A Recycling Resolution to Last the Entire Year

Happy New Year everyone!  If you are like most of us, you started this new year with a plan!  You are going to eat healthier.  You are going to stay organized.  You are going to buy a new house.  These are all great ways to start the year.  But we’ve all been there.  When February rolls around, it’s harder to stick to the plan.

A Recycling Resolution for You and for the Future
Join us in our resolution to be better recyclers.  This is an easy one!  We all know recycling is great because it reduces the amount of waste ending up in the landfills.  But did you know it also helps reduce pollution, conserves energy, saves Earth’s natural resources and creates over a million jobs in the U.S. alone? Recycling is not just a good habit, it’s a plan to ensure a bright and healthy future for your neighborhood and the next generation.

Recycling Contamination
Unfortunately, in recent years the U.S. has seen a steady rise in contamination levels in curbside recycling bins – almost 20%.  Recycling contamination is when non-recyclable items are placed in with recyclables items; often ruining the good, usable material.  Not only does this have an enormous impact on sorting facilities throughout the country, it also effects the industry as a whole.  So much so that communities across the country have abandoned their curbside recycling programs.  But we can do better.

We understand it is sometimes hard to determine what is recyclable and what isn’t.  Don’t let this discourage you.  Curbside recycling is easy if you stick to the basics.  After all, Basic Recycling is Better Recycling.

Keep in mind that all containers should be empty and dry and the lids should be left ON. It’s also important to throw your recyclables loose in your recycling bin and never in a plastic bag. Speaking of plastic bags, they are one of the major contaminants that we find in our recycling center.

Items that should NOT go in your recycling bin:

Batteries, Food Waste
Greasy Pizza Boxes
Aerosol Cans, Electronic Waste
Garden Hoses, Christmas Lights
Light Bulbs, Flat Glass
(ceramics, dishes, mirrors)

These items wreak havoc on sorting facilities and can ruin the good recyclables. The good news is, while these items are not part of our curbside program, there are other ways to recycle or dispose of them properly. Check out our hard to handle page for details.

The New Year can be an exciting time to start fresh! And what better way than making a resolution we can keep up with the whole year through. Stick to the basics of recycling and together we will foster powerful positive change to help protect our planet’s resources and for future generations.