What Can and Can't Be Recycled  |  Guide to Preparing Materials  |  Recycling Schedule Change for 2013

Why Recycle?

The average household throws away over a ton of garbage each year.  This material usually ends up in our local landfill, adding to the solid waste problem.  Many of the things we throw away can be recycled into useful products again and again.  Recycling helps to:

Preparing Your Materials for Recycling

  1. Empty and rinse all containers

  2. Discard caps and lids/  The plastic or metal "ring" left at the top of glass and plastic bottles DOESN'T have to be removed.  Labels DON'T have to be removed.

  3. Store your recyclables in a designated container in your home.  Place all of your glass, plastic and metal containers together in the same container - this is called co-mingling.  You do not have to separate the materials, this will be done at the recycling center

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE PAPER OR PLASTIC BAGS FULL OF RECYCLABLES IN THE RECYCLING BIN!!

How Are These Materials Recycled?

After your recyclables are picked up from your property, they are taken to a recycling center where they are separated, processed and shipped to end users.

GLASS

Glass is separated by color (clear, green and brown), crushed into small pieces called "cullet" and used to make more glass bottles and jars.

CANS

Aluminum cans are separated from steel cans using a large magnet.  The cans are melted down and used to make more metal cans.

PLASTIC BOTTLES

Plastic bottles are separated by type (1 and 2) and ground into small flakes which are heated and formed into pellets.  These pellets are used to make lots of items like signs, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, flower pots, fiberfill fro jackets and pillows, simulated wood lumber and many other items.