City of Whitefish to Permanently Close Central Recycling Site

The City currently operates a Central Recycling Site located at the corner of Columbia Avenue and Railway Street.  The Whitefish City Council  decided  to permanently close the Central Recycling Site as of January 31, 2022.

The site was opened in 2015 as a temporary location to consolidate the three existing neighborhood recycling sites and to streamline operations for North Valley Refuse (now Republic Services), the refuse contractor who provides recycling services for the City.  The property where the site is located is being repurposed for affordable housing.

City Council has considered several opportunities to continue to provide recycling services for the City.  Alternatives included a new Central Recycling Site on Monegan Road, as well as residential curbside recycling services.  Options for future recycling services will be further evaluated by the City Council, but it was determined the costs to continue to operate the existing site exceed the benefits of recycling during the final few months that the City has access to the property.

“The existing site has been plagued by contamination and overuse, and the proposed fees to continue the operation of the facility are not cost effective.  I believe permanent  closure of the current site is in the best interest of the City as we continue to pursue the best option to provide recycling services to our residents and business owners.” stated City Public Works Director Craig Workman.   

Recycling services will remain available to those interested through private vendors and county-operated drop off sites located throughout the valley.  For a full listing of recycling options you may visit:  

https://www.wastenotproject.org/recycle/#where_to_recycle

For Frequently Asked Questions concerning the Central Recycling Site closure see: /DocumentCenter/View/2617

Questions about the site closure may be directed to the Public Works Department (publicworks@cityofwhitefish.org, or 863-2460).