City of Columbia hosts recycling drop-off event Saturday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia residents will be able to drop off glass and other recyclables Saturday during a city recycling drop-off event.

According to City of Columbia Solid Waste, acceptable materials include:

• 1 or 2 plastic bottles and containers with screw-on lids
• Aluminum and metal cans
• Glass bottles and jars
• Cardboard, newspaper and office paper

Since the city's recycling center was destroyed by the April 2025 tornado, recycling facilities have been limited, with the city pausing drop-off centers indefinitely and no longer accepting certain recyclables like glass or plastic clamshell packaging.

The center is operational, but doesn't have a cover structure to protect absorbent materials and the machinery, so processing depends on weather conditions. In December 2025, the city approved construction for a new recycling site.

City officials add that they hope for a structure to be built by the beginning of 2028.

Saturday's event will take place at the Grissum Building on Lakeview Street from 8 a.m. to noon. Residents are encouraged to enter from the east Lakeview Avenue entrance.