Rethinking with ReWorks – Recycling Options

by Marcie E. Kress, Executive Director, ReWorks

Recycling is a great way to help reduce the amount of material sent to landfills. This doesn’t just have a positive effect on the environment, but also the economy. Strong recycling programs can help create jobs, reduce waste management costs and can even generate revenue.

To increase the positive impacts of curbside recycling it is important to keep the stream of recyclables placed in your home recycling carts free of contamination. By preparing your items properly you are ensuring a clean stream of material. To do this we have some simple reminders.

All items placed in your home recycling cart should be clean, dry and not bagged.

  • Clean: Items that have previously contained food or beverages are empty and not coated in residue. This helps keep contamination off other items placed in your cart.
  • Dry: Ensure there are no liquids remaining in or on items placed in your home recycling cart. This allows other items like paper and cardboard placed in your cart to remain dry and eliminates the likelihood of them sticking to other materials.
  • Not bagged: Do not bag your recyclables. Bagged items cannot be identified and sorted properly at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs.) Additionally, plastic bags that get into the recycling stream can cause issues for MRF machinery.

Recycling options don’t end with your home recycling cart. Listed below are a few materials that should never be placed in home recycling carts but can be recycled in another way.
Plastic bags and film plastic: Take items like bags and wrappers on paper towels to participating grocery stores and big box stores.

  • Shredded paper: Shredded paper can be recycled when it is taken directly to a facility that processes paper fiber. Visit our webpage www.summitreworks.com/shredding for options.
  • Batteries: Batteries should never be placed in your home recycling cart. Visit www.summitreworks.com/batteries for handling options.
  • Scrap metal: Items like foil, metal car parts, string lights and other metal items can be recycled at scrap metal recycling facilities. Contact the facility for hours, locations, and other specifics before you bring materials to them.

Recycling makes an impact – especially when done properly. Knowing the best option for recycling your material helps keep recycling efficient and limits contamination.

ReWorks, the solid waste management authority for Summit County, provides programs, services, and community outreach on waste reduction, recycling, and other materials management strategies. For more information, visit summitreworks.com, call 330-374-0383 or email us at: talk@summitreworks.com.

Marcie E. Kress, Executive Director, ReWorks

Sponsored by

ReWorks

2711 West Market St. Unit 13620, Fairlawn, OH 44333
www.summitreworks.com • 330-374-0383

Opinions and claims expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ScripType Publishing.