to the Green Station.

🌎 Make a Difference with Every Item

Recycling is more than a chore—it’s a choice to care for your community and planet. Whether you’re sorting recyclables at home, dropping off electronics at the Green Station, or joining a recycling event at the Zoo, every action counts.

Start making a difference today. Together, we can build a greener Little Rock—one recycled item at a time.