“Single-stream” recycling will begin in Oakland on August 1, 2012, according to Oakland council member Sandra Coira who announced the new process in her DPW liaison report at the July 11th council meeting..
“What goes out this week?” “Is it paper or plastic this week?” These questions will soon become antiquated with the implementation of single-stream recycling.
This process will eliminate the need for residents to presort their recyclables; they would combine all material–paper, cans, plastic, glass–for pick up. These unsorted materials would then be picked up by one truck.
The single-stream system usually results in an increase in recycling by residents. Besides being environmentally responsible, this would also reduce the amount of solid waste being carted away.
From the Borough:
Borough of Oakland
IMPORTANT SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING STARTS AUGUST 1, 2012
ALL PAPER/CARDBOARD AND COMMINGLED RECYCLABLES
WILL BE PICKED UP
EVERY WEDNESDAY OF THE YEAR.
The Borough is pleased to announce that it will be moving to ‘single stream’ recycling service beginning Wednesday, August 1, 2012.
Single stream recycling is a process in which all curbside recyclable materials are placed unsorted in the same recycling barrel for pick-up. Cans, bottles and plastic are recycled together with paper and cardboard. There will no longer be separate pickups for co-mingled and paper materials and no need to store these materials for two weeks between pickups! All curbside recyclables will now be picked up every week. We eliminate the need for sorting while you go green. Recycling is easier than ever! In addition, thanks to the new contract pricing with our vendor, this enhanced service will cost less too.
Recycling has numerous benefits for you and your neighbors:
- Generate revenue for the Borough as Oakland gets paid for its recyclable materials tonnage and earns grant funding. Recycling reduces the amount of trash going to the landfill and is good for the environment Oakland saves money by paying to send less garbage to landfills Many towns have shown an increase in their recycling program participation and recycling rates after adopting single stream recycling
The types of materials that are collected will not change. For curbside pickup the following are accepted:
- Mixed Paper (newspaper, magazines, junk mail, office and shredded paper, etc) Flattened Cardboard Boxes of All Types Including Pizza Boxes Plastic Containers and Bags (all grades #1-7, and solid plastic and Styrofoam) Glass Bottles and Jars Metal and Aluminum Cans (soda cans, pet food cans, soup cans, etc) Wax Coated Containers and Tetra Pak
Materials NOT accepted include mirrors, window or auto glass, light bulbs, ceramics, dishes, wire, paint cans, tar pails, electrical equipment, general household items, etc. For specific recycling questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at 201-337-8104.
Practice the 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Every barrel counts!
Thank you Councilwoman Coira!
Why didn’t this happen eight years ago? I’m embarassed.
Love it!
Great! Better late than never.
It’s about time. I can now put my empty Bud cans back in the cardboard carrier it came in. Hallelujah.
My parents were provided very large receptacle by the town at no cost so that they could put their paper and can/plastics in one bin. I either still have to buy a new giant “garbage” can or I still have to keep doing things the way I do them. I don’t see any difference.
Not that I’m cheap I just know other towns have been doing this and provide the receptacle.
Robert, what is your problem? Most people throw their bottles and cans in an outdoor container while keeping their cardboard and paper dry in a box inside. The advantage is you can now put both out at the curb on every Wednesdays.
Sam, Put them in a big pile at the street. Single stream is a dream, finally something the town is doing to help our quality of life. Thank you Sandra!
Amos, I think you missed the point I was trying to make. It would be nice to have one large container to put all your recycleables in but remember, if it doesn’t have wheels and a cover it’s going to be very heavy to carry to the curb. Also, if you allow the paper to get wet besides being heavy it also smells.
Thank you Sandra ( I wish you were a Republican). This is something that my party missed. Since bears have been going through our bottles and cans, I can now cover them with cardboard and newspapers. Great job — I wish my guys thought of that idea.