Recycling and Composting

In an effort to increase recycling in the park and make it easier for both employees and visitors to recycle, Gateway Arch National Park installed many clearly-marked recycling bins in each building and around the grounds with signs stating the accepted materials, making them simple to use while reducing the amount of unrecyclable waste mixed in. Accepted materials include:

• Aluminum
• Plastic bottles and containers
• Office Paper
• Newspapers and magazines

During construction and renovation of the grounds and Visitor Center and Museum, contractors collected and reused the construction debris or recycled what could not be reused. When the grounds are mowed, the grass clippings are left on top of the freshly cut grass in order to decompose and fertilize the soil naturally. Additionally, any larger organic debris, such as tree branches, twigs, or plants, are added to a compost pile on the park grounds and, after breaking down, are used to top dress the soil or fill in the beds around bushes and flowers.