Rays Recycling Center

Rays Recycling Center is the local recycling drop-off out on US-40 Scenic that folks from Clayton and nearby towns use to keep recyclables out of the landfill. Small pickups, trailers and carloads turn up here, especially on weekends when the line gets longer. The place looks like a working yard rather than a storefront - bring patience on busy days.

Drive in off US-40 and you'll see a small entrance area with a booth and space to pull up for a quick check-in before being directed to the recycling bays. Concrete pads and large blue/green containers hold common curbside materials like cardboard, paper, plastics and metal, and there’s usually a separate area for glass and electronics recycling programs. Loads are typically handled by weight or vehicle type at similar centers, so expect to stop at a scale on the way out. Weekends and spring cleanup bring the most traffic, with trailers and pickup trucks backed up more often than cars.