Single Stream Recycling.

Many townships and some cities have begun using this new method for recyclable sorting. "Single stream" means the consumer does not have to sort in advance, instead all recyclables go into a single collection container and a single truck. The sorting begins with the service collector. As the bin is dumped into the truck, (s)he will pull out anything that is obviously not recyclable and leave it in the bin or throw to the garbage if it has not yet been collected.

At the processing facility a combination of human efforts and mechanical seperators are used to ensure that everything is sent to the proper collection pile. Paper, cardboard, tin/steel, aluminum, clear plastics, colored plastics, clear glass and colored glass all go different directions. I know many people believe that if the recyclables go into one truck they must just go to the dump. Well, I have seen the facility my town uses and it really does work. I am not sure if it is really cost effective(yet), but it is good none-the-less.

So, when you feed the cat or make the chili or eat the last donut, toss the container in the recycling bin, not the garbage. It will reduce landfill usage and new materials required for future containers.

Thanks,
-Joe