Confused about recycling? Some dos and don’ts for homeowners
MetroCreative
MetroCreative
Recycling is different in each community. Information on what’s acceptable in a particular area can be found on county websites as well as those for individual municipalities.
MetroCreative
MetroCreative
When it comes to recycling, people can be confused. With Earth Day today, it’s a good time to learn about what’s permitted in local recycling.
“Each municipality has their own program,” said Sheila Shea, Fayette County recycling coordinator, explaining most include glass, plastic and aluminum or bi-metal cans while some also take newspapers, magazines and cardboard.
Mimi Ritenour, Greene County recycling coordinator, said acceptable items include food and drink cans no larger than one gallon, newspapers, cardboard, glass bottles and plastics marked 1 and 2 only. The number is located in a triangle on the object.
Information on what’s acceptable in a particular area can be found on county websites as well as those for individual municipalities.
Fayette County’s new website is www.fayettecountypa.org, where residents can click on “Services” at the top of the home page and then click on “Solid Waste and Recycling.” Check the menu at the left for lists of municipalities with curbside service and drop-off sites.
Greene County’s website is www.co.greene.pa.us, where residents can click on “Government” at the top of the home page and then “Solid Waste and Recycling.” The page lists 10 drop-off sites. There is no no curbside pickup.
It’s important to pay attention, such as knowing that plastic means bottles and containers but not plastic bags or film. Unacceptable items contaminate the recycling stream.
“Plastic bags are a big one where well-meaning people think they can put them in,” said Ritenour. “Sometimes people think ‘I remodeled my living room so I can recycle the glass’ or people put in mirrors. If they’re not sure, people can call me and ask ‘What do I do with this?”’
“I always say to call if you have a question,” said Shea. “If you’re not sure, call and find out.”
Shea shared an information sheet from the state Department of Environmental Protection that noted, “In 2015 alone, Pennsylvanians recycled over 7.75 million tons of resources. Despite these figures, potentially recyclable material continues to be lost each year due to growing contamination.”
DEP reported most common materials that cause problems include plastic bags, plastic film, garden hoses and wiring.
“Never include any material that may bind or restrict recycling sorting machinery. Sortation lines are routinely shut down due to the inclusion of the materials, which must be manually removed and disposed of by workers,” DEP said. “Never include any potentially hazardous material in your curbside bin. Examples are propane tanks, broken glass and needles. In addition to contribution to contamination in the recycling stream, these materials are dangerous to the haulers and workers handling this material.”
DEP advised checking with the local recycling program but noted some common items to keep out include plastic bags, plastic films, recyclables in plastic bags, any soiled/wet/greasy material, food waste, disposable polystyrene containers, broken glass, ceramics, crystal and leaded glass, plastic toys, plastic bins, plastic bulk items and propane tanks.
DEP also recommended:
“Clean recyclables. A quick rinse in most cases is adequate in removing food waste residue. However, if the container or material is heavily soiled with food waste residue or grease, and cannot be cleaned, it should be discarded in the trash.
“Dry recyclables. After rinsing out containers, ensure all containers are free of excessive moisture. Moisture itself can contaminate the recycling stream as it greatly degrades the quality and recoverability of cardboard and other fiber-based materials.
“Don’t break glass. Aside from being a hazard to collectors and workers on the sorting line, broken glass degrades the quality and recoverability of fiber-based materials. It is important to follow your local recycling program guidelines concerning glass and only include it in the approved manner.”
Shea also referred to Keep America Beautiful (www.kab.org), which promotes volunteerism to keep communities clean and green, while Ritenour pointed to Earth 911 at www.earth911.com for information on recycling.
“That’s handy for folks who live anywhere in the country,” said Ritenour. “It’s something they can check if there’s something they think about over the weekend and I’m not in my office.”
Counties offer hard-to-recycle days for items not part of the regular recycling program.
Fayette County’s schedule includes: April 27, Fayette County Fairgrounds; May 11, Brownsville Drive-in; June 1, Uniontown City; June 8, Fairchance Borough; Sept. 21, Farmington Volunteer Fire Department Fairgounds. All events take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and only residential material will be accepted.
Acceptable items include computer towers/monitors, laptops, computer accessories and printers and televisions – only two per car accepted. A $2 per item fee is charged for large and small appliances, scrap metal, tires (passenger or light truck off rim), $3 if on rim.
Fayette County will provide safe disposal for common household chemicals from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 22 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. There is a cash-only, $3 fee per gallon. A few exceptions will apply.
Acceptable items include aerosol cans, automotive fluids: motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, brake fluid; batteries, camp fuel/small propane bottles, chemistry sets, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), gasoline and kerosene, household cleaners; ammonia, drain openers, acid cleaners, oven cleaners; mercury, paint products: latex, oil based, alkyd based, arts/crafts chemicals, rust preservatives, creosote, water sealers, paint thinners, furniture strippers; pesticides/herbicides: rodent killers, insecticides, weed killers, mothballs, fertilizer; photo chemicals, pool chemicals and smoke detectors ($3 each).
They will not accept ammunition, appliances, bulk waste, commercial and industrial waste, compressed gas cylinders (large grill/medical), drugs/medical waste (including needles), electronics (including televisions, explosives, flares, fluorescent tubes, leaking containers, PCBs and dioxin, radioactive materials and tires.
Greene County is hosting electronics recycling from 2 to 6 p.m. May 1 and Sept. 25 at the Greene County Fairgrounds. Acceptable items include computers, peripherals, laptops, stereos, radios, one old CRT television per vehicle. There is a fee for air conditioners, dehumidifiers, humidifiers and refrigerators.
While recycling can be confusing, local programs try to provide education and are finding many area residents who are interested.
“A lot of people say they want to reduce their carbon footprint,” noted Shea. “In general, people want to do things to save the Earth.”
“I get a lot of calls from people asking all kinds of questions,” said Ritenour. “I think most people want to do the right thing and they care about the environment.”