While most of you have been recycling for quite some time now, single-stream recycling might be a new concept.

 Just one bin is used for all recyclables.

 By using one bin for all recyclables  the ease and convenience of recycling is increased. All of the sorting that you did in the past will now be done by the recycling company. This means that more people will participate and more resources will be saved.  We’re making recycling easier for you.

Single-stream recycling offers more efficient collections. In the past the haulers normally had to run two recycling routes.  Now they will just run one. This decreases the costly part of the recycling program as well as decreases the pollution from the vehicles.

 One of the concerns about single-stream recycling is that one bin encourages people to put more than recyclables in it.  That’s why we need YOU— our educated conscientious recyclers to help make this new recycling method a success.

We ask that you continue to do your part to empty and rinse all of your containers to keep food contamination out of your bin. Please use the DPW’s chart on what can be recycled. Perhaps post the allowable recycling materials in your house near your bins to make the process easier for you, your family and your guests. If your neighbors are confused, help them.

Other communities have found that 50-70% of their waste has been diverted from landfills in part by switching to single-stream recycling.  Some notable cities include Denver, Tucson, Philadelphia and Dallas. 

Trash collection will now be once a week.  If you tend to have a lot of trash, take a look and see how much of that can be recycled.  You might just surprise yourself.