Recycling Contamination Has Real Consequences

Recently, a collection truck had to be taken out of service after materials that do not belong in the recycling stream were placed inside a residential recycling cart. The issue was only discovered during the collection process when compacting the material, causing a spill inside and outside the collection truck.

Situations like this don’t just affect equipment. They can create serious safety risks for collection crews, lead to service delays, and contaminate otherwise recyclable materials.

Even small amounts of hazardous or non-recyclable waste can have a significant impact on the entire recycling system.

Items such as used oil, paint, chemicals, batteries, electronics, and fluorescent lighting require special handling and should never be placed in recycling carts.

Proper disposal options are available, and residents can find approved drop-off locations through the Product Care Recycling Locator: https://www.productcare.org/recycling-locator/

For more information on what you can and can’t recycle, visit the following link and navigate to the “Recycling Accepted Materials” drop down: https://weststpaul.com/garbage-recyclingyard-waste

Thank you for helping keep our recycling program safe, efficient, and sustainable for everyone.