2012 Action Step: Recycle more!

Recycling in Rhode Island just got easier. Residents can now recycle more plastics! Disregard those little triangles and numbers. If it’s a plastic container- recycle it!  All recyclables will go into one bin, no sorting necessary. This is all part of the Recycle Together RI  program, from the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation’s new Materials Recycling Facility.

What does this program do? What can I recycle?

It’s very simple. If it is a plastic container designed to hold two gallons or less- recycle it! This means we can now recycle yogurt containers, margarine tubs, plastic drinking cups, take out containers, and much more. All the new recycled items cut costs on disposal and waste services. This can save RI millions of dollars!

All of your recyclables (glass, paper, and plastics) now can be put in one bin. The new machine will do the sorting for you! You do not need a new bin from your municipality. Throw everything you can into that bin.

Is there anything I can't recycle?

Yes - please do not use plastic bags to sort or place recyclables in the bin. It may be neat and tidy, but it can severely harm the new machines. It slows down production at the facility, as the items cannot be sorted if they are placed inside of bags. Let the machine do the sorting for you! Plastic shopping bags can and should be recycled, but not at this facility. Bring them to your local grocery store and return them there.

Other items that cannot be recycled include Styrofoam and hot beverage cups, broken glass, greasy pizza boxes, non-container plastics (toys, furniture, etc.) and refrigerated cardboard. Those plastics could be contaminated with chemicals that are not safe to reuse. Additionally, scrap metal and wire hangers are no longer accepted. Please return your scrap metal to a metal recycler or collector. You can be reimbursed for your metals!

What's in it for me?

Recycle Together RI is a great way for all communities to promote and encourage recycling. A faster, easier, method to recycling will hopefully draw more residents to recycle more goods. Towards the future, less tax dollars and land space will support landfills and be used towards a cleaner, healthier environment for all.