How to Recycle Right

The behavior in this picture needs to STOP! There are new signs on all of the bins detailing what items are to be placed in the recycling bin, and what items need to stay out. There are six signs on each bin that include color pictures of materials that go in the bins. There is another sign, again with color pictures, of what is NOT to be left at or in the bins. Be responsible for your own trash. Why should the county have to pay for you to illegally dump your trash at the recycling sites?

When taking cardboard to the bin for recycling, FLATTEN THE BOXES. This allows more material to fit into the bin. This gives your friends and neighbors a chance to recycle their cardboard because the bin isn't full of empty boxes. Take the styrofoam packaging out of the box and put it in your regular trash. It is not recyclable in this area. Recyclable paper includes magazines, junk mail, catalogs, envelopes, newspapers, office paper, school papers, and paper shopping bags. Paper or cardboard with glitter or foil decoration is NOT recyclable.

Metal cans are recyclable, but should be clean. This means rinse them out. When you put cans in the recycling bin with bits and pieces of old vegetables or fruit, cat food, dog food, etc. it creates a situation that will promote bugs and rodents. It also makes it more difficult for the recycling company as it causes contamination of materials. 

Plastic recycling has changed over the past few years. Rather than trying to go by the numbers in the recycling symbol, plastic recycling is now using types of products. The only kind of plastic that should be going into the recycling bins are primarily bottles, jugs, jars and containers such as butter containers, peanut butter jars, milk jugs, water bottles, laundry detergent jugs, etc. These containers should be rinsed so that no food or liquid is still in them. 

Glass recycling at the bins is for FOOD GRADE GLASS ONLY! Food grade glass is what things like your pickles, root beer, mustard, relish, and wine are packaged in when you buy them at the store. Other kinds of glass such as window or mirror glass or drinking glasses can contaminate an entire load of good recyclable glass due to the things added to "temper" the glass for safety. Please rinse any food or beverage residue from the glass before you put it in the recycling bins. 

Anything other than the materials listed above should not be left at the recycling bins. For information about recycling or disposing of other materials, call the Recycling District at 765-472-7224.