Auburn Community Recycling Center: Today’s Hours, Fees
Use this Auburn Community Recycling Center guide before you load your car. It explains today’s 24-hour drop-off access, the temporary 640 Mary Brooks Drive location, accepted recyclables, glass rules, cooking oil recycling, electronics appointment guidance, HHW event fees, document shredding, curbside pickup help, map directions and official City of Auburn links.
City guidance lists the temporary Recycling Drop-Off Center at 640 Mary Brooks Drive as open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round.
Auburn, AL Office (334) 501-3080 Email webenvirsvc@auburnal.gov Official City of Auburn → AU
Fast Answer for Auburn Residents
The Auburn Community Recycling Center most residents are looking for is the City of Auburn Recycling Drop-Off Center. It has temporarily moved to 640 Mary Brooks Drive during Boykin Donahue Campus construction, and the City lists the center as open 24 hours a day, year-round.
For normal accepted household recyclables, the official city pages do not show a public drop-off fee. That does not mean every item is free or accepted. Household hazardous waste is handled at special free events for Auburn residents, electronics require special handling and sometimes an appointment, and televisions or computer monitors have a different disposal path.
On This Page
- Auburn Community Recycling Center overview
- Today’s hours
- Fees and free services
- Temporary location and future move
- Accepted recyclables
- Items not accepted
- Glass recycling
- Cooking oil and grease recycling
- Electronics and computer recycling
- Household hazardous waste events
- Curbside recycling and pickup schedule
- Before-you-drive checklist
- Official links
- Map and directions
- FAQ
Auburn Community Recycling Center Overview
The City of Auburn Recycling Drop-Off Center gives residents a place to recycle even when they are not eligible for curbside recycling or when they have materials that need a drop-off option. Auburn’s official page says the city introduced curbside recycling in 1987 and established the drop-off center in 1999 to provide recycling access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The most important current-location detail is that the Recycling Drop-Off Center has temporarily moved to 640 Mary Brooks Drive during the Boykin Donahue Campus project. After construction is complete, Auburn says the center will move to a new location on North Donahue Drive across the street from the former location.
Auburn Community Recycling Center Today’s Hours
For normal recycling drop-off, today’s hours are simple: the City lists the Recycling Drop-Off Center as open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. That makes it useful for early morning, evening and weekend drop-offs, as long as you are bringing accepted materials and following the posted rules at the site.
| Service | Hours / Schedule | Location / Contact | Important Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recycling Drop-Off Center | 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round | Temporary location: 640 Mary Brooks Drive | Use for accepted recyclables only. |
| Environmental Services office | Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM-4:30 PM | 4277 Wire Road, Suite 100; 334-501-3080 | Call for carts, appointments, questions and unusual items. |
| Curbside recycling | Same day as garbage collection | Use your address schedule / Auburn GIS map | Place cart out the night before or no later than 6 AM. |
| HHW Collection Day | Spring and fall event days | Environmental Services Complex, 4277 Wire Road, Suite 100 | Free Auburn resident event; proof of residency and limits apply. |
| Document shredding event | Spring and fall event days | Environmental Services Complex | Next listed event: October 10, 2026, 9 AM-1 PM. |
Auburn Community Recycling Center Fees
For accepted recyclables at the Recycling Drop-Off Center, Auburn’s official garbage and recycling pages do not show a posted public drop-off fee. That is good for residents, but it is not permission to bring every material. The “fee” question becomes different when the item is hazardous waste, electronics, trash, televisions, monitors, commercial material or something outside the regular recycling stream.
| Item / Service | Fee Status | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted drop-off recyclables | No posted public drop-off fee found on official city recycling pages | Bring only accepted materials and follow site sorting rules. |
| Household Hazardous Waste event | Listed as free for Auburn residents | Participation is limited to Auburn residents; proof of residency and 20-pound limit apply. |
| Electronics, not TVs/monitors | Appointment required; call first | Accepted electronics need special handling. Do not drop them without checking. |
| Televisions and computer monitors | Different route | City FAQ says place TVs or computer monitors at curbside with other trash. |
| Cooking oil / grease | Drop-off recycling program available | Use a sealed container; city provides recycling jugs at the center. |
| Commercial, farm or industrial hazardous waste | Not permitted at Auburn HHW event | Use a proper commercial disposal route. |
Auburn Recycling Center Location: Temporary 640 Mary Brooks Drive
The current important address is 640 Mary Brooks Drive, Auburn, Alabama. The city states the Recycling Drop-Off Center has temporarily moved there during construction of the Boykin Donahue Campus project, expected to finish in fall 2026. Once construction is complete, the center is expected to move to a new North Donahue Drive location across from the former site.
Accepted Items at Auburn Community Recycling Center
The drop-off center accepts the normal recyclables collected as part of Auburn’s curbside recycling program, plus additional drop-off items listed by the city. Keep recyclables clean, dry and sorted as directed at the center. Do not use the center for garbage, hazardous waste or random hard plastic objects that are not accepted containers.
| Category | Accepted | Preparation Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic containers | Plastics #1-#7, including bottles and food containers | Rinse and clean. No plastic bags, no plastic straws and no toys. |
| Cans | Aluminum cans and steel/tin cans | Rinse and clean. Crushing cans helps but is not required. |
| Paper | Newspaper, magazines, office paper, junk mail and mixed paper | Keep dry. No soiled or wet newspaper. |
| Cardboard | Flattened cardboard | Break down boxes before drop-off. |
| Glass | Glass accepted at the Recycling Drop-Off Center | Separate by color where instructed and keep items clean. |
| Special drop-off items | Transistor batteries up to size D, cell phones, cooking grease/oil, magazines/telephone books and mixed office paper | No automobile or marine batteries at the normal drop-off center. |
Items Not Accepted in Regular Auburn Recycling
Auburn’s single-stream recycling rules say no glass, plastic bags, plastic straws, Styrofoam or any other non-accepted material should go in the blue curbside recycling cart. Glass is different because the city says it can be recycled at the Recycling Drop-Off Center. For hard-to-dispose items, do not guess—use the right official route.
Glass Recycling in Auburn
Glass is the item that creates the most confusion. Auburn’s single-stream curbside recycling page says glass is not accepted in the blue curbside recycling cart, but glass can be recycled at the Recycling Drop-Off Center at 640 Mary Brooks Drive. That means residents should keep glass out of the curbside blue cart and take clean glass to the drop-off center instead.
Cooking Oil and Grease Recycling in Auburn
Auburn has a cooking oil and grease recycling station at the Recycling Drop-Off Center at 640 Mary Brooks Drive. The city says residents can pick up an empty container at the center and return it when full. Used cooking oil should never be poured down a drain because it can clog plumbing and the city sewer system.
Let oil cool, pour it into a sealed leak-proof container or city recycling jug, and take it to the drop-off station. Do not put loose cooking oil in the garbage, recycling cart or storm drain.
Electronics, Computers, TVs and Monitors
Auburn’s recycling FAQ says computer equipment and electronics that are not televisions or monitors may be recycled, but an appointment must be made because these items require special handling. For electronics appointments, contact Environmental Services at 334-501-3080.
| Electronics Item | Accepted Route | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Computer towers / laptops / parts | Appointment recycling | Call first because special handling is required. |
| Cell phones | Drop-off / electronics route | Remove personal data when possible. |
| Keyboards, mice, cords and cables | Appointment electronics recycling | Keep cords bundled to prevent tangles. |
| Gaming systems, cameras, telephones, Wi-Fi equipment | Appointment electronics recycling | Call Environmental Services before drop-off. |
| Televisions and computer monitors | Curbside with other trash according to city FAQ | Do not bring as regular electronics recycling without checking first. |
Before recycling computers, phones, laptops or cameras, back up files, sign out of accounts, remove memory cards and wipe data when possible. Recycling handles the device; it does not automatically protect personal data.
Auburn Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
Auburn’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is not the same thing as 24/7 recycling drop-off. The city hosts HHW Collection Days in spring and fall at the Environmental Services Complex, 4277 Wire Road, Suite 100. These events give Auburn residents a way to drop off hazardous materials that are illegal to dispose of during weekly garbage collection.
The city lists Fall 2026 HHW Collection Day on October 10, 2026. HHW events are free for Auburn residents, but they are limited to Auburn residents, proof of residency can be shown by bringing a recent water bill, and residents may bring up to 20 pounds of material per household.
| Accepted HHW Examples | Not Accepted at HHW Event | Resident Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesives, aerosol cans, ammonia, antifreeze, bleach, brake fluids, car batteries, dry cell batteries, gasoline, kerosene, paints, pesticides, solvents, used engine oil, varnishes, stains and similar listed items. | Ammunition, explosives, fire extinguishers, flares, gun powder, radioactive waste, smoke detectors, DEA-regulated substances, unknown gas cylinders, unknown materials and unstable wastes. | Auburn residents only, recent water bill for proof, 20-pound household limit, no farm, commercial or industrial waste. |
Curbside Recycling and Pickup Schedule
For residents who subscribe to Auburn’s garbage service, recycling is collected curbside on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day. Auburn’s FAQ says recyclables should be placed out the night before collection or no later than 6 AM on the scheduled collection day.
If you need a blue recycling cart, Auburn says eligible city residential solid waste customers can fill out the recycle request form or call Environmental Services at 334-501-3080. Place your blue cart a few feet away from trash and garbage and within three feet from the roadway.
Before-You-Drive Checklist
- Confirm you are going to the right location. Normal recycling drop-off is temporarily at 640 Mary Brooks Drive. HHW and shredding events are at 4277 Wire Road, Suite 100.
- Keep curbside-only rules separate from drop-off rules. Glass does not go in the blue curbside cart, but it can be recycled at the drop-off center.
- Flatten cardboard. Break down boxes so the recycling area stays usable for everyone.
- Rinse containers. Clean aluminum cans, steel/tin cans and plastic containers before recycling.
- Keep problem items out. Plastic bags, plastic straws, Styrofoam, toys and hazardous waste do not belong in normal recycling.
- Call before bringing electronics. Electronics that are not TVs or monitors require special handling and an appointment.
- Use HHW events for chemicals. Paints, fuels, pesticides, car batteries and similar hazardous materials belong at HHW Collection Day, not 24/7 drop-off.
Official Auburn Recycling Links and Resident Tools
Auburn Community Recycling Center Map and Directions
The map below points to the temporary Auburn Recycling Drop-Off Center location at 640 Mary Brooks Drive. Use the official City of Auburn page for the latest location update because the center is expected to move again after the Boykin Donahue Campus construction project is complete.
Independent guide note: Recycling-Centre.org is not the official City of Auburn website. Hours, addresses, event dates, accepted items and special handling rules can change. Always verify with official Auburn pages before driving with electronics, hazardous waste, large loads or unusual materials.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auburn Community Recycling Center
Where is the Auburn Community Recycling Center?
The City of Auburn Recycling Drop-Off Center is temporarily located at 640 Mary Brooks Drive during Boykin Donahue Campus construction. After construction, the city says it will move to a new North Donahue Drive location.
What are today’s hours for Auburn Community Recycling Center?
The city lists the Recycling Drop-Off Center as open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round.
Is there a fee to use Auburn’s recycling drop-off center?
For accepted recyclable drop-off items, the official city recycling pages do not show a posted public drop-off fee. Special items, electronics, HHW and non-recycling materials follow separate rules.
What items are accepted at the Auburn recycling drop-off center?
Accepted items include curbside recyclables such as plastics #1-#7, aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, newspaper, flattened cardboard, magazines, mixed office paper and junk mail, plus listed drop-off items such as glass, cell phones, cooking oil/grease and certain small batteries.
Can I recycle glass in Auburn?
Yes, but not in the blue curbside recycling cart. Auburn says glass can be recycled at the Recycling Drop-Off Center at 640 Mary Brooks Drive.
Can I put plastic bags in Auburn recycling?
No. Auburn’s recycling guidance says no plastic bags are accepted in the regular recycling program.
Can I recycle electronics at Auburn Community Recycling Center?
Some electronics that are not televisions or computer monitors may be recycled, but an appointment is required because these items need special handling. Call Environmental Services at 334-501-3080.
Where do TVs and computer monitors go in Auburn?
Auburn’s recycling FAQ says televisions and computer monitors should be placed curbside for collection along with other trash, not brought as regular electronics recycling.
Where do I take household hazardous waste in Auburn?
Use Auburn’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day events at the Environmental Services Complex, 4277 Wire Road, Suite 100. Events are free for Auburn residents, with proof of residency and a 20-pound household limit.
Where can I recycle cooking oil in Auburn?
Auburn has a cooking oil and grease recycling station at the Recycling Drop-Off Center at 640 Mary Brooks Drive. Use a sealed container and do not pour oil down the drain.
How do I find my Auburn curbside recycling day?
Auburn says recycling is collected on the same day as garbage. Use the city pickup schedule tools, Auburn GIS maps or call Environmental Services at 334-501-3080.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Auburn recycling website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent guide. Always verify current hours, location changes, event dates and accepted items with the official City of Auburn website.
Final Local Summary
For everyday accepted recycling in Auburn, use the temporary Recycling Drop-Off Center at 640 Mary Brooks Drive. The city lists it as open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. Bring clean accepted recyclables, keep glass out of the curbside blue cart, flatten cardboard, rinse containers and keep plastic bags, straws and Styrofoam out of recycling.
For electronics, call Environmental Services before drop-off. For household hazardous waste, use official HHW Collection Day events at 4277 Wire Road. For curbside recycling schedules, use Auburn’s address tools or call the city office. If an item is questionable, do not leave it at the 24/7 site—verify first.