News

Feb 28, 2024

Recycling: Drop

I like to check in with the recycling collection crew periodically to gather ideas for my recycling column. They are the boots on the ground and continue to provide suggestions and tips that I can

I like to check in with the recycling collection crew periodically to gather ideas for my recycling column. They are the boots on the ground and continue to provide suggestions and tips that I can relay to our residents. Please see some of the latest reminders that our crew has asked me to share.

Do not leave items outside of recycling drop-off containers

This has been happening a lot lately. A resident will go to one of our many recycling drop-off containers and leave their recyclables sitting outside of the bin without checking to see if there is room inside. This causes others to do the same thing until there is a pile up of items surrounding the container. We really do try our best to keep our containers empty so this won’t continue to happen. If you notice a bin is full and items are left outside, give our office a call or send us an email and we will get to it ASAP!

Do not put plastic bags in drop-off recycling containers

When using our drop-off recycling containers, place items in the containers loose. Please do not put bagged items in the containers. In addition, do not put bags of bags in our recycling containers. The only time plastic bags should be used is for containing shredded paper in the drop off bins and curbside recycling; we ask that all paper is bagged/bundled curbside.

Paper items should be bagged or bundled for curbside collection

As stated above, all mixed paper, newspaper, paperboard, office paper, magazines, etc., should be bagged or bundled together and placed in your curbside recycling bin. Bagging/bundling paper prevents litter and facilitates collection. All other items, such as plastic bottles, jugs and jars, metal cans and glass bottles can be placed in curbside recycling bins loose. Corrugated cardboard should be flattened and placed next to or under your recycling bin.

Do not place corrugated cardboard in blue recycling carts

Many businesses, apartments, townhomes, schools, etc., use large blue carts for recycling. These carts are usually placed in a cluster and are labeled for individual items. Corrugated cardboard should never be placed in any of the blue carts, even if broken down and flattened. Corrugated cardboard gets stuck in the blue carts and causes many issues both for the driver and the collection truck. Please use a nearby corrugated cardboard recycling container to recycle cardboard. Visit www.centrecountyrecycles.org for a list of corrugated cardboard recycling locations.

Not sure what to do? Ask!

If you are not sure about where or how to recycle properly in Centre County, we are here to help. I answer questions daily from residents and try to help them. No question is to simple or complex. I will try my best to answer everyone and explain the best I can. We also have a website full of information as well as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages (follow us!). You can also download our new Recycle Coach app!

As always, thanks for recycling!

Amy Schirf is education coordinator for the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority. Contact her at [email protected].