During the holiday season food and gift shopping increases, and inevitably, so does the amount of trash and recycling. The Hudson Environmental Awareness Committee would like to remind residents of some recycling basics to make this season less wasteful.
Recycling markets currently are in a state of flux since China announced it will no longer accept certain recyclable materials from the United States. This decision quickly trickled down to affect what can and can’t be recycled in curbside pickup.
Empty plastic bottles and jugs still are being are accepted. This includes items like water and soda bottles, shampoo bottles, milk, water / juice jugs, laundry detergent jugs, and bleach bottles. They should be emptied, rinsed, and the lids removed. Clam shell containers, lids, and caps are no longer accepted. Additionally, under no circumstances should plastic bags or films be put in your curbside recycling because they can clog the sorting machines. Keep plastic bags and films separate and take them to one of several local drop off locations usually located in grocery stores and other retail establishments.
When it comes to paper and cardboard, broken down boxes, newspaper, office paper, mail, magazines, and cereal boxes are accepted. Do not put shredded paper in curbside recycling, as the sorting machines cannot capture the small fibers. Pizza boxes are not accepted because of contamination from grease.
Cartons like those used for milk, juice, soy or grain milk, stock/broth, and soup are accepted.
Cans are great for recycling. Regardless if they are aluminum or steel, they are both easy for recycling facilities to sort, and the material is easily reclaimed. Items like metal hangers, scrap metal, and pipes are not accepted at curbside, but can be taken to one of several local scrap yards.
In a recent development, glass is no longer being accepted curbside.
Regarding electronics and household hazardous waste, there are several options for proper disposal locally. These items should never be put in your curbside bin. Reworks has a location that is open in the summer for disposal of hazardous waste. Visit www.summitreworks.com for information about when they are open and what materials are accepted.
With the decorating and gift-giving season here, Christmas lights, toys, plastic packaging, tissue paper, ribbons, and many types of wrapping paper are not recyclable and should not be put in curbside bins. When in doubt, throw it out. Watch the video below from Republic Services for more details. (article continues below)
The City also offers the free Merry Mulch Program to recycle Christmas trees into mulch. City crews will pick up live Christmas Trees during the week of January 6 and again the week of January 20, 2019. Trees should be placed out on the tree lawn prior to the first day of each pickup week.
Finally, the Environmental Awareness Committee urges residents to reduce and reuse when and where possible. Phase out or eliminate single-use plastic items like grocery bags, drink cups, straws, and water bottles. Consider it a holiday gift to planet Earth!
For more information on recycling visit www.summitreworks.com or the Environmental Awareness Committee page.