Choose the Right Salina Recycling Route
The Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center at 125 W. North St. handles clean household recycling and many year-round e-waste items. Paint, chemicals, landfill waste, tires and bulky trash can follow different City routes, so checking the material before loading your vehicle can prevent a wasted trip.
Three City routes to know
These facilities solve different disposal problems.
Fast answer before you drive
The main Salina recycling facility is the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center (SDRC), 125 W. North St., Salina, KS 67401, at North Street and North Santa Fe Avenue. The City currently lists it open Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except standard City holidays.
SDRC is a single-stream, no-sort drive-thru for Salina and Saline County residents and small businesses. Use it for clean, dry cans, cardboard, glass food and beverage containers, paper, qualifying plastic containers, bagged shredded paper and many e-waste devices.
Verify SDRC hours and current acceptance rules on the City of Salina website.
On this page
Which Salina Recycling or Disposal Service Should You Use?
Salina operates separate services for recycling, household hazardous waste and landfill disposal. The correct destination depends on what is in your load.
Drive-thru Recycling Center
Use SDRC for common clean recyclables and many electronics. It is designed for Saline County residents and small businesses and does not operate as a general trash dump.
Household Hazardous Waste
Use the HHW facility for qualifying residential paint, auto fluids, pesticides, lithium and rechargeable batteries, fluorescent bulbs and other hazardous household products.
Municipal Landfill
Use the landfill for fee-based solid-waste disposal, yard waste, certain tires and other materials directed to the landfill under City rules.
Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center Hours
The City currently lists SDRC open Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is not listed as a normal Monday, Tuesday or Sunday drop-off option.
| Day | SDRC Schedule | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Not listed as open | Phone questions can still be directed to General Services during weekday office hours. |
| Tuesday | Not listed as open | Wait for Wednesday unless the City announces a special event. |
| Wednesday | 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Regular drive-thru service. |
| Thursday | 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Regular drive-thru service. |
| Friday | 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Regular drive-thru service. |
| Saturday | 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Regular weekend service unless affected by a City holiday. |
| Sunday | Not listed as open | Plan for Wednesday–Saturday service. |
Questions before you load the vehicle
The City lists the SDRC phone number as 785-309-5750 and says questions can be handled Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Accepted Items at Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center
The City says recyclable items should be clean and dry, with lids left on containers. Flatten cardboard and pasteboard when possible, and keep shredded paper bagged separately.
| Material | Accepted at SDRC | How to Prepare It |
|---|---|---|
| Metal food and beverage cans | Aluminum, steel and tin cans | Empty and keep clean and dry. |
| Cardboard and pasteboard | Yes | Flatten if possible. |
| Glass | Food and beverage containers of any color | Use bottles and jars rather than window glass or windshields. |
| Paper | Magazines, catalogs, junk mail, office paper, books and newspapers | Keep clean and dry. |
| Plastic | Beverage, food and soap containers; City 2026 sanitation guidance identifies plastics #1–#6 | Empty containers and leave out bags, film and utensils. |
| Shredded paper | Yes | Bag separately; the City’s 2026 guidance prefers paper or clear plastic bags. |
Simple preparation rule
Keep recyclables clean and dry, flatten cardboard, separate shredded paper, and remove obvious trash. The drive-thru is convenient, but convenience does not override the City’s accepted-item list.
Items Not Accepted at the Salina Recycling Center
SDRC is not a general disposal site. Several common household items need another route because they create contamination, handling or safety problems.
Hazardous or pressurized
- Aerosols
- Hazardous chemicals
- Hazardous chemical containers
- Smoke detectors
Wrong material type
- Aluminum foil
- Glass panes and windshields
- Plastic bags and film
- Bubble wrap and plastic utensils
- Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- Tetra Pak-style cartons
- Wood
Needs another program
- Alkaline batteries
- Car batteries
- Freon-containing appliances
- Large appliances
- Light bulbs
- CDs, DVDs and other physical media
Year-Round E-Waste Recycling in Salina
The current City SDRC page describes e-waste as part of the center’s regular recycling program. Its 2026 materials say the center accepts a broad range of electronics throughout the year.
| E-Waste Category | Examples Listed by the City |
|---|---|
| Computers and IT | Computer and information-technology equipment |
| Audio and video | Audio/video electronics |
| Gaming and entertainment | Gaming and entertainment devices |
| Office devices | Office equipment |
| Cameras | Camera and photography equipment |
| Small appliances | Small kitchen and household appliances |
| Other electronics | Many devices with a cord or battery |
Not every electronic item belongs at SDRC
The City’s list excludes large appliances, Freon-containing equipment, light bulbs, smoke detectors and physical media such as CDs and DVDs. Verify an unusual device before loading it.
Paint, Chemicals and Household Hazardous Waste
The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is at 315 E. Elm St., Salina, KS 67401. The City lists regular hours Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., plus the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Appointments may be available outside regular hours.
The program is primarily for residential material and accepts common hazardous household products at no charge under its published limits and handling rules.
| HHW Detail | Current City Guidance |
|---|---|
| Weekly household limit | 50 lb. of solids or 5 gallons of liquids per household. |
| Accepted battery types | Button-cell, lithium and rechargeable batteries. |
| Paint | Oil-based and latex paint are listed. |
| Automotive liquids | Antifreeze, fuel, used oil and similar auto fluids. |
| Other common materials | Aerosols, fluorescent tubes/CFLs, herbicides, cleaners, mercury items, pesticides, small propane cylinders and wood stains. |
How to transport HHW safely
- Do not combine different materials.
- Use sturdy containers rather than loose garbage bags.
- Keep labels legible and lids tightly secured.
- Wrap leaking containers and use absorbent material when needed.
- Transport hazardous materials in the trunk or truck bed rather than the passenger compartment.
Salina Municipal Landfill Hours and 2026 Fees
The Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill is at 4292 S. Burma Rd., Salina, KS 67401. Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The landfill is closed Sundays, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The City’s 2026 sanitation guidance also says it closes early at 2:00 p.m. on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
| 2026 Landfill Fee | Secured Load | Unsecured Load |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 lb. | $12.50 per vehicle | $25.00 per vehicle |
| 500 lb. and over | $50.00 per ton | $100.00 per ton |
| Residential yard waste | No charge | $12.50 per vehicle |
| Commercial yard waste | $25.00 per ton | $50.00 per ton |
Secure the load before driving
The City states that landfill fees are doubled when loads are uncovered or unsecured. Covering the load is therefore both a litter-control requirement and an important cost issue.
Check current landfill fees · Open the official landfill page
Residential Yard Waste at the Salina Landfill
Saline County residents can currently bring properly secured residential yard waste to the landfill without a disposal charge. The City’s 2026 information specifically mentions brush, logs and stumps.
An unsecured residential yard-waste load carries the landfill minimum fee of $12.50 per vehicle. Commercial yard-waste rates are different and are based on tonnage.
Salina Landfill Tire Fees for 2026
Tires are not a normal SDRC recycling item. The municipal landfill publishes separate 2026 charges based on tire size and whether a rim is attached.
| Tire Type | 2026 Fee |
|---|---|
| Auto — no rim | $4.50 each |
| Auto — with rim | $11.00 each |
| Truck — no rim | $11.50 each |
| Truck — with rim | $18.00 each |
| Equipment/truck — no rim | $50.75 each |
| Equipment/truck — with rim | $57.25 each |
| 18.4–23 — no rim | $98.00 each |
| 18.4–23 — with rim | $104.50 each |
| 23.5–30.5 | $221.00 each |
For unusual tire sizes, commercial quantities or agricultural/equipment tires, call the landfill at 785-826-7395 before transporting the load.
Special Trash Pickup in Salina
City sanitation customers who have bulky waste that does not belong at SDRC can request special trash pickup. The City’s 2026 sanitation fee sheet lists $28.75 for the first 15 minutes and $28.75 for each additional 30 minutes for customers.
The same 2026 fee sheet lists non-customer special pickup at $57.50 for the first 15 minutes and the same amount for each additional 30 minutes.
Items the request page lists
- Bags
- Tree limbs
- Large appliances with Freon removed
- Carpet
- Furniture
- Tires, with additional fees
- Cardboard boxes
- Miscellaneous bulky items
Items not collected through this service
- Items containing Freon
- Items containing gas or oil
- Paint and paint cans
- Concrete
- Bricks
Fee-page conflict to be aware of
The City’s online request form still displays an older $28.00 customer base fee, while the official 2026 sanitation fee document lists $28.75. Use the current fee document or call General Services before scheduling if the exact charge matters.
Before You Visit the Salina Recycling Center
Choose the correct City facility
Use SDRC for regular recycling and many electronics, HHW for hazardous household products and the landfill for disposal loads.
Check the operating day
SDRC’s published schedule is Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except standard City holidays.
Clean and dry normal recyclables
Remove food and liquids, flatten cardboard where practical and keep paper dry.
Bag shredded paper separately
The City specifically asks for shredded paper to be bagged separately.
Separate batteries and hazardous products
Do not put lithium batteries, paint, chemicals or fluorescent bulbs into a normal SDRC load.
Secure landfill loads
Unsecured loads can cost twice as much at the municipal landfill.
Verify an unusual item before leaving
Call 785-309-5750 for SDRC or sanitation questions and 785-826-7395 for landfill-specific questions.
Common Salina Recycling Problems and Better Next Steps
| Problem | Why It Happens | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| You arrive Monday or Tuesday | SDRC is not listed as open those days. | Return Wednesday–Saturday during published hours. |
| Plastic bags are rejected | Film, bags and similar flexible plastics are not on the accepted SDRC list. | Use an appropriate retailer or specialty-film program if one is available. |
| Paint or chemicals are refused | These belong in the HHW program rather than the drive-thru recycling stream. | Use the HHW facility at 315 E. Elm St. |
| Large appliance is rejected | Large appliances are outside the normal SDRC list. | Check landfill or special-pickup requirements; Freon-containing items require additional handling. |
| Landfill charge is double what you expected | The load may be uncovered or unsecured. | Cover and secure loads before transport. |
| Old source says e-waste is only annual | An older HHW page still references an annual e-waste event. | Use the current SDRC page and 2026 sanitation guidance, which describe year-round e-waste at SDRC. |
Map to Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center
This map points to the main recycling center at 125 W. North St., Salina, KS 67401. Do not use this address for HHW or landfill loads.
Frequently Asked Questions About Salina Recycling Center
Where is the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center?
The center is at 125 W. North St., Salina, KS 67401, near the corner of North Santa Fe Avenue and West North Street.
What are Salina Recycling Center’s hours?
The City currently lists Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except standard City holidays.
Is the Salina Recycling Center open Sunday?
No normal Sunday hours are listed by the City. Regular public hours are Wednesday through Saturday.
Who can use the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center?
The City describes SDRC as available to Salina and Saline County residents and small businesses.
Does Salina Recycling Center take cardboard?
Yes. Cardboard and pasteboard are accepted. Flatten them when possible and keep them clean and dry.
Does Salina Recycling Center accept glass?
Yes. The City accepts food and beverage glass containers in any color. Glass panes and windshields are not accepted through the normal SDRC stream.
Can I recycle electronics at SDRC?
Yes. Current City guidance describes year-round e-waste acceptance for many computers, audio/video devices, office equipment, gaming devices, cameras and small appliances.
Where do I take paint and lithium batteries in Salina?
Use the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 315 E. Elm St. for qualifying residential paint, lithium batteries, rechargeable batteries and other listed household hazardous materials.
How much does the Salina landfill charge in 2026?
For a secured load, the 2026 minimum is $12.50 per vehicle up to 500 lb. Secured loads of 500 lb. or more are $50 per ton. Unsecured-load rates are doubled.
Can Salina pick up furniture or bulky trash?
Yes. The City offers special trash pickup for qualifying bulky items. Current 2026 sanitation fees list $28.75 for the first 15 minutes for customers, with additional time charged separately.