Our recycling robot naming contest may be over (entries closed April 12th, 2024), but the excitement is still buzzing! We’re absolutely floored by the incredible response we received. A huge thank you to each and every student who submitted a name for our hard-working recycling robots. From the kindergartners to the 5th graders, your ideas were overflowing with imagination! Our team is currently on a mission to review every single entry. It’s a tough job, though, because there are so many amazing names to choose from. We wouldn’t want to miss a single brilliant suggestion! Don’t worry, the s ..read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sioux Falls Recycling Company Marks 25th Anniversary during Earth Month! Millennium Recycling Celebrates 25 Years SIOUX FALLS, S.D., April 11, 2024 – This month, Millennium Recycling, Inc. celebrates a significant milestone – its 25th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1999, Millennium has emerged as a pioneering force in the recycling industry, processing approximately 100 million pounds of recyclables annually from communities spanning South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and beyond. Over the past quarter-century, Millennium has continuously pushed boundarie ..read more

Have you ever stopped to think about what happens to all the trash you toss in the bin? Most of it ends up in landfills, massive dumps that can grow to be the size of entire towns. While out of sight might seem out of mind, a recent study published in the New York Times revealed a hidden danger lurking beneath these mountains of waste: methane gas. This invisible enemy, produced by decomposing organic materials like food scraps, is a potent greenhouse gas with over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. The problem? Landfills are emitting methane at almost three ..read more

At Millennium Recycling, we’re all about giving things a second chance, and that’s exactly what our amazing President, Shannon Dwire, embodies! We’re thrilled to share that Shannon was recently recognized at the SME Women of Excellence Awards event. This year’s event celebrated 77 incredible women making a positive impact in our community. Shannon’s career path is a true testament to hard work and perseverance. Over 25 years, she’s climbed the ranks, starting from a temporary position and ultimately becoming the company’s President. In a field often dominated by men, Shannon’s journey is a po ..read more

When food gets in the recycling bin, it’s bad for the process and bad for other recyclable material it can contaminate. Prevent food from getting in the waste stream: Empty & Clean Rule – Follow the “empty and clean” rule when recycling. It doesn’t have to be spotless, but use your best judgement. Dump any liquids give it a quick rinse and swirl if any food is left — the cleaner the better. You can recycle plastic bottles, tubs and jugs, glass bottles and jars, paper, cardboard, and metal cans. You can also recycle aluminum baking trays- but they MUST be clean of food! See the full yes li ..read more

Do you know what you can put in your recycling bin this Christmas? Learn if your holiday waste is naughty or nice on our Holiday Recycling and Waste Guide PAper greeting cards Greeting cards and envelopes made of paper are usually okay to recycle. If they are covered in glitter or made from photo paper, those cannot be recycled. Don’t worry about removing the stamp from the envelope either. Recyclable Gift Wrap: Paper wrapping paper (no “shine”, glitter or foils) Paper tissue paper (no “shine”, glitter or foils) Brown paper Newspaper Large sheets of craft paper Non Recyclable Gift ..read more

Shopping Waste Whether you’re shopping at the store or online, follow this recycling guide for all the packaging, tags and receipts: Shopping Bags “Rip-Able” Paper Shopping Bags RECYCLE! Do the “rip-test”. If you can rip the paper bag, place in your mixed recycling bin. Remove any string or twine handles first.   “Non-Rip-Able” Paper Shopping Bags KEEP OUT! Do the “rip-test”. If you can’t rip the bag it’s probably laminated with a layer of plastic. Reuse if you can but do NOT place in your mixed recycling bin.   Plastic Shopping Or Grocery Bags KEEP OUT! NOT rec ..read more

Do you ever wonder why some items get the recycling green light while others don’t? Learn how we come up with the recycling “Yes List” and why it’s important to follow in your #SiouxFalls bin. See all podcasts here ..read more

Learn about the mystery of the disappearing recyclables ending up in the landfill and what we can do about it in #SiouxFalls. See all podcasts here ..read more

The numbers are in! Millennium shipped out a total of 1,875 semi loads full of recyclables in 2023! What Impact Did We Make Together? 1. Support Local & Regional Economy: The impact of recycling reached beyond our MRF, supporting local and regional businesses in producing new products from recycled materials. This not only strengthens our economy but also reduces dependence on foreign imports. 2. Job Creation These recyclables created various jobs throughout the entire process. From local haulers collecting recyclables and our team sorting and processing at our Material Recovery Facility ..read more