Recycling and Resource Management

Madison County Resource Management is accepting FY2024 Environmental Grant Applications
Effective 11/17/2023

The Madison County Resource Management Program, under the guidance of the County Board’s Building & Zoning Committee, is announcing a request for proposals for environmental projects.  This grant program is designed to assist units of local government with environmental objectives and projects including solid waste management, air quality initiatives, energy efficiencies, smart growth, and stormwater abatement.  The goal of the program is to promote best management practices and case studies of positive environmental projects within Madison County.

FY2024 Grant Application.

You may apply online by clicking here.

Please click here for additional information.


Madison County to host its 27th year of Christmas Tree Recycling
Effective 12/1/23

In coordination with Madison County Building & Zoning, townships and municipalities throughout the county are providing 31 drop-off sites for residents to dispose of their Christmas trees.

The Christmas Tree Recycling Program has operated successfully for the past 27 years in Madison County. The recycled trees are chipped into mulch and used in public gardens and parks across the community. 

Rather than toss the tree in the trash, take it to a recycling location. Trees will be accepted from Dec. 26 through Jan. 14, 2024. All lights and ornaments must be removed prior to drop-off. Pine wreaths, pine roping, or other landscape waste is prohibited.

View list of Recycling Locations.

Christmas Tree Recycling Picture - Copy



Where can I recycle the following?

Basic materials: For those who do not have access to curbside recycling services, items such as paper, glass, plastics, and metals can be recycled in drop-off stations.

Drop-off stations can be found in the following locations:

  • Edwardsville: 2500 Troy Road, Home Depot parking lot, serviced Monday through Friday. NOTE: This container is not available on weekends and is removed from the location at 10 a.m. on Fridays.
  • Alton: 400 Piasa St., downtown Alton across from the federal building, serviced Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
  • **Collinsville: Collinsville Activity Center at 10 Gateway Drive Parking Lot, serviced Monday and Thursday.
  • Hamel: 403 Old US Route 66, Located at the Township maintenance shed and Hamel Community Fire Protection District Office, serviced Tuesdays and Fridays.
  • Marine: 630 W Leopold St., Off Leopold, behind Marine Township Highway Garage, just past Vernon, serviced Tuesdays and Fridays.
  • Maryville: 8 Schiber Court, Off Vadalabene, by Drost Park, Public Works Department, and Community Library, serviced Mondays and Thursdays.
  • New Douglas: 8363 East Frontage Road, Across I-55 from the Pink Elephant Antique Mall, off Alhambra Road, serviced Tuesdays & Fridays.
**Effective 10/4/23 - New Location**

Find a location near you! - Copy (2) - Copy  Find a Recycling Station near you!

An interactive map of the recycling drop-off locations can be found
here – GIS Viewer 


Where do I recycle plastic bags and wraps?

What materials can I recycle through curbside service?

Curbside Service:
Materials accepted in curbside bins vary depending on the hauler. For residents whose recycling services are provided by Republic Services, a PDF of accepted materials can be found here

Other recycling questions? Contact Brandon Banks at 618.296.5237 or email recycling@madisoncountyil.gov.

Where can I recycle materials NOT allowed through curbside service?

Plastic Bags and Wraps: Click here to visit the drop-off directory at Plastic Film Recycling.org.

Christmas Trees: Click here for a list of locations that offer seasonal Christmas tree drop-offs for residents.

Household Hazardous Waste: click here for information on Madison County's next HHW collection.

Electronic Recycling (E-Waste): click here for information on Madison County's next E-Waste Collection.

Asbestos:  click here for the handling and disposal guide covering the dangers of handling, identifying, and removing asbestos properly.

Other items not listed:
If you are unable to find information on the items you wish to recycle listed on the Madison County Recycling Resource List, try Earth 911’s searchable database to find the nearest collection location.


About Madison County Recycling and Resource Management
What is the purpose of Madison County Recycling and Resource Management?

The purpose of the recycling and resource management program is to improve the quality of life for Madison County residents, businesses, schools, and local governments through programs that foster healthy, resilient, connected communities.

Madison County is a regional leader in recycling and resource management initiatives. Our innovative programs have received great success in recent years and we continue to build on them.

The program serves Madison County communities through a wide range of strategies that promote wise use of resources and awareness of solid waste-related issues and options. These practices result in healthier communities, reduced waste, and cost savings for all members of the county and metro-east region. This approach helps residents make informed choices that contribute to a greater quality of life for those who live and work in Madison County and serve to attract an increased number of potential new residents and businesses.
Madison County Recycling and Resource Management Initiatives
How does Madison County manage solid waste?
State and local laws mandate that a minimum of 25% of the entire solid waste stream be recycled. To satisfy these mandates, Madison County Resource Management facilitates solid waste disposal and supplementary options such as recycling and composting in the county.

Today more than 35% of all household trash in Madison County is recycled, while the state’s rate is about 37%. Within Madison County government buildings, more than 85% of waste is recycled. These numbers continue to increase as the county works toward a goal of zero waste in the future.

Not only does recycling divert materials out of the landfills, thereby helping Madison County meet the state-mandated 25% diversion rate, but it also promotes jobs in our county and provides commerce.

Primary functions of Recycling and Resource Management initiatives include:

Waste & Recycling Haulers: Managing the issuance and enforcement of certifications for county waste and recycling haulers.

County-wide Recycling Drop-off Locations: The department funds six drop-off recycling stations throughout Madison County so that residents without curbside recycling have a place to take their recyclable materials.
 
Recycling Resources & Hotline: Resources regarding how to safely and properly dispose of items not accepted in the curbside or drop-off bins.

Medication Collection and Recycling:
Old and unused medications are collected and recycled to protect water quality and preserve public safety. With the assistance of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the Building & Zoning Department funds the collection and recycling of medications at local police departments.

Community Clean-ups & Collections: Special free recycling events reduce the problem of illegal and roadside dumping within the county. These include community clean-ups, disposal of electronic waste and tires, and Christmas trees, among others.

General Composting: Download your Composting Fact Sheet courtesy of Madison County's Green Schools Program.

Pumpkin Purge Community Composting Program:
Part of a state-wide initiative, the pumpkin composting program provides an opportunity to drop off old pumpkins and gourds for composting which, in turn, keeps them out of local landfills. 


Support for Madison County Communities
How does Recycling and Resource Management support local communities?

Resource Management Grants:
Supports units of local government with solid waste management, air quality initiatives, energy efficiencies, smart growth, and stormwater projects.

Green Cities Challenge:
Sponsors local municipalities’ participation in the Green Cities Challenge to foster incorporation of thoughtful policies and practices within local government operations. In 2015, Alton and Highland participated, while in 2016, Granite City joined the two other communities. In 2019, Madison County grew the program to six communities in the challenge, including Alton, Collinsville, Granite City, Glen Carbon, Godfrey, and Edwardsville. In 2024 the city of Highland rejoined the challenge making a total of seven participating municipalities.

Internship Program:
Works with local Universities to provide ongoing education in a real-world setting.

Public Outreach & Engagement:
Providing additional information on a wide range of issues allows residents to understand and address issues within their own neighborhoods and take part in land use processes. Several educational formats exist including:

  • OneSTL: In 2019, Building & Zoning began a bi-state partnership with OneSTL in efforts to plan for sustainable development that includes a vision, goals, and objectives that outline a positive future for our communities. In 2024, Madison will continue its partnership with OneSTL. Learn more about our partnership here.
  • Public Presentations: Building & Zoning staff are available to provide talks to local schools, clubs and organizations.
  • Newsletters & Informational Handouts: A department-wide Monthly Report along with other informational fliers, brochures, and newsletters convey timely information about events, programs and statistics provided by the department. To see past reports, click here. To be added to the recipient list for updates contact Recycling and Resource Management Coordinator, Brandon Banks at 618-296-5237.
  • Local Events: Providing support, planning, and participation in a number of regional and state-wide events.


Green Schools Program

How does Recycling and Resource Management support quality of life for students and children?

The award-winning Green Schools Program supports over 50 public, private and parochial schools within the county and impacts over 30,000 students to create resource-efficient schools that educate students about maintaining and promoting a healthy community. To find out more about the Madison County Green Schools Program, click here.

Long-term Planning
How is Madison County planning for the future? 

Madison County Building & Zoning is completing a county-wide resource management plan that addresses best management practices ranging from air quality, to ecological health, to growth of green businesses.
Intra-government Resource Management
How does Madison County practice recycling and resource management within its own organization? 

Recycling and Resource Management works in cooperation with other county departments to provide a variety of wise use initiatives including:

County Building Recycling: Numerous options exist for staff to recycle an assortment of materials used in day to day operations. There are also opportunities for the public to drop off materials such as eye glasses and shoes. Contact Recycling and Resource Management at (618) 296-5237. Click here to view the visual guide to Madison County building recycling. 

St. Louis Green Business Challenge & County Green Team: The Madison County Green Team was started as part of the St. Louis Regional Green Business Challenge and includes representatives from multiple county departments. The team continues to develop the in-house resource management strategy including improvements to the County’s ongoing recycling efforts, options for energy efficiency, a green purchasing policy, and general resource management that will save both money and meet objectives.

Contact Information:

Brandon Banks
Resource Management Coordinator
Phone: (618) 296-5237
Email: blbanks@madisoncountyil.gov
157 N. Main Street, Suite 254 
Edwardsville, IL 62025


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