Clean recycling more important than ever
Do you ever feel unsure about what you’re putting in your recycling bin, and hope you’re doing the right thing?
Of course, we all do that from time to time. Unfortunately good intentions can lead to dirty recycling, West Central Solid Waste District officials note. Clean recycling is essential to ensure high-quality, marketable products that are in demand in today’s recycling industry.
“We’ve been doing this for decades and it’s still confusing as to what exactly should be placed in a curbside tote or a drop-off recycling bin,” Jane Collisi, executive director of the West Central Solid Waste District, said. “Recycling the right way doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming, and there’s no need to feel guilty if you can’t recycle all of your household waste.
“It’s more important to recycle correctly than to throw items in that don’t belong and contaminate the whole load,” Collisi said. “We just need to get back to basics by recycling only the items listed as acceptable,” Collisi noted.
Here is a quick checklist of recycling dos and don’ts to help clean up the recycling stream:
• Recycle only the items listed as accepted in the bins (check signage and bin labels or contact your hauler if you have questions). When in doubt, throw it out.
• Rinse all containers to remove residue (metal cans, plastic containers Nos. 1-7, glass bottles and jars).
• Flatten all paper and cardboard boxes (remove greasy or food stained portions and throw those in the trash).
• Empty plastic bags of recyclables loosely into the bins and take the bags with you to use again. (Exception: Shredded paper). Large bulky bags take up valuable space causing bins to fill and overflow quickly, not leaving room for your neighbor’s recycling.
• Never leave anything on the ground if the bins are full. This encourages others to leave material also and is considered illegal dumping which can lead to a site being closed. The bins are fullest on switch-out days, so try coming the day after the bins are emptied so you don’t waste a trip.
• Reduce the amount of waste you buy and reuse as much as you can first.
• Remember that recycling is the last step to waste reduction.