Recycling Tips From The Leading Expert In Manassas
On Friday, January 19th the Clubhouse was visited by Monica Boehringer, Refuse and Recycling Coordinator for the City of Manassas. She was there to talk to residents about the importance of recycling in this day and age. Mixing hard facts with humor Ms Boehringer, who has been a Manassas resident for the last 10 years and who has guided the City to the top honors in municipal recycling, went through a list of do's and don't's about what should should not be placed in The Gatherings' recycle bins.
For example, she said, if you are doubtful of what type of plastic should be recycled just give the container a flick with your finger. If it thumps it is recyclable. Any other sound qualifies it for the trash. If it's made of Styrofoam it definitely goes in the trash. When it comes to empty peanut butter or mayonnaise jars they should be washed out until they are clean before they are thrown in the recycle bin. As a matter of fact all containers should be clean before being salvaged. Soup cans, empty milk cartons and plastic medicine bottles should also be cleaned. So should any pump bottles with cleaning liquids or other chemicals. If you have cans that have been pressurized with aerosol they too should be emptied before recycling lest they explode during processing. The thin plastic bags in which your groceries are packed should be saved separately and returned to grocery stores like Giant and Harris Teeter. They have bins outside to collect these bags. Other items that should be returned to the supermarkets are the thin plastic wrappings that keep bread and other foods fresh.
Also included on this "Don't recycle" list are the plastic sleeves that contain the morning paper and the takeout trays from fast food restaurants. Ms Boehringer said these thin plastic wraps get caught in the machines that sort the recyclables and force them to be shut down for a considerable time period. When it comes to burnt-out light bulbs Home Depot will take them from you. However, fluorescent bulbs which can emit a poisonous powder of they break, should be turned into the recycle depots operated by the the City on the days they collect hazardous waste. That waste might also include lithium based batteries.
Do not put plastic trash bags or other plastic bags in the recycling containers. Either dump the items to be recycled into the recycling containers and put the plastic trash bag or other plastic bag in one of the trash containers or just put the plastic trash bag or other plastic bag and its contents into one of the trash containers.
The City of Manassas can levy fines for non-compliance.
Click on any photo to enlarge it.
For example, she said, if you are doubtful of what type of plastic should be recycled just give the container a flick with your finger. If it thumps it is recyclable. Any other sound qualifies it for the trash. If it's made of Styrofoam it definitely goes in the trash. When it comes to empty peanut butter or mayonnaise jars they should be washed out until they are clean before they are thrown in the recycle bin. As a matter of fact all containers should be clean before being salvaged. Soup cans, empty milk cartons and plastic medicine bottles should also be cleaned. So should any pump bottles with cleaning liquids or other chemicals. If you have cans that have been pressurized with aerosol they too should be emptied before recycling lest they explode during processing. The thin plastic bags in which your groceries are packed should be saved separately and returned to grocery stores like Giant and Harris Teeter. They have bins outside to collect these bags. Other items that should be returned to the supermarkets are the thin plastic wrappings that keep bread and other foods fresh.
Also included on this "Don't recycle" list are the plastic sleeves that contain the morning paper and the takeout trays from fast food restaurants. Ms Boehringer said these thin plastic wraps get caught in the machines that sort the recyclables and force them to be shut down for a considerable time period. When it comes to burnt-out light bulbs Home Depot will take them from you. However, fluorescent bulbs which can emit a poisonous powder of they break, should be turned into the recycle depots operated by the the City on the days they collect hazardous waste. That waste might also include lithium based batteries.
Do not put plastic trash bags or other plastic bags in the recycling containers. Either dump the items to be recycled into the recycling containers and put the plastic trash bag or other plastic bag in one of the trash containers or just put the plastic trash bag or other plastic bag and its contents into one of the trash containers.
The City of Manassas can levy fines for non-compliance.
Click on any photo to enlarge it.
The hour Ms Boehringer spent with residents turned out to be highly informative and indicated how seriously she and the City have constructively approached the problem of what to do with the mounting waste our society produces each day. We thank her for her time and the valuable information she shared with us.
Please visit the website maintained by the Manassas Department of Public Works to find out more about the many ways our city is working to stay beautiful and safe and what part you can play in aiding this effort. Click here ►
Editor's Note: Along with some bright green bags to carry recycled grocery bags back to the store Ms Boehringer also gave the attending residents some written information about recycling.
Please visit the website maintained by the Manassas Department of Public Works to find out more about the many ways our city is working to stay beautiful and safe and what part you can play in aiding this effort. Click here ►
Editor's Note: Along with some bright green bags to carry recycled grocery bags back to the store Ms Boehringer also gave the attending residents some written information about recycling.
