Recycling Etiquette
Know the rules, and please obey the rules

[April 29, 2015]  LINCOLN - It appears that the warmer weather has helped fuel an increase in the amount of materials being taken to recycling sites throughout Logan County; bins have been full to overflowing. However, this has also left the agency to deal with increasing amounts of contamination. The illegal dumping of non-recyclable materials into collection bins is prohibited under both city and county ordinances.

In the past few weeks, the agency has removed household trash, lawn furniture, car bumpers, tree limbs and commercial grade 55 gallon barrels from the recycling bins. Recycling bins are provided for the recycling of household materials such as cans, food containers and health & beauty product/laundry containers as well as paper products and are not for the disposal of commercial and/or industrial products/materials.

Recyclable materials differ from regular household trash in that these materials are collected, sorted and processed into new items that will once again find their way to your home. Items to be recycled, therefore, need to be handled differently than household trash.

During various stages of the recycling process including collection and sorting phases, individuals not machinery handle the materials. Metal and plastic recyclable food containers should be rinsed and free of any food material. If the pizza box has cheese stuck to it, toss it in the garbage. Used paper plates and napkins should be placed in the garbage, not in the recycling bin, as should used paper-towels and tissues. Ashtrays should not be dumped emptied into recyclable materials. Individuals should be aware that just because an item is either plastic or metal, it does not make it recyclable. Acceptable items will display a recycling symbol on the bottom or on the label. The recycling symbol is a triangle composed of three chasing arrows. Remember, when in doubt, leave it out!

All Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency collection sites offer residents the opportunity to recycle both paper and co-mingled plastic/metal materials. Recyclers are reminded that bins are designated for the collection of a specific material either paper or co-mingled plastics & metals. Do not place metals or plastics in the paper bin or paper materials in the co-mingled plastic and metals bin. The program does not accept glass at any of its collection sites.

Paper items accepted include newspaper, junk mail, magazines, single-ply chipboard (cereal and other food container boxes, Kleenex and shoeboxes, etc.) and catalogs. The recycling program does not accept corrugated cardboard. Preparation for recycling paper items is minimal; boxes should be broken down and flattened. Newspaper, magazines, junk mail and flattened chipboard boxes can be placed in paper sacks or emptied loose into the bin. Do not tie or bind newspapers and/or magazines with string or wire.

Plastics accepted for recycling include plastics numbered one (1) through seven (7) with the exception of # 6 which is Styrofoam. Accepted items include food and drink containers (milk/water/soda bottles); bleach, detergent, and softener bottles; and other health & beauty product containers. Styrofoam items including packing materials, meat trays and plates/cups are unacceptable for recycling. Again, preparation for recycling plastics is minimal, rinse to remove any food product and flatten. Caps may be left on containers. Metal items accepted for recycling include: food containers, coffee cans and drink (soda/beer) cans. Again, rinse containers and if possible flatten metal cans.

The recycling program does not accept plastic bags from stores, dry cleaning bags or trash bags. If you transport your recyclables to the collection bins in any type of plastic and/or trash bag, empty the contents loose into the bin and take the plastic bag home for disposal with other household trash. Plastic bags used to hold items such as water softener salt, mulch, seed and fertilizer are not accepted at any recycling site.

Plastic grocery bags and plastic film can be recycled at the Lincoln Wal-Mart or Kroger stores. Plastic film includes items such as dry cleaning bags, newspaper bags, bread/produce bags, beverage case wrapping, toilet/paper towel and napkin wrapping and bubble wrap and air pillows used in packaging. Recyclers are asked to remove all receipts from the bags. Collection bins for recycled plastic bags and plastic film are located inside the entrance of both stores.

Recyclers are asked not overload the collection bins ensuring that bins lids or sliding doors can be closed. Collection bins for paper and plastics/metal are emptied weekly at all sites. If collection bins are full, do not leave recyclables on the ground where they can be strewn by the weather or animals. These measures will assist the agency is maintaining the area surrounding the collection bins for the health and safety of both those utilizing the bins as well as agency employees.

The Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency appreciates the efforts of recyclers and strives to provide a quality recycling program for county residents. For more information on the county’s recycling program, preparation of recyclable materials, or how to dispose of other household items such as appliances, car batteries, tires or paint, visit our web-site at www.co.logan.il.us and select Joint Solid Waste Agency, or contact Mitzi Rohlfs, Coordinator at 217-732-9636. Area recyclers can “Like” the Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on collections and the Agency. Remember, Recycle Today for Tomorrow.

[Mitzi Rohlfs, Logan County Joint Solid Waste]