Say hello to the Recycling Raccoon Squad
Hey, neighbor! We are the Recycling Raccoon Squad. Our mission is to help Michigan recycle better, smarter, more efficiently and more adorably. (We’ll handle that last one if you want.) To accomplish our mission, we have created a clear set of simple rules for you to follow that will help you become the best of the best at recycling.
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Empty, rinse, recycle your plastic, glass and metal containers.
Basically, if you recycle something that’s not rinsed and empty, other items get contaminated. This could ruin a whole truckload of recyclables with the whole load ending up in a landfill. Keep it simple. Empty, rinse, recycle your plastic, glass and metal containers.
Break down and flatten all cardboard.
Cardboard boxes that aren’t flat or broken down take up a lot of space in the recycling collection truck, which ultimately increases the number of pickups required. So, the rule is: Break down and flatten all cardboard.
Don’t put your recyclables in plastic bags.
Jamming all your recyclables into a plastic grocery bag or garbage bag is not cool. Most curbside recycling programs don’t accept plastic bags – whether by themselves or full of other recyclables. Even worse, the bags can get tangled in the machines at your local recycling center. So, be sure to put your recyclables loose in your cart or bin.
Test Your Knowledge
Latest News
Metal recycling in southeast Michigan takes many shapes
For professional artist Chris Nesbitt, conversations about metal can get heavy, sometimes into the hundreds of pounds. Read more...
What happens to plastic after it’s recycled?
Every day, you likely use all kinds of plastic - everything from water bottles to containers, and you may be recycling them, but are you doing it right? Read more...
It’s time to test your recycling know-how on Trivia Tuesday. Can frozen food cardboard packaging be recycled? Visit http://ow.ly/4sKG50F7w7p to learn more about cardboard recycling rules.
Waste and recycling workers work hard every day in rain, snow, cold and heat to keep our environment safe. Let's show them some appreciation for Waste and Recycling Worker's Week. #WasteRecyclingWorkersWeek
Happy World Ocean Day from the Recycling Raccoon Squad! We can all do our part to keep plastic out of our oceans and preserve them for generations to come.
Today is World Environment Day! Small changes can make a big impact. Riding your bike to work or school, picking up trash, recycling, or trying out composting (http://ow.ly/GmY650F3lvn) are all easy ways to help the environment.
Join the Squad!
Help Michigan become a leader in recycling again. Join the squad today. You don’t need to be a raccoon – you just need to sign up!
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