Recycle better – Now more than ever
With more people staying at home, recycling facilities are seeing more paper, cardboard, metal cans, plastic containers and other packaging waste coming in. Our nation’s supply chains are eager for these materials, which will be made into packaging, toilet paper and other vital items in high demand right now. By recycling better, you can do your part to keep vital items in stock.
But items that should be thrown in the trash are also showing up in the recycling. This includes PPE (gowns, masks, gloves), tissues/paper towels and non-recyclable packaging. Now more than ever, we need to recycle the right items.
In light of COVID-19, recycling facilities are taking extra precautions for their employees. These include fewer pickers on the line to pull out non-recyclables, so they can work from a safe distance from each other. With fewer pickers, more non-recyclables get mixed in with the recyclables. This impacts the overall quality and market value of recycling.
Take the time to learn what should go in your recycling cart. When in doubt, there are many resources to find the answer:
- Contact your recycling hauler.
- Contact your city.
- Use our online disposal guide.
- Call our 24/7 hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279).
To prevent jams at the recycling facility:
- Flatten all cardboard boxes before you place them in the recycling cart.
- Do not place any plastic bags in your recycling cart. They also cause jams. Keep your recyclables loose in the cart, and place plastic bags in the trash or store them until retail outlets start accepting them again.
Do not use your recycling cart as an extra trash cart or for household items that are not on the list of acceptable recycling items. If you have more trash than can fit in your trash cart, contact your trash hauler for options.
Thank you for recycling better!