The Moscow Recycling Center, located at 290 N. Jackson was founded in July 1971, but was not incorporated until October 1973. The original incorporators were Larry Kirkland, Ruth Campbell, John Talbott, Richard Rice, and Shirley Mix. These five plus Jeffrey Williamson and Robert Furgason formed the board of directors; Janet Fiske joined the board as a temporary replacement for Furgason who was apparently on sabbatical. Board members represented the City of Moscow, Latah County, the University of Idaho, and the general public.

The center is a nonprofit corporation which depends on volunteer workers. Its purpose is to promote and establish recycling by educating the public in regard to environmental and energy concerns and to provide the public with the opportunity to dispose of their recyclable material in an environmentally sound way.

In 1979 the Moscow Recycling Center took over the operation of the recycling center in Pullman, Washington. In spite of periodic grants from the county and other monetary assistance, low prices received from buyers of recyclable materials caused financial hardships. In October 1984 MRC leased its property to Latah Sanitation, hoping the rent money received would pay off its accumulated debts. The lease was renewed in 1985.