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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

It's different in Charlestown

I know that title could refer to many things but this time we're writing about recycling.


You have most likely received in the mail, and carefully read, the flyer on the new recycling procedures in RI. You've probably also stuck the magnet-reminder to your refrigerator.

And we published a general article, from ecoRI, about the single stream recycling on Monday here.

But it's certainly good to know that the rules are somewhat different if you take your recycling to the Collection Center here in Charlestown.


RI Resource Recovery makes a big point of telling you that you can mix all of your recyclables together - newspaper, plastics, cans, cardboard - all in one container.

But if you, like many, use our Collection Center in Charlestown you'll find that's not correct. When you arrive you will still find the same dumpsters to put your stuff in:
  • Paper
  • Glass, plastics and cans
  • "Hard plastics"
  • Cardboard
And you'll be told to keep them separate. The newspapers are still being put in the covered dumpsters to keep the paper from getting wet and dirty. That way it will be in the best condition when it arrives at the Johnston landfill.

You can bring all of the new types of glass and plastic that weren't accepted before: 
  • jars – mayo, peanut butter, jelly  
  • tubs – butter, ice cream, margarine  
  • plastic take out containers  
  • iced coffee cups  
  • yogurt containers 
  • plastic egg cartons  
They all go in the "glass, plastics and cans" dumpster.

If you hire a collection company to pick up your trash and recyclables you'll have to ask them what their new practice is. If they don't know what you mean by the word recyclables I suggest you look for a company that does.