Did you know Recycling can get CONTAMINATED???
Please learn what you can recycle and what is best to throw in the trash can to keep waste hauling workers, and Material Recovery Facility workers safe. Remember, they are people who have the same right to workplace safety as you do.
Millennium Recycling in Sioux Falls receives all the recyclables collected in Lyon County. From there, sorted and processed recyclables are shipped to end markets as feedstock in the manufacture of new products. On my visit I witnessed firsthand examples of the "wrong stuff" that gets put in recycling carts.
Two cases in point;
1) One of the loads from Lyon County contained quite a few needles/sharps and other medical items such as bags and tubes.
We know that contamination is a big headache for collection providers, and also for the Material Recovery Facility as it can cause lower production rates; damaged equipment and degradation of quality of the acceptable materials. But the biggest concern is to the employees who work at these facilities that are being exposed to health and safety hazards caused by the unacceptable items.
Examples of things that are unacceptable and safety/health hazards are: medical waste of any kind including sharps; any type of gaseous containers, e.g. propane/oxygen/helium canisters; knives hoses/cords; diapers; etc.
2) Some material such as plastic bags are a huge problem for recycling sorting facilities like Millennium. Its no different than farm equipment such as a combine gets plastic bags wrapped up in the gears - it halts the harvest. The same is true for the Material Recovery Facility when things like plastic bags, diapers, wire hangers, medical waste, etc. get past the workers. And of course there’s that yuck factor if it happens to be say something like a diaper.
If you have a chance watch a short (34 seconds) clip regarding contamination at www.youtube.com/watch?v=83sYHe3jdGA It’s part of Rhode Island’s recycling program information. Good title - Recycle Better to Keep Our Workers Safe – and a good idea!
Please learn what you can recycle and what is best to throw in the trash can to keep waste hauling workers, and Material Recovery Facility workers safe. Remember, they are people who have the same right to workplace safety as you do.
In addition to curbside recycling, Recycling Drop-off Containers are currently available for all County Residents at the following locations. (NOTE: Businesses are not allowed to utilize recycling sheds or containers)