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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Rinse and empty all plastics, glass and metal containers.
Basically, if you recycle something that’s not rinsed and empty, you could get other items dirty on the way to the recycling center. This could ruin a whole truckload of recyclables – not just yours – with the whole load ending up in a landfill. The good news is recycling right is easy! Keep it simple. Keep it clean. Empty, rinse, recycle, repeat – for all plastic, glass and metal.
Break down and flatten all cardboard.
Cardboard boxes that aren’t flat or broken down take up a lot of space in a recycling container and in the recycling collection truck. Bulky boxes create voids and air spaces, which ultimately increase the number of pickups required and lower the efficiency of the recycling center. 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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TRASH? In a recycling bin?! It must be April Fools’ Day, because trash and recycling definitely do not mix. #KnowItBeforeYouThrowIt and keep your curbside recycling clean and free of trash and food scraps! – Frank #MIRecycles
As much as I love licking plastic spoons clean, they are not recyclable curbside. Whether they’re spoons, forks, knifes or sporks – keep em’ out of your curbside bin. #MIRecycles
As an expert in odd recyclables, spring cleaning is one of my specialties! While things like Styrofoam, spray cans and lightbulbs are not recyclable curbside, there are many drop-off locations across the state. Find one near you at https://tinyurl.com/wowbwkv. #MIRecycles
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Let’s celebrate going green today by keeping trash out of curbside recycling and rinsing and emptying containers before recycling them. #StPatricksDay #MIRecycles
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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