by Laurie Martin
Recycling has proven to be an important part of our city. It creates jobs, helps protect the environment, reduces pollution, and saves on landfill space.
However, the market demands have changed over the years which is why there has been some confusion on what can and can’t be recycled here in Mecklenburg County.
Sadly, a lot of people are recycling the wrong way in hopes that what they put in their recycle bin will be recycled. This is called WISHFUL RECYCLING and it is actually very costly.
Recycling the wrong way:
- Slows down production.
- Damages equipment-Last year someone recycled a metal rod that broke the machine and cost our county $32,000.
- Contaminates loads-If a load is contaminated, it likely will end up in the landfill.
- Impacts the workers-There are about 50 workers picking through items on conveyer belt so please do not put any sharps/needles, diapers, or food in your recycle can.
Understanding what you can and cannot recycle is really important.
| Please Recycle | Please DO NOT Recycle |
| Aerosol cans-empty Aluminum cans Glass-ONLY jars with lids, beer bottles-do not put caps in recycling-they are too small and might get mixed in with glass. Paper-junk mail, magazines, phone books, children’s artwork, post it notes, paperback books, toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls Plastic bottles-with necks. The ONLY plastic that can be recycled is if the neck/top is smaller than the base. Steel cans-only from kitchen Cardboard-cereal boxes, Kleenex boxes, pizza boxes as long as there is no food or grease in them | Batteries-Take to Home Depot/Lowes Bubble wrap Christmas lights Diapers Food Garden hoses Kleenex/paper towels/toilet paper Metal hangers Metal Nails Paper plates/napkins Pill bottles-too small-goes to glass Plastic bags-take to Grocery Store Plastic cutlery Plastic cups Peanut cans Plastic fruit containers Propane tanks Scrap metal Sharps/Syringes-Put in a bottle/can Shredded paper-confetti |
The following items can be taken to a FULL SERVICE RECYCLING CENTER
- Aluminum foil-it 2D flattens easily and contaminates the paper.
- Car Parts
- Electronics
- Light Bulbs
- Metal Hangers
- Metal Nails
- Propane Tanks
- Scrap Metal
To learn more about Mecklenburg County’s Recycling program:
https://www.mecknc.gov/LUESA/SolidWaste/Resources/Pages/MRF.aspx
Great Recycling Article https://www.rubiconglobal.com/blog/recycling-contamination/
