Advanced Disposal Shares Recycling Tips
Recycling is a small way that everyone can help make a significant difference, both locally and worldwide. With new recycling carts being implemented soon in the City of Marshfield (READ MORE HERE), FOCUS talked with local refuse and recycling contractor Advanced Disposal to learn the do’s and don’t’s of this important practice.
“Although recycling is mandatory in Wisconsin by state law it is also important environmentally and economically to our community,” said Dale Marth, Municipal Manager at Advanced Disposal in Marshfield. “The cost to dispose of solid waste is higher than the cost of recycling, so by reducing the amount of material landfilled, recycling saves our local municipalities money at the same time it benefits our environment.”
Items that can be recycled in Marshfield include:
- Cardboard
- Paper
- Food boxes
- Beverage cans
- Food cans
- Glass bottles
- Jars (glass and plastic)
- Jugs
- Plastic bottles and caps
Though plastic bags and wraps, electronics, and textiles can be recycled, they cannot be put in the outside bin.
“The most common contaminants we see are electronics, Styrofoam packaging and plastic bags in the recycling,” said Marth. “There are also some containers that have a lot of food residue in them.”
It’s important to only recycle the proper items.
“Our recyclables are sorted by hand and by machine at a local material recovery facility. So extra effort is needed to make sure those items are removed or our end users could reject the materials,” explained Marth. “Markets accepting materials for recycling are shrinking and thus are getting more strict with the amount of contamination.”
Other common recycling mistakes include people trying to include the following items, which cannot be recycled, in their bins:
- Plastic grocery bags
- Take-out containers and donut boxes (can be if free of food waste)
- Polystyrene (styrofoam)
- Paper coffee cups
- Shredded paper (put in bag, otherwise it does not sort well)
- Pizza boxes (unless untarnished by grease or cheese!)
- Household glass (take lightbulbs to a hardware store)
- Wet paper
- Milk and juice cartons
- Baby diapers
- Aerosol cans
- Ceramics and pottery
- Paint, pesticides, automotive fluids, diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, and car batteries
- Automotive parts and scrap metal
- Hypodermic needles
“We do accept shredded paper but prefer that it be bagged or contained to prevent it from blowing around or mixing with other recyclables. Another option would be to bring it to our Marshfield facility on Hume Avenue,” said Marth. “We do accept aseptic packaging which is mostly juice containers and soup broth containers. That can go with the regular recycling.”
Those with any questions about recyclables or other related topics are welcome and encouraged to call Advanced Disposal (715-502-3565).
“Marshfield and central Wisconsin have done a great job of being leaders in recycling for over 25 years but we need to continue keep recycling a part of our daily routine for all generations,” said Marth. “That is why small improvements that make recycling easier like the carts in Marshfield are so important because it gives us a chance to re-educate residents on the importance of recycling.”
Discover more local recycling information – CLICK HERE.
