Waste Stream Reduction

GPS-Recycle Now

Private Recycling Companies

Waste Stream Reduction

Through composting, the City of Paducah is reducing the waste stream by more than 23%.  This diversion occurs from the yard waste as well as the biosolids from the wastewater treatment process.  Click Compost Facility for more information about the facility located on North 8th Street and the composting process. 

The City of Paducah also offers a corrugated cardboard recycling program for local businesses.  The cardboard is collected and recycled at the local Easter Seal Center.  This amounts to approximately a 3% reduction in our waste stream.

The combination of these recycling programs amounts to more than a 26% reduction in our waste stream. This surpasses the State's goals for reduction and recycling set in 1997 of 25%.

GPS-Recycle Now 

GPS-Recycle Now also provides recycling opportunities.  The GPS (Greater Paducah Sustainability) project is a local nonprofit organization focused on developing and implementing long term environmentally focused sustainable programs for the greater Paducah/McCracken County area through partnerships between communities, organizations, business, and government.  RecycleNow is the GPS initiative focused on the development and implementation of a long term sustainable recycling program within the City of Paducah and McCracken County with the ultimate goal of leading the Purchase Area’s commitment to the responsible and proper handling of all recyclable materials.  GPS-Recycle Now holds its collection events at its building at 1830 North 8th Street. 

2010  Summer Hours:  Open Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; and Saturday 8:00 a.m.-noon.  Phone:  (270)933-1049.

--Donation Form and List of Accepted Items--  

GPS-Recycle Now accepts

• All Plastic (except Styrofoam):  rinsed with caps removed.  Caps can be placed in with the plastic.  Bags should be separated as another item. 
• Glass Bottles and Jars:  rinsed with no lids (candles, ceramics, and Pyrex cannot be accepted)
• Aluminum Beverage Cans
• Metal Cans:  Steel or tin food cans and pet food cans
• Cardboard and Pasteboard:  Please bundle 
• Mixed Paper:  Please separate from cardboard.  Must be tied, boxed, bagged, or bundled.  Will accept newspapers, magazines, junk mail, cardboard, printer paper, books, phone books, shredded paper (please bag shredded paper to prevent spillage)
• E-Scrap:  Computers, monitors, other household electronics, cell phones, printer/copier ink/toner cartridges.
• All batteries will be accepted.
• TV's:  There is a fee of $10-small; $15-medium; and $20-large.
• Scrap Metal:  Ask first before bringing large items  

Please rinse cans and bottles.  Paper must be clean, dry, and bundled.  Separate your recyclable items into the different groups.  Use paper/plastic bags or boxes to help sort and carry the times. 

Private Recycling Companies

To find the recycling centers in any Kentucky county (including centers in McCracken County), click Kentucky Division of Waste Management.  Click Recycling Centers to link to a website that allows you to enter your zip code to find recycling centers in your region.  It also provides driving directions.  However, the list of local recycling centers is not as complete as what you will find on the Kentucky Division of Waste Management website.  Below is a summary of the information on the Kentucky Division of Waste Management website.  Please check with the facility for its hours and details of what it accepts.