What can I put in my new blue recycling cart?
Your blue recycling cart is for paper, cardboard, cans, plastic bottles and plastic tubs. Plastic yogurt and margarine tubs and plastic buckets under 5 gallons can all be recycled as part of the mix. The biggest changes are: Glass must be separate from other recyclables. It goes by itself in its own bin to prevent broken glass from mixing with other materials. Cardboard needs to be folded or cut down to fit inside the blue cart and not left beside the cart as we did with the three-bin system.
What doesn’t belong in the blue curbside recycling cart?
Frozen food boxes, paper plates, napkins, paper cups or anything with food on it should never go in your cart. In addition, your blue cart should never have garbage in it. You still need to use your regular garbage can or cart for all nonrecyclable items or trash. Plastic bags also do not belong in your recycling cart. They are recyclable, just not at the curb. Many grocery stores accept plastic shopping bags for recycling. If you have questions about how to recycle other items, such as block foam or plastic clamshells (plastic containers) look them up on http://www.recyclinga-z.com.
Can I recycle aerosol cans in the cart?
Yes. Once empty, aerosol cans may be recycled in your blue cart (including pesticide cans). The cans are made of tin and steel. Recycling metal saves energy, reduces greenhouse gases and conserves natural resources. Remove the plastic top and place it in your cart. Aerosol cans that still contain liquids should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste collection facility at the transfer station. There is no charge for this service. Look under aerosol cans on http://www.recyclinga-z.com for specific locations and hours or call 360-397-6118 ext 4352.
This column is provided by Clark County Environmental Services. Please send questions to sally.fisher@clark.wa.gov.
