Recycling Program Expanded, Saving the Environment, and Taxpayers Money
By Michael Kozak, Oakland Environmental Commission Member
We now recycle all plastic type items. We also recycle all foam: packing foam, peanut shell foam, meat tray foam – any foam, any color. “This is another major step in moving more garbage out of the waste stream normally headed to a landfill, and now redirecting to a facility to make useful products”, explains Eugene MacMahon, Oakland Recycling coordinator. “Add any plastic or foam type items to your commingled metal, glass and plastic bin; it’s is that simple. Even your plastic patio table is recyclable, so set it out at the curb.”
The other big change is on the newspaper and cardboard recycling side. You now can add orange juice cartons, or any other juice or cardboard/wax type item to your paper pile.
The new additions to recycling will save tens of thousands of tax dollars, and save the environment. “Normally we pay $82 per ton to send trash to a dump site” explains Eugene MacMahon. “By diverting these new items to the recycling pickup, we send them to a company who pays us for the recyclable material. This will result in a big savings to the taxpayers once we get everyone complying. We need people to spread the word.”
Another newsletter was sent out to give you a full outline of the recycling items. Please tell you neighbors about the change so we can save taxpayers money, and save the environment. Have a question? Call DPW at 201-337-8103
Remember the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
It is so great to see my hometown expanding their recycling system. Next I would love to see a community organic compost system… do you think it is feasible?