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...
Hey! Did you know aluminum foil can be recycled? However, if it’s not rinsed and clean, it can end up in a landfill. The best part is that aluminum foil is dishwasher safe and easily reusable.
Sources: http://ow.ly/jNJJ50EHy0a.
http://ow.ly/RoDq50EHy09
Cardboard shipping packages are recyclable! Always remember to break down the box before tossing into the recycling bin.
Happy Earth Day from the Recycling Squad! Together, we can all do our part, big or small, to increase Michigan’s recycling rate and in turn, help the planet. #EarthDay
I can’t bottle up my excitement for Earth Day tomorrow! Did you know that it takes a plastic bottle 400 years to decompose? Recycling gives new life to used items that would have ended up in a landfill. – Nyla P. Lastic #EarthDay
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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