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
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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...
When you recycle, you can be thankful that you’re doing your part to help the environment.
Recycling workers celebrate the holidays, too! Check your local waste provider/recycler for special holiday hours or instructions.
If I can't recycle something curbside, what can I do?
ANSWER: Check out these other resources to find additional recycling locations: http://ow.ly/qHZH50GMC22
Please keep recyclables out of plastic bags. The bags can get tangled in the recycling machines. Some curbside recycling programs accept plastic bags, others do not. So, keep them loose in your bins! Check out this handy recycling rules tip sheet now! http://ow.ly/svFv50GMCKE
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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