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.
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?
The Recycling Raccoon Squad – a highly motivated band of masked recycling experts who are going to help Michigan recycle better. Meet your squad…
“No photos please. Just a Recycling Raccoon doing her job.”
All this clean, shiny glass is mesmerizing, but some of it might not be recyclable in certain areas around Michigan. It’s important to check with your local recycler to learn what they do and don’t accept. #KnowItBeforeYouThrowIt
My face when I see someone put a glass cooking container in the recycling bin. Always remember glass containers used for cooking, such as Pyrex, are not accepted. #KnowItBeforeYouThrowIt
Want to learn even more recycling rules and best practices? Download and print our free Recycling Raccoons reference sheet at https://t.co/zxNB9lR9HD.
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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