Here are some basic guidelines for those in central Arkansas participating in Waste Management's Recycle America recycling program:
DON'TS
Garbage -- food waste, soiled diapers, etc.
Yard waste -- grass clippings, shrubbery trimmings, leaves, tree limbs, etc.
Plastic foam -- cups, plates, egg cartons, etc.
Rubber -- garden hoses, tires, etc.
PVC -- plumbing pipes
Plastic grocery bags -- they can usually be returned to the store
Air-conditioning filters -- dirty or clean, they are not recyclable
Things that can tangle -- garden hoses, Christmas lights, extension cords
Hard plastic ice chests -- won't work because they have foam inserts
Coat hangers -- plastic or metal
Medical waste -- hypodermic needles and other used medical equipment
DO'S
In the Waste Management recycling program, acceptable items are collected every other week on the same day as garbage collection and should be placed loose in carts, except for shredded paper, which should be gathered in see-through plastic bags. Waste Management accepts plastics rated 1 through 7 (the rating codes can be found on the bottom of most plastic items inside three arrows forming a triangle which indicates the item is recyclable). Acceptable items include:
Paper -- mixed paper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, soft-cover books, newspaper including inserts, nonfoil gift wrap, greeting cards and shredded paper (in clear, tied-off bags)
Cardboard -- corrugated cardboard, phone books, paperboard, craft paper, and chip board (cereal boxes)
Plastic -- Nos. 1-7 bottles and containers including tubs, lids and caps, mixed ridged plastics such as laundry baskets, large plastic tubs and potted plant containers
Metal -- Cans, metal pots, pans, cookware (no glass tops), empty aerosol cans, tin-coated steel food and drink containers
Aluminum -- foil, pie pans, drink and food containers
Glass -- empty containers
Waste Management's incentive program, Recyclebank, online at recyclebank.com/wm, offers residents points every time they recycle. Those points can be exchanged for discounts and special offers from local and national businesses. For more information, visit LRecycles.org.
HomeStyle on 05/10/2014