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What You Need to Know About Recycling Contamination Fees

Posted on July 11, 2019

Did you know that 1 in 4 items placed in a recycling container is not recyclable? Do your residents know that?

China and other countries are no longer accepting highly contaminated recycling waste from the US, thereby requiring domestic haulers to find other, more expensive channels for removal. Because of this, trash haulers are passing the higher costs on to their customers through contamination fees.

There are a couple of things you need to do to get ahead of this situation:
• Work with your trash / recycling provider to understand your contract terms, price increase schedule, and current communities incurring contamination fees.
• Re-negotiate contracts if needed to protect your communities from fees and increasing costs.
• Educate resident about common sources of contamination and work to reduce contamination at your communities.

Common Contaminants:
• Plastic Bags (take the plastic bags back to the grocer and make sure you are not bagging your recyclables in plastic bags to put in the bin)
• Paper Napkins, Plates, Cups & Tissues (these should be composted if possible but not put with recycling)
• Food and Liquids (compost if possible)
• Electronics or Small Appliances (check earth911.com for a local drop off site)
• Clothing, fabric, rugs
• Styrofoam / Polystyrene Foam (foam and plastic to-go containers and packing peanuts are not recyclable with regular residential recycling)
• Non-Recyclable Plastic (recycle only food & beverage bottles, jugs, and tubs)
• Hoses, hangers, extension cords
• Scrap Metal, Tires & Auto Parts
• Wood, Concrete & Construction Debris
• Yard Waste

Learn more at:

The Battle Against Recycling Contamination is Everyone’s Battle

Lori Hanson

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