NOTE:We do not accept any hazardous materials. This includes paint, chemicals, fuel, oil, and other auto fluids. Basically, if it is liquid, we do not accept it. The Riley County Hazardous Waste department is at Howie's every 2nd Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon to take these items.
Recycling Center Hours
Mon–Fri: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat: 8 a.m. to Noon
Scrap Purchasing
Mon–Fri: 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Sat: 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Howie's Scrap Yard
Mon–Fri: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sat: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Waste Disposal Guide
Enter a waste item below, and we'll tell you how to recycle or dispose of it.
Household Recyclables: What We Accept But DO NOT Buy
Glass
All colors of food or beverage glass. Does not need to be separated by color.
Cardboard
All old corrugated boxes, including cereal boxes and paper towel rolls. No milk or orange juice containers.
PETE #1 (Clear Plastic)
All bottles with #1 imprinted on the product. Examples are water and ketchup bottles. Generally clear, and you can see through it.
HDPE #2 (Natural)
All bottles with #2 imprinted on the product. An example is milk jugs. You can see through the material.
HDPE #2 (Colored)
All bottles with #2 imprinted on the product. An example is laundry detergent. It is a solid color, and you cannot see through the material.
Steel/Tin Cans
Food containers. Examples are containers for canned goods. Rule of thumb: A magnet will stick to it.
Office Paper
All paper out of an office. Color can be mixed.
Newspaper
All newsprint and colored ads may be recycled together.
Household Batteries
We accept all small household batteries.
E-Waste
Computers, printers, TVs, and all other types of electronics. TVs with CRT glass incur a charge ($40.00). There is no charge for flat-screen TVs and monitors—additional e-waste information.
Scrap Materials: What We Buy
A rule of thumb is if it is metal, it is recyclable. There are two basic metals—Ferrous (a magnet will stick to it) and Non-Ferrous (a magnet will not stick to it).
Ferrous Metals
Steel and Iron
A magnet will stick to it—examples: Clothes washer and dryer, hot-water heater, engine block, industrial iron, and metal.
Must have 100 lbs. or more to sell Steel and Iron.
Basic aluminum material with significant amounts of foreign material attached (such as screws, rubber, or steel attachments).
Aluminum Scrap (EXTRUDED)
Window frames with very little contamination.
Copper
Bare Bright
Also known as "bright and shiny" copper. It refers exclusively to bare, uncoated, and unalloyed wire or cable no thinner than 16 gauge in thickness.
#1 Copper Wire
Consists of bare wire that each strand is a minimum of 16 gauge with no insulation.
#1 Copper Pipe
Consists of copper tubing with little or no corrosion and no joints or fittings on the tubing.
#2 Copper
Consists of smaller than 16-gauge wire and tubing that are free of other material and have no corrosion or sweat joints.
Copper Sheet
Consists of copper that is a sheet material. Examples are guttering and flashing.
#1 Insulated Copper
Consists of insulated wire that each strand is a minimum of 16-gauge wire. The purchase price is based on the percentage of copper.
#2 Insulated Copper
Consists of insulated wire that each strand is smaller in diameter than 16-gauge wire. The purchase price is based on the percentage of copper.
ACSR
Insulated Aluminum wire that usually has a steel wire running through it for reinforcement.
Brass
Yellow Brass
This material has a yellow color to it when scraped or ground. Examples are faucets, drain pipes, and shut-off valves. Must be free of foreign material to be sold for a clean price.
Red Brass
This material has a red color to it when scraped off the ground. An example of this material is gate valves.
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Non-magnetic steel materials. Produces yellow marks when ground. Examples are kitchen sinks and other restaurant equipment. Must be free of foreign material to be sold for a clean price.
Radiators
Brass Copper Radiators
Older radiators made up of brass and copper. Must be free of iron to be sold for a clean price.
Copper Aluminum Radiators
Radiators made up of copper tubes and aluminum fins. Must be free of iron to be sold for a clean price.
Electric Motors
Electric Motors
Motors that have copper windings. An example would be household air conditioners.
Automotive Batteries
Auto Batteries
Lead-acid batteries used in cars and smaller vehicles/tractors. Must be stamped lead-acid. We do not accept gel cell batteries.
Aluminum Breakage
Aluminum Breakage
Aluminum with a high percentage of iron, typically over 5% iron. An example is engine blockheads. Price is based on the percentage of aluminum content.
Lead
Lead
Soft lead. Examples are old drainpipes and sheets used for covering. Not wheel weights.
Wheel Weights
Wheel Weights
Lead wheel weights used to balance wheels and tires.
Catalytic Converters
Auto part used in vehicle exhaust systems containing platinum beads. Price is dependent upon current market value.
Materials that We DO NOT Accept
Hazardous Waste: Paint, chemicals, fuel, oil, and other auto fluids
Solution: Riley County Hazard Waste is at Howie's every 2nd Saturday of the month to pick up these materials. Or you can drop them off at their facility at 6245 Tuttle Creek Blvd., Monday, Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Their phone number is (785) 539-3202.
Tires: All rubber tires
Solution: Riley County Transfer Station takes tires. They charge $4.00 to $17.00 per tire without rims. With rims is an additional $5.00 per tire. The Riley County Transfer Station is located at 1881 Henton Road, Manhattan, KS 66502, (785) 565-6290.
Styrofoam: Packing materials
Solution: Dispose of this material with your regular household trash.
Grocery Bags: Thin plastic bags
Solution: Reuse or return to grocery stores. Many have a collection point for used bags.
Plastics 3-7: Plastic bottles and containers
Solution: Dispose of these with your regular household trash.
