Recycling Program

The City of Hays Residential Recycling Program is easy and convenient to use. Here are tips to make it easier for you:

  • Please place recyclables approximately 2 to 3 feet away from polycarts.
  • Please use blue or clear bags only for recyclables and non-trash items.

Bag Contents

  1. Bag 1 - Mixed Paper/Cardboard
  2. Bag 2 - Co-Mingled Bag

Drawing of Various Paper-Based RecyclablesNewspapers

Newspaper inserts are also acceptable to recycle.

Mixed Paper

  • Catalogs
  • Junk Mail
  • Magazines
  • Phone Books
  • Miscellaneous Paper Products

Cardboard

  • Cardboard Egg Cartons
  • Corrugated Boxes
  • Product Boxes such as cereals, cakes, potato flakes, and rice
    • Remove liners

Large Cardboard boxes that do not fit in the bags do not need to be bagged but broken down. Please take steps to keep paper and cardboard dry.

Items to Not Include

Non-recyclable Items

Items that are not recyclable:

  • Cigarettes
  • Packing Peanuts
  • Plastic bags - Dillon's and Wal-Mart grocery bags, bread bags, plastic wrap, etc.
  • Styrofoam

Contaminating Items

Certain items can actually contaminate the recycling material. Please do not include these items in the blue bags:

  • Aerosol Cans
  • Batteries
  • Ceramics
  • Crystal
  • Glass Doors
  • Hazardous Chemicals
  • Light Bulbs
  • Mirrors
  • Oil/Paint Cans
  • Pyrex
  • Windowpanes
  • Windshields

Please take all hazardous waste to the Ellis County hazardous waste site. Call 785-628-9449 for details.

Contact Us

For more information regarding our Recycling Program, please contact the Solid Waste Division 785-628-7350. We will be happy to mail you a brochure giving details of our Solid Waste Collection Program.