Bloomington Recycling Center: Hours, Address & Sunday Schedule
Use this Bloomington Recycling Center guide before you load your vehicle. It explains the Southside Recycling Center address, South Walnut hours, Sunday closure, Monroe County drop-off locations, accepted paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metal, electronics, batteries, household hazardous waste, tires, bulky items, official calendar links and map directions in plain local language.
Bloomington-area Waste Reduction District centers list Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday or Tuesday-Saturday schedules, depending on location.
3400 S Walnut St Southside Southside page → South Walnut South Walnut page → All Locations Location list → WRD
Fast Answer for Bloomington, Indiana Residents
If you searched for Bloomington Recycling Center, the most common local match is the Monroe County Waste Reduction District system. In Bloomington, the main Southside Recycling Center is at 400 West Dillman Road, Bloomington, IN 47403. For hazardous waste, screens, tires, Freon appliances, paints, chemicals and many special items, the more important location is South Walnut at 3400 South Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN 47401.
The short Sunday answer is simple: no Sunday hours are listed for the Waste Reduction District recycling centers. South Walnut is listed Tuesday through Saturday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Southside, Westside, Northeast and Ellettsville are listed Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
On This Page
- Bloomington recycling center overview
- Quick facts before you drive
- Hours and address table
- Sunday schedule
- Which Bloomington location should you use?
- Accepted recycling items
- Household hazardous waste
- Electronics and screens
- Tires and fees
- Bulky items and trash
- Not accepted or special-route items
- Drive-up checklist
- Official links
- Map and directions
- FAQ
Bloomington Recycling Center Overview
Bloomington does not have only one recycling option. The Waste Reduction District of Monroe County runs multiple recycling and disposal centers around Bloomington and nearby Ellettsville. Southside at 400 West Dillman Road is a Bloomington recycling drop-off location, while South Walnut at 3400 South Walnut Street is the central location for expanded services and many special materials.
Normal recyclable items include dry paper and cardboard, clean rigid plastics marked 1 through 7, clean glass food and beverage bottles or jars, and clean metal such as food and beverage cans or scrap metal. Some items are accepted at all centers, while other items must go to South Walnut only.
Do not use the wrong center for hazardous waste. South Walnut handles full household hazardous waste categories such as household chemicals, flammable liquids, mercury items, fluorescent bulbs, many oils, Freon appliances, screens, propane tanks, aerosols and sharps. Rural locations handle a more limited set of items.
Quick Facts Before You Drive
| User Question | Best Answer | Action Link |
|---|---|---|
| Where is Bloomington Recycling Center? | The Southside Recycling Center is at 400 W Dillman Rd, Bloomington, IN 47403. | Map Southside |
| Where do special items go? | Use South Walnut at 3400 S Walnut St for full HHW, screens, Freon appliances, tires and many special materials. | Map South Walnut |
| Is it open Sunday? | No Sunday hours are listed. Use the correct weekday or Saturday schedule. | Sunday details |
| Can I bring plastic? | Rigid, clean, dry plastic containers marked 1 through 7 are accepted. Plastic film and Styrofoam are not accepted. | Plastic rules |
| Can I bring electronics? | Small electronics without screens are accepted at all locations. Screen items must go to South Walnut and can require a fee. | Electronics guide |
Bloomington Recycling Center Hours and Addresses
The hours depend on which center you need. Do not assume every Bloomington recycling location follows the same schedule. South Walnut is Tuesday through Saturday. The rural recycling centers, including Southside, Westside, Northeast and Ellettsville, are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
| Location | Address | Listed Hours | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southside Recycling Center | 400 West Dillman Road, Bloomington, IN 47403 | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday | 7:00 AM-6:00 PM | Normal recyclables and rural center services. Site is noted as a gravel lot. |
| South Walnut Recycling Center | 3400 South Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN 47401 | Tuesday-Saturday | 7:30 AM-5:30 PM | Main special-material location for HHW, screens, Freon appliances, tires and more. |
| Westside Recycling Center | 341 N. Oard Road, Bloomington, IN 47404 | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday | 7:00 AM-6:00 PM | Normal recyclables and rotating bulky-item months. |
| Northeast Recycling Center | 6015 E State Road 45, Bloomington, IN 47408 | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday | 7:00 AM-6:00 PM | Normal recyclables and rotating bulky-item months. |
| Ellettsville Recycling Center | 6200 N. Matthews Drive, Ellettsville, IN 47429 | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday | 7:00 AM-6:00 PM | Normal recyclables and rotating bulky-item months. |
Bloomington Recycling Center Sunday Schedule
The short answer: no Sunday hours are listed for Bloomington-area Waste Reduction District recycling centers. South Walnut is Tuesday through Saturday. Southside, Westside, Northeast and Ellettsville are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
If you searched “Bloomington recycling center Sunday,” plan your visit for Saturday instead. Saturday is listed at South Walnut and all rural recycling centers. Do not leave materials outside the gate, and do not assume a closed site can accept a load just because bins are visible.
Which Bloomington Recycling Location Should You Use?
The right location depends on the item. Many normal recyclables can go to any District recycling center. Special items, hazardous waste, screens and fee items often require South Walnut. This is where residents lose the most time, so choose before loading.
| Need | Best Location | Why | Watch Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metal | Any District recycling center | These are listed under all-locations accepted materials. | Items must be clean, dry, sorted correctly and not mixed with trash. |
| Household chemicals, paints, mercury, fluorescent bulbs | South Walnut only | The full HHW program is centered at South Walnut. | Do not mix chemicals. Keep containers labeled when possible. |
| Electronics without screens | All locations | Small electronics without screens can be accepted at all locations. | Screen items are different and must go to South Walnut. |
| TVs, monitors, mobile devices or other screens | South Walnut only | Screen items require extra processing and may have a per-item fee. | Do not bring screen items to Southside, Westside, Northeast or Ellettsville. |
| Tires | South Walnut only | The District lists tires at South Walnut with limits and fees. | Fees vary by tire type and whether it is on a rim. |
| Bulky items | Rotating rural center schedule | Bulky item disposal rotates by month across rural centers. | Arrive early; bin space is limited and acceptance is not guaranteed. |
Accepted Items at Bloomington Recycling Centers
All Monroe County Waste Reduction District recycling centers accept several core recycling categories. Materials should be clean, dry, and separated as posted. If a material is wet, dirty, mixed with food, bagged incorrectly, or placed in the wrong area, it can cause contamination.
| Category | Accepted Items | Prep Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Paper and Cardboard | White paper, mixed paper, wrapping paper, junk mail, magazines, catalogs, paper sacks, phonebooks, newspaper, cardboard and paperboard. | Must be dry. Flatten cardboard and keep paper away from food or liquid. |
| Plastic | Soda and water bottles, milk and juice jugs, clean food jars and tubs, laundry soap containers and other rigid plastic containers marked 1 through 7. | Must be rigid, clean and dry. No plastic film, bags, wraps or Styrofoam. |
| Glass | Food and beverage bottles, grocery store jars and mason jars. | Must be clean and dry. Remove lids. Labels are OK. No tempered glass. |
| Metal | Food and beverage cans; iron, steel, aluminum and copper scrap; dishwashers, dryers, stoves and microwaves. | Must be clean, emptied and detached. Appliances with Freon are South Walnut only. |
| Reusable Items | Useful household goods through Trading Posts where available. | Only bring items that are genuinely reusable and appropriate for exchange. |
| Limited HHW at all locations | Batteries, used motor oil and filters, and used antifreeze. | Other household hazardous waste goes to South Walnut only. |
Cardboard Recycling in Bloomington
Cardboard must be dry. Break boxes down before you leave home. Do not include wet cardboard, food-covered packaging, Styrofoam inserts, plastic wrap, or trash in cardboard recycling.
Plastic Recycling in Bloomington
The District accepts rigid, clean, dry plastic containers marked 1 through 7. Plastic film, plastic bags, plastic wrap and Styrofoam are not accepted. The container shape and cleanliness matter more than wishful recycling.
Household Hazardous Waste in Bloomington
Household hazardous waste is not the same as regular recycling. South Walnut accepts the full HHW program. The District lists household chemicals, oils, flammable liquids, propane tanks, aerosol cans, compressed gas cylinders, mercury items, fluorescent bulbs, paints, sharps, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and several other resident materials under special handling categories.
Small household batteries are accepted at all locations, but larger batteries such as laptop batteries and power supplies are preferred at South Walnut. Household chemicals, non-prescription medications, propane tanks, aerosols, compressed gas cylinders, mercury items and fluorescent lights are South Walnut-only items.
Electronics, TVs, Monitors and Screens
Electronics rules are split by screen status. Items with a battery or power cord and without a screen can be accepted at all locations. Items that contain a screen must be brought to South Walnut and require special processing. The District notes a per-item processing fee for screens 7 inches and larger.
Tires, Freon Appliances and Fee Items
Some Bloomington recycling-center items are accepted only with limits and fees. Tires are accepted from Monroe County residents at South Walnut only, with limits and different fees depending on tire type and whether the tire is on a rim. Freon appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers are also South Walnut-only items and require safe refrigerant recovery.
| Item | Location | Important Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | South Walnut only | Limited to Monroe County residents and a posted limit per visit. Fees vary by type and rim status. |
| Freon appliances | South Walnut only | Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers require safe recovery and a fee. |
| Electronic screens | South Walnut only | Screens 7 inches and larger require extra processing and may have a per-item fee. |
Bulky Items, Trash and Orange Bag Program
Free bulky item disposal is not available at every site every day. The District offers free bulky item disposal on a rotating basis at rural recycling centers. Examples of accepted bulky items include bathtubs, couches, dressers, mattresses, box springs, toilets, tables, furniture, large toys, swing sets, trampolines, pools and covers, plus some scrap-metal items.
Rules matter: no unloading assistance is available, businesses and commercial contractors are prohibited from using the free service, and bin space is limited. Arrive early and be ready for the District to accept or reject items based on space and rules.
Not Accepted or Special-Route Items
The biggest mistake is treating recycling centers as public dumps. Household trash, unsafe mixed loads, unknown liquids, contaminated materials, prescription medications, oxygen tanks, plastic film, Styrofoam, tempered glass and materials outside posted categories need another route or specific District guidance.
How to Prepare Before Visiting a Bloomington Recycling Center
- Choose the correct location. Use Southside for normal Bloomington recycling. Use South Walnut for full HHW, screens, Freon appliances, tires and special handling.
- Do not plan Sunday drop-off. No Sunday hours are listed. Use the posted weekday or Saturday schedule.
- Separate materials before leaving. Keep paper/cardboard, plastics, glass, metal, batteries, oil and special materials in separate containers.
- Keep recyclables clean and dry. Dry paper and cardboard. Rinse containers. Keep food waste, liquids and trash out.
- Remove plastic film and Styrofoam. Plastic film, bags, wraps and Styrofoam are not accepted with rigid plastic containers.
- Check fees for special items. Screens, Freon appliances and tires may require fees or limits at South Walnut.
- Check the calendar near holidays. The District posts holiday closures, bulky-item months and schedule changes on its calendar.
Official Bloomington Recycling Links
Bloomington Recycling Center Map and Directions
The map below points to the Southside Recycling Center at 400 West Dillman Road, Bloomington, IN 47403. Use this location for normal recycling drop-off. If your item is household hazardous waste, a screen, Freon appliance, tire, propane tank, mercury item or other special material, use South Walnut at 3400 South Walnut Street instead.
Map note: Recycling-Centre.org is an independent guide, not the official Monroe County Waste Reduction District website. Hours, accepted items, fees, holiday closures, bulky-item months and special handling rules can change. Always verify with the official District page before driving with a large, paid, hazardous, electronic, screen, tire, Freon appliance or questionable load.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bloomington Recycling Center
Where is Bloomington Recycling Center?
The Southside Recycling Center is at 400 West Dillman Road, Bloomington, IN 47403. The South Walnut Recycling Center, used for many special materials, is at 3400 South Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN 47401.
What are Bloomington Recycling Center hours?
Southside, Westside, Northeast and Ellettsville are listed Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. South Walnut is listed Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Is Bloomington Recycling Center open on Sunday?
No Sunday hours are listed for the Waste Reduction District recycling centers. Plan for the correct weekday or Saturday schedule.
Which Bloomington recycling location should I use?
Use any District recycling center for normal clean recyclables. Use South Walnut for full household hazardous waste, screens, Freon appliances, tires and many special materials.
What items are accepted at Bloomington recycling centers?
Accepted core items include dry paper and cardboard, rigid clean dry plastics marked 1 through 7, clean glass bottles and jars, clean metal cans and scrap metal, reusable goods and limited HHW such as batteries, used motor oil and antifreeze.
Does Bloomington Recycling Center accept plastic bags?
No. Plastic film, bags and wraps are not accepted with rigid plastic recycling. Styrofoam is also not accepted with plastic containers.
Where do electronics go in Bloomington?
Electronics without screens may be accepted at all locations. Items with screens, such as TVs, monitors and mobile devices, must go to South Walnut and may require a fee.
Does Bloomington Recycling Center accept household hazardous waste?
Full household hazardous waste is accepted at South Walnut only. Limited HHW items such as batteries, used motor oil and antifreeze are accepted at all locations.
Can I bring tires to Bloomington recycling center?
Tires are accepted from Monroe County residents at South Walnut only, with visit limits and fees. Check official fee details before driving.
Can I bring bulky items?
Free bulky item disposal is offered on a rotating basis at rural recycling centers. Accepted items and locations vary by month, and bin space is limited.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Bloomington recycling website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify hours, holiday closures, accepted items, fees and special handling rules with the Monroe County Waste Reduction District before visiting.
Final Local Summary
For most normal recycling in Bloomington, Indiana, use the Monroe County Waste Reduction District centers. The Southside Recycling Center is at 400 West Dillman Road and is listed Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 7 AM to 6 PM. South Walnut at 3400 South Walnut Street is listed Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and is the main location for special materials.
Do not plan a Sunday visit because no Sunday hours are listed. Bring clean, dry and separated materials. Use South Walnut for full household hazardous waste, screens, Freon appliances, tires, chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, mercury items, propane tanks and many special-route items. Check the District calendar before holiday visits or bulky-item trips.