Recycling is a simple but effective way to protect our planet and preserve our natural resources. By recycling materials, we can reduce our energy consumption, mitigate the effects of climate change, and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. 

Republic Services picks up recycling every Wednesday and delivers it to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Kilgore. 

Examples of items to recycle:

• newspapers
• magazines
• cardboard boxes
• aluminum cans
• tin cans
• plastic bottles

Remember, the MRF cannot accept everything. Some items that should not be placed in the recycling bin include:

• Kitchen and food waste (paper plates, cups, and food wrappers)
• Glass
• Screw tops from drink containers

It is also very helpful to rinse out plastic bottles and cans to avoid adding contamination to the recycling.

If you have any questions about recycling or trash pickup in Athens, please call Republic Services at 903-677-1276 or the City of Athens at 903-675-5131.