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Recycling is simpler and cheaper
when the waste stream is separated up front. Therefore,
it’s greener to put your paper recyclables into bins
that collect paper only.
You’ve probably noticed or
contributed paper to the familiar yellow and green Paper
Retriever bins at churches, schools, recreation centers,
fire stations and recycling dropoff points like Home
Depot and Kroger. Organizations are paid for the paper
they collect. It’s a good way to promote recycling
consciousness, keep paper out of the landfill, and get
money for a worthy cause all at the same time. Recycling
also saves trees: no virgin fiber needs to be added when
new newsprint is made.
Yet, confusion exists as to
exactly what paper should go in these bins. Here is the
information from their website at
www.paperretriever.com and from their Columbus area
manager.
YES, PUT
THESE IN THE PAPER BINS:
• Newspapers
and inserts, magazines, catalogs and
slick paper
• Office
and school papers
are highly recyclable. Staples are
not
a problem.
• Paperback
books
• Shredded
paper
is acceptable, but please bag the shreds.
• Mail
–
Most direct mail is printed on high quality recyclable
paper. Window envelopes are acceptable.
• Any
paper is acceptable as long as it is clean, dry and you
can tear it.
Don’t include if it has a coating that will not tear, or
if it is a type that will not break down in water.
NO
THANKS:
• No
cardboard.
Paper
Retriever supplies their
mills with the recycled fiber to create new newsprint.
Cardboard should not be
used
in making newsprint due to the excessive bleaching
required.
However, cardboard is a valuable recycling commodity and
should be recycled. The Solid Waste Authority of Central
Ohio accepts cardboard in their recycling dumpsters at
Kroger and Home Depot stores. See
www.swaco.org
for specific locations.
• No
food boxes.
Cereal boxes, other paper food containers, and retail
packaging should
be
recycled with cardboard.
• No
textbooks or hard cover books.
They
do not have the equipment to modify these types of
recyclables.
• No
phone books.
Phone
Books cannot be used
in
making newsprint. The fibers in the pages of the phone
book are in their smallest form and do not
contribute to the fiber needed for newsprint. Also, it
is very hard to
remove the ink from a phone book page.
However, phone books are a
valuable
recycling commodity and should be recycled.
• No
paper coated in wax,
such as some liquid cartons, cardboard, or paper cups.
• No
plastic.
• Wrapping
paper, tissue paper and sticky notes
are not
desirable, but don’t worry if some of these get into the
bin. |
