Our Response: NY TIMES “Great Recycling Con” Video

Recycling Rules

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This video explains the problem the recycling industry is facing.

Key takeaways:

  • Package labeling makes recycling confusing. Companies can get away with stamping recycling symbols on items that can’t be recycled: “We need companies to stop hiding behind their green marketing ploys and actually deal with the plastic crisis they created”
  • Plastic is the biggest culprit. You cannot recycle all types of plastics, even if the recycling symbol is shown on the label: “What we really need is the FTC to write some clear regulations and introduce costly penalties”
  • Individuals do not bear ALL of the responsibility… but we do bear some. We need to recycle what we can and avoid buying what we can’t: “Please keep recycling stuff that’s recyclable…the best thing we can really do is start buying as if nothing gets recycled”
  • Do your research on what can actually be recycled. The types of items that are accepted vary from community to community. It all depends on the location of material processors (like paper mills, plastic recyclers, glass processors etc) in relation to the recovery facility where material is collected and sorted (like Millennium), as well as what material requirements each processor has in place. Perfect example: Millennium accepts the cartons and plastic tub shown as a no in the video that Oregon does not accept… always check local! As innovation continues to grow in the recycling industry, the types of materials that can be recycled will also expand, but in the meantime, please follow your local rules and do what you can to help the process, not hurt it.

 

What you CAN recycle in your mixed recycling bin in Sioux Falls and surrounding communities:

[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”MIXED RECYCLING BIN – YES LIST” align=”center” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-thumbs-up” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.millenniumrecycling.com%2Fsinglestream%2F|||”][vc_column_text]If something is not on the mixed recycling list, check with other local processors to see if they have a disposal option. The mixed bin is not a magical catch-all, many different companies and organizations work together to divert material from the landfill and protect our environment: CITY RECYCLING DIRECTORY[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]