Reuse & Recycle
Food and yard waste can take up as much as 30% of your trash bin, but in Montana less than 1% of garbage is currently composted. By starting to compost at home, you can greatly reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emmissions while creating a nutrient-rich additive that will improve the health of your yard, garden, plants, and trees without the need for chemical fertilizers.
Starting Is Simple
Starting an at-home compost pile is simple! Those interested in seeing demonstration compost sites in-person can visit the WasteNot Compost Demonstration Garden at the Flathead Valley Community College Campus. For online resources and information, check out our Composting Research (PDF).
City Program Interest
The City of Whitefish is considering a composting pilot program in which there could be a central drop-off location for residential compost. The results of a 2019 Community Survey (PDF) indicate there is interest in participating in such a program.
The facility will require bear-proof fencing based on direction from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the City is working to accomplish this.
Dirt Rich Compost
In the meantime, you can subscribe to Dirt Rich Compost for residential and commercial compost pick-up services.
The Fix-It Brochure (PDF) provides a list of local repair-people for upholstery, appliances, musical instruments and tools. It also includes a list of online Do-it-Yourself (DIY) repair guides.
Curb-Side Recycling
Republic Services
Republic Services provides curb-side recycling in Whitefish. The recycling materials which can all be recycled with this curb-side service include:
- Aluminum and tin cans
- Number 1 and Number 2 plastic bottles and jugs
- Newspapers
- Magazines
For more information or to obtain services, contact Republic Services by phone at 406-862-4381 or visit the Republic Services website.
Drop Off Recycling
The City’s central drop off location is at the northwest corner of Columbia Avenue and Railway Street. There are separate bins for:
- Plastic bottles and jugs, tin and aluminum cans
- Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- Office paper, newspaper, and mail
1. Metal & Plastic
- Aluminum cans
- Plastic Number 1 and Number 2 bottles and jugs only (please remove all lids)
- Tin cans
Very Important
- No plastic bags of any kind (not even Number 2 bags)
- No plastic clam shells (i.e., berry or tomato containers, plastic egg cartons)
- No small items; they get tangled or stuck in the sorting machines
2. Cardboard
- Brown paper bags
- Corrugated cardboard
- Paper board such as cereal boxes
- Paper egg cartons
Very Important
No waxed cardboard and no pizza boxes, as they gum up the machinery. Thank you.
3. Paper
- Brochures
- Envelopes
- Junk mail
- Magazines
- Newspapers and inserts
- Office paper
No brown paper, no mixed packing materials, no plastic bags.
Glass
Flathead Recon offers periodic glass recycling events in partnership with local non-profit groups. Check the Flathead Recon website for drop-off location and dates.
The Recycle Brochure (some outdated information) (PDF) provides a list of public recycling drop-off locations, information about curbside pickup and what is recyclable, and where to recycle hazardous materials like batteries and light bulbs.
Refill Not Landfill
Climate Smart Glacier Country and the City of Whitefish are partnering to support the use of reusable water bottles through an initiative called Refill Not Landfill.
To see the locations where you can refill your reusable water bottle in Whitefish, Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Glacier National Park, view the Refill Not Landfill flyer, or visit the Climate Smart Glacier Country website.
Keep plastic out of our landfills and stay hydrated this summer!