Earth Care Update - September

For the month of September we are focusing on “How to Recycle Properly” and want to review some important reminders with everyone. When you think of the “3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), recycling should always be the last option. Please try to REDUCE your waste and REUSE things as much as possible! The Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Recycling District mails a Recycling Guide out to everyone in the county each year. It contains a lot of helpful information. If you missed it, there is very helpful information available at timetorecycle.org in the “How to Recycle” section and then click “Residents.” Below you will find helpful information summarized from their guide and website.

Proper Plastic Recycling
Many people are most often confused about how to recycle plastic properly. One common mistake is people think plastic bags can be recycled in your curbside containers or drop off bins. PLEASE DO NOT PUT PLASTIC BAGS IN THESE CONTAINERS! Plastic bags can only be recycled at specific sites. Our church has a white bin in the gathering area to collect these for a Rotary project. Buehler’s and Kohl’s also collect plastic bags for recycling. If you put your recyclables in a plastic bag, you can dump the contents out into the recycling bin and leave the bag in the container as a liner to reuse. Unfortunately, our recycling district can only collect plastic bottles and jugs with a neck and shoulders. Please rinse and air dry thoroughly! They DO NOT collect containers for things like yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, take-out, and clamshell containers for foods like lettuce and berries. This is unfortunate and confusing because they used to collect these kinds of plastics. If you are ever in doubt, it is better to throw it out because it contaminates the recycling stream!

Proper Paper and Cardboard Recycling
Please break down cardboard and remove any packaging. You need to throw styrofoam and other materials that can’t be recycled away. Then flatten it before putting it in the bin. Flattened cardboard takes up less space and helps facilities run more efficiently, so please take this extra step! Paper, junk mail, newspapers, magazines, and paper shopping bags are all accepted.

Glass Bottles and Jars
All colors of glass bottles and jars are recyclable. Labels don’t need to be removed. Please rinse and air dry before recycling.

Metal Cans 
Steel and aluminum cans are accepted. Labels don’t need to be removed. Please rinse and air dry before recycling. **Aluminum foil is NOT recyclable. It should be reused or thrown away.