I worked on the dock more than usual last week as we try to catch up after Christmas. It gave me opportunity to talk with people dropping off recyclables. These conversations in person or on Facebook help me understand a few things about what people need to know.
It started with pizza boxes.
Pizza boxes are made of corrugated cardboard which is recyclable if it is clean. If there are large stains or pizza stuck to them they are garbage. I saw some very clean ones from recent fundraisers as the pizza was on a foil pan. A paper under the pizza would also help. Both the pan and the paper cannot be recycled.
A board member posted on Facebook about pizza boxes and included a request to remove Styrofoam packing from cardboard boxes. It is not recyclable. Removing it slows down the baling process.
I commented that I like the packing pieces made from compressed paper as we can recycle them and they probably contain recycled paper.
The next comment asked about recycling envelopes that have plastic inside. Envelopes made of only paper even if they have a window are recyclable. Envelopes that are paper with plastic padding inside are not.
Anything made out of two materials such as paper and plastic or cardboard and tin like many coffee cans, are not recyclable. The only exception is juice boxes (tetra packs) which are recyclable.
The next comment stated “I know I have been sending you stuff I shouldn’t” with a very sad face.
I responded with “No worries. I am always glad for these conversations as they provide info people need.”
Please call 204 687 6169, email recycled@mymts.net or use Facebook to ask questions.