What is and what is not recyclable? There are considerable confusions on this topic. 

 

The key word is containers. The plastic that is recyclable is in the form of containers that hold either food or household products. These have the numbers 1 – 7 stamped in a triangle on the bottom. Virtually all other plastic like coat hangers, packing, bubble wrap, drinking straws, plastic implements, plastic bags, styrofoam etc. ARE NOT recyclable. 

 

The following metal items ARE NOT recyclable at one of the drop off trucks each week: coat hangers, hardware, tin foil or tin pie pans, other metal tools or gadgets. All metal is recyclable at the landfill. Containers either metal or plastic that have held poison, pesticides, herbicides, gasoline, anti-freeze, etc. are not recyclable. 

 

The acceptable recycling categories are as follows: Aluminum drink cans, Plastic containers and steel cans together, Glass (bottles only), Corrugated cardboard, Mixed paper (includes books, magazines, paper in any form). 

 

Some other items that have caused confusion are other aluminum cans, such as pet food cans. They go in with the plastic. Glass, other than glass bottles that have held food or household products, is not recyclable. Examples are ceramics, drinking glasses, window glass, mirrors etc.  

 

We also take all kinds of batteries except car batteries and all kinds of light bulbs. 

 

Our new rule is that when the trailer is full, we leave. Come early to be sure your recyclables are taken. 

 

A warm thank-you to all our recyclers. Many now crush their plastic milk jugs and other large plastic containers and break down their corrugated cardboard boxes. That helps us get a lot more material on the trailer and allows the attendant to help those who can’t climb or who need other assistance. Your help is much appreciated.  

                                           

Submitted by Dan Dworkin 

                                            

Caption: The picture is Dakota Spencer, 3 1/2 recycling with her dad, Adam at the transfer station on Rt. 9.