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How it works
Recycling with us is simple with these three easy steps.
Step 1
Sign up for bi-weekly curbside recycling
Step 2
We drop off a 64-gallon recycling bin curbside. You fill your bin up with recyclables;
no need to sort!
Step 3
We swap your recycling bin with an empty one, curbside, on your scheduled pick-up day.
Shop
Recycling & Sand
What Can I Recycle?
Glass bottles, mixed paper, clear #1 plastic bottles & translucent #2 plastic jugs, aluminum cans, tin cans, and cardboard can all be recycled in your 64-gallon bin.
Learn more about each material below!
Glass
Glass Bottles & Jars
We’re excited to be the only company in the Flathead Valley that recycles glass! We crush and grind clean glass bottles and jars into sand. The sand is available to all Flathead County residents and is great for DIY projects, landscaping, barriers, weight, and traction sand.
Accepted: Clean, empty glass bottles and jars only.
Not accepted: Mirrors, light bulbs, windows, decorative glass, or other large pieces of glass.
Paper
Mixed Paper
We accept paperboard, magazines, newspapers, paper egg cartons, paper grocery bags, office paper, bagged shredded paper, and similar clean paper items.
Accepted: Clean, dry paper and paperboard only.
Not accepted: Soiled paper, waxed paper plates, gift wrap, loose shredded paper, or coated paper (such as coffee cups or paper milk cartons).
Plastic
Clear #1 Bottles & Jars & Translucent #2 Plastic Jugs
Recycling plastic in the Flathead Valley is more limited. We only accept empty, clean plastic: Transparent #1 bottles and translucent #2 jugs.
To identify the plastic type, look for the triangle symbol with a number in the center (usually stamped on the bottom of the container).
Accepted examples: Clear water bottles, clear soda bottles, milk jugs, and clean food jars (such as peanut butter jars).
Not accepted: Plastics #3 or higher, colored plastics (even white), plastic grocery bags, or plastic clamshells (such as berry containers), regardless of the number. Our partners currently do not accept these items.
Aluminum & Tin
Aluminum Cans & Tin Cans
We accept aluminum and tin cans of all shapes and sizes, as long as they are empty and clean. This includes soda, beer, sparkling water, juice, and any other aluminum can.
We also accept tin cans if they are clean and free of rust. Most soup cans are tin.
Accepted: Empty, clean aluminum cans and clean, rust-free tin cans.
Not accepted: Other scrap metals such as lead, brass, or copper.
Cardboard Recycling
Corrugated Cardboard
Cardboard recycling is easy! There are only a few simple rules to help our team.
Accepted: Flattened, clean cardboard free of food residue. If a box is longer than four feet, please cut it into smaller pieces—this helps us tremendously!
Not accepted: Greasy pizza boxes (or any cardboard with heavy food residue or grease).
ABOUT BLACK BEAR RECYCLING
We're local; we live here! Black Bear Recycling is dedicated to providing the easiest way to recycle in the Flathead Valley. Our mission is to promote sustainability in the Flathead Valley by collecting recyclables to keep them out of our landfill.
Current Service Area
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Kalispell
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Evergreen
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Creston
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Somers
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Bigfork
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Lakeside
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Columbia Falls
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Whitefish
We pride ourselves on being a local, customer-oriented business with a commitment to fair and transparent practices. Join us in our efforts to keep Montana clean and green.
FAQ's
Can I drop off my recycling?
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No, we currently do not have a public drop off option.
Is the price per month or per pick up?
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Pricing is per month, automatically charged with the card we have on file. Cancel anytime.
Where do my recyclables end up?
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Glass: We process glass ourselves, grinding bottles and jars into sand, then selling them near cost back into the community.
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Metals: Aluminum and tin are recycled with Pacific Steel and Recycling.
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Paper, Cardboard, Plastics: Are recycled with Valley Recycling.