News from City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services - August 2016

Shreadded Paper Can't Be Taken To Full Service Recycling Center

Oops, in the article below distributed on August 3, we advised that shredded paper should be taken to a full service recycling center, which in fact it should not. If you have shredded paper, the correct way to dispose of it is to seek a company or organization that offers shredding or place in your garbage cart. We apologize for the mistake.

Guess What You Can't Put In That Recycling Cart?

Plastic bags have become a staple in retail businesses. From grocery stores to department stores if you leave with something it is most likely in a plastic bag. Many people think that because the bags have a recycling symbol on them that they can go in their recycling cart – but they can’t. That’s right, plastic bags aren’t recyclable in the City of Charlotte’s recycling program. 

Why?

Recyclables collected by Solid Waste Services are taken to Mecklenburg County's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to be processed. The processing of recyclables includes many different machines. Plastic bags can cause damage to the machines and delay production – both can increase costs for repair and maintenance. Plastic bags aren’t the only thing that can’t go in the recycling cart. Styrofoam and shredded paper should also not be placed in the recycling cart either.

So, what should you do with plastic bags and Styrofoam?

• Plastic bags can be reused or taken to most local retail stores for recycling, some even offer cash back! When you've exhausted those options, they can be placed in your garbage cart.  
• Consider not using Styrofoam. Try using dishes, glasses for eating instead of Styrofoam or paper plates. Additionally, newspaper can be used as insulation and packing material. If you must use Styrofoam, place it in the garbage cart. 
• Before shredding paper, consider recycling the paper. If it contains confidential information and needs to be shredded, seek a shredding company or organization or place in your garbage cart.

Please remember to keep these three items out of the recycling cart.