Get the Lowdown on Your Waste
Hey neighbors! It’s that time of year again – we all need to turn our attention towards recycling and keeping our environment clean. We know some of you might be scratching your heads or wondering where your recyclables should go this year, so let’s dive into the details on East Ridge’s recycling schedule for 2023.
First off, remember that recycling is more than just throwing stuff in a bin. It all starts with understanding what you can and can’t recycle! Our community wants to promote sustainability, and we need your help to make it work. This blog will guide you through the basics of East Ridge’s recycling program.
Before diving into our specific guidelines, let’s understand why recycling is crucial. It’s a vital step in protecting our planet, and choosing to recycle helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. These landfills are overflowing, and their contents are literally burying us under tons of trash! Recycling helps minimize these issues and prevents harmful chemicals from leaking into our soil and groundwater.
But what exactly can you recycle? Well, it’s not always as simple as tossing everything in the blue bin. Let’s get specific about East Ridge’s recycling guidelines for 2023:
Paper: This is a big one! Think newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard boxes (flattened), and junk mail. Remember to remove plastic windows or tape from the box before you put it in the recycling bin.
Glass: From jars of jam to those beautiful wine bottles, glass is another recyclable hero! Just make sure they’re rinsed clean before tossing them into the blue bin.
Plastic Bottles and Containers: These are often one of the most common items we recycle. Empty plastic bottles (water, soda, juice) and containers (think shampoo, cleaning products) should go in the blue bin. Be sure to remove caps, lids, and any labels from these before you add them.
Metal Cans: Empty food cans and aluminum foil are easily recyclable. Just remember to remove lids before putting them into the blue bin.
**What’s Not Recyclable?**
Now, let’s talk about what doesn’t belong in our recycling bins. This is important to keep in mind to prevent clogging up the system and ensure a more efficient process.
* **Plastic bags:** These are not accepted in most curbside recycling programs because they often end up tangled in machines or clog lines. Opt for reusable grocery bags or find a plastic bag recycling center near you.
* **Food waste:** Compost bins, food scraps, and garden waste go to the compost bin. That’s because these can decompose naturally into rich soil for our gardens. You get your yummy garden vegetables that won’t contribute to landfill gases!
* **Electronics: These need special attention since they contain hazardous materials. Do not throw electronics in the recycling bins, as it does not help and could even be harmful. Please visit [link to your city/town’s electronics recycling program website] for proper disposal or find a drop-off location near you.
* **Medical Waste:** If you need to dispose of needles or syringes, please don’t put them in the regular recycling bins. You have to go to a specific medical waste disposal center for these items. This is important to protect us from exposure to potentially harmful substances.
**How to Make Recycling Easier**
We all want to make this process as easy as possible, so here are some handy tips and tricks: First off, always check your local municipality’s website for the specific guidelines for your area. They often have detailed FAQs and online tools to help you sort out what goes in which bin.
Second, it helps to keep things organized and ready to go! This might mean having separate bins or containers at home dedicated to recycling. It makes a big difference and can save you time and energy later on!
Third, don’t be afraid to ask questions. We all need help sometimes – especially when it comes to understanding complex processes like recycling. So, connect with your local waste management team or visit the city website for any additional details or concerns about this matter.
**Community Recycling Programs:**
Don’t forget, East Ridge has a few more programs that contribute to environmental sustainability: Our community garden project (where we compost food scraps and plant delicious veggies) is a great example. They also offer a variety of workshops on recycling and how to incorporate sustainable practices into your daily life.
As you can see, recycling is an integral part of our eco-conscious journey! By making conscious choices, like sorting the right materials for recycling, we create positive change within our community. Let’s keep learning and growing together as we make East Ridge a cleaner, greener place.
