I helped a few folks on our block while they were on vacation this summer. A little watering, mail pick-up, and trash put out.
I glanced into the recycle bins as I rolled them out, and found everything in them was recyclable, but not via the bin we put by the curb. One had some metal fencing and number 5 containers, the other had plastic container lids, and plastic bags mixed with the other recyclables.
I know the changes in recycling can be confusing, but the rules are simple.
Straight from Sanipac:
"Only the following clean items are accepted in your blue 95 gallon commingle recycling cart:
Plastic – beverage bottles and milk jugs only.
Cardboard – flattened (excludes waxed cardboard and frozen foods packaging)
Paper – newspapers, phonebooks, magazines, junk mail and computer paper.
Metal – food and beverage containers."
Only clean, unbroken glass bottles or jars are accepted in your blue 14 gallon glass recycle box.
Lane Apex has the same list of acceptable recycling on their web site, and a discouraging list of all the inappropriate things they have found in the recycling bin.
Metal can be recycled at the Glenwood transfer station, and others throughout the county. Container lids and containers can be recycled at community collection events, and after COVID-19, plastic bags will once again be accepted at grocery stores. Wood waste, dirt, and concrete can be taken to Lane Forest Products or Rexius.
If you put the wrong things in your comingle cart the whole truck load can become garbage and go straight to the landfill. You have to clean and sort properly- your trash hauler cannot do it for you.
As a master recycler, I enjoy educating people. I've talked to my neighbors- they're not confused anymore.
If you're a dedicated recycler, help educate your friends and neighbors.
Wash those plastic bags and re-use them. Leftovers fit perfectly in a yogurt container. When in doubt, throw it out.
I'm John Fischer with KLCC's Living Less Unsustainably.
Copyright 2020, KLCC