Guidelines for Sustainability Practices
Personal Sustainability Guide
The following is a division of household waste materials by how they are generated, with a discussion of how to dispose of them.
This is dated material. Check every site you intend to use before proceeding restrictions, availability, and potential fees. We do not warrant any of this information or status of any applicable legal restrictions.
A. Household Waste
Food/Organic Waste
Separate Food Waste
Use a drain strainer. This will also reduce wear and tear on your garbage disposal
Dump food waste in a small garbage bucket.
Periodically dump bucket into a compost company five-gallon bucket
Dump other compostable materials (dinner ware, small organic garden waste) in compost bucket.
Disposal Locations:
Compost Companies:
Yes Compost, 215 Arden Drive, #31, Belgrade, MT 59714
406-219-7011
Happy Trash Can, 2143 Story Mill Rd., Bozeman, MT 59715 406-570-0896
Alternatives:
Prepare your own compost pile. Advice: see "Spring/Summer 2026 Water Smart Planting Guide for the Bozeman Area," page 7, "DIY Composting: A Simple Guide", (www.bozemanwater.com).
2. Recyclable Material
a. Glass. Separate out glass containers, removing lids.
Self-Disposal Locations:
Four Corners Recycling, 357 Recycling Way, off Jack Rabbit Road. No fee.
Disposal Services:
Gone Green, https://gonegreenmontana.com/
Paper, cardboard, steel, tin and aluminum cans and #1 and #2 plastic. Separate out.
Disposal Services:
Republic Recycling, 8600 Huffine Lane, Bozeman, 406-586-0606
L & L Site Services, 100 Russell Lane, Belgrade, MT 59714, 406-388-7171.
Self-Disposal Locations:
Four Corners Recycling, 357 Recycling Way, 406-220-6701.
Bozeman Convenience Site (Gallatin Solid Waste Management District), 2143 Story Mill Rd., Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-587-7890.
“MSU bins” (Montana State University campus), Deer Street parking lot off West College, https://www.gallatinsolidwaste.org/drop-off-bins
Logan Landfill, 10585 Two Dog Rd., Manhattan, MT 59741, 406-582-2495.
Other plastic food wrappers, bubble wrap, grocery and shopping plastic bags. Separate out.
Disposal Services:
Ridwell Services, ridwell.com
Self-Disposal:
Bozeman Convenience Site (Gallatin Solid Waste Management District),2143 Story Mill Rd., Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-587-7890.
Plastic lids, plastic containers (not #1 or #2), plastic prescription bottles, or multilayered food packaging (such as candy wrappers). separate out.
Disposal Services:
Ridwell Services, ridwell.com
Self-Disposal:
Bozeman Convenience Site (Gallatin Solid Waste Management District), 2143 Story Mill Rd., Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-587-7890
Logan Landfill, 10585 Two Dog Rd., Manhattan, MT 59741, 406-582-2495
Clothing/Fabrics – Separate out and wash. No disposal services known
Disposal Location (gently used clothing):
Check local Thrift Stores
Thredup.com
Sacks Thrift Store, 138 W. Mendenhall, on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, from 9 AM–2 PM
Rethink Thrift, 2630 W. Main St., using their 24/7 exterior bins,
Do Overs, 2130 Simmental Way, daily from 10 AM–3 PM.
Ridwell.com - Denim clothing
Charity/Outreach (clean items):
Love INC Clothes Closet Business Office, 141 Discovery Dr., Monday–Thursday, 9 AM–3 PM, or Friday, 9 AM–1PM. https://loveincgc.org/clothes-closet/
Sensitive Paper Documents. Separate and shred
Commercial Services:
Tear It Up, Three Forks, MT, 406-581-9612 – for large quantities.
The UPS Store, 1627 Main St., Bozeman, MT, 406-585-8000.
Alternative Shredding Disposal:
Purchase personal shredder
Personal bank, attorneys, financial advisors, etc., if permitted
B. Remaining Waste
a. Food adulterated paper, larger pieces of garden organic waste, metal jar lids, and used hygienic products
Disposal Services:
City of Bozeman if you live in the city limits and have city garbage pick-up
Republic Services, 8600 Huffine Lane, Bozeman, 406-586-0606
L & L Site Services, 100 Russell Lane, Belgrade, MT 59714, 406-388-7171
Alternative Disposal:
Burn local woods in a fireplace if permitted.
Bozeman Convenience Site (Gallatin Solid Waste Management District), 2143 Story Mill Rd., Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-587-7890
b. Scrap Metal, Household Hazardous Waste (motor oil, antifreeze, paint, batteries, yard/garden waste.
Self-Disposal:
Bozeman Convenience Site (Gallatin Solid Waste Management District), 2143 Story Mill Rd., Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-587-7890
Logan Landfill, 10585 Two Dog Rd., Manhattan, MT 59741, 406-582-2495
Pacific Recycling, 315 W Griffin, Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-587-0662
c. “e Waste”
Self-Disposal:
Logan Landfill, 10585 Two Dog Rd., Manhattan, MT 59741, 406-582-2495
Pacific Recycling, 315 W Griffin, Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-587-0662
Staples – 2 locations in Bozeman
Re-Compute, 615 N 7th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-522-9049
d. Large Items. Furniture, Appliances
Self-Disposal:
Logan Landfill, 10585 Two Dog Rd., Manhattan, MT 59741, 406-582-2495
Pacific Recycling and Steel, 315 West Griffin, Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-587-0662
e. Cars and Tires
Disposal:
Cars: Montana PBS donation, 406-844-200-5876
Pacific Steel and Recycling,315 W Griffin, Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-587-0662
Tires: Return when purchasing new tires
f. Batteries
Disposal Locations
Batteries Plus (2504 W Main St): Accepts a wide variety of batteries
Bozeman Convenience Site (2143 Story Mill Rd): Accepts household batteries and has a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program
Pacific Recycling (315 W Griffin Dr): Accepts batteries and electronics
Staples (2975 Max Ave): Accepts rechargeable batteries and electronics
Home Depot (1100 N 7th Ave): Accepts rechargeable batteries
Logan Landfill (12020 27th Rd): Accepts batteries
O'Reilly Auto Parts or NAPA Auto Parts: Commonly accept lead-acid car batteries
Important Battery Tips:
Tape Terminals: Tape the terminals of lithium and rechargeable batteries to prevent fire hazards
Separate Types: Keep alkaline and lithium batteries separated
Swollen Batteries: If a battery is swollen, place it in a sealed bag with kitty litter and take it to the landfill or convenience site
Avoiding or Lessening Household Waste
Shower/Kitchen Tap Water – collect the water warming up prior to washing, in a bucket or other container, for re-use on plants, etc.
Paper Napkins and Towels – use washable cloth napkins. Also, for paper towels: marleysmonsters.com (fabric rags that are fun and can be machine washed and reused, also, as napkins!)
Soaps – avoid glass and plastic containers. Purchase dishwasher soap in a paper box, bath soap in a paper wrapper, and shampoo/conditioner and body soap as bar products
Food Storage – wash and reuse Ziploc® or other brand plastic storage bags and reuse heavy plastic food bags from purchased food items, such as cheese bags. Purchase compostable storage bags and garbage bags. These can also be washed and reused.
Household Cleaning Goods – avoid single-use plastics
Shopping/Groceries – use reusable tote bags and produce bags. Purchase produce without putting in plastic bags. Request compostable bags, if available
Meat/Fish, Fresh Food Purchases – Buy paper wrapped meat or fish products. Do not buy fresh food products (such as sliced cheese) in single-use plastic or on Styrofoam trays.
Large Consumer Purchases: cars, boats, and appliances. Used purchases are usually more cost effective than buying new. Also, keep them longer.
Revised 7/16/2026