The Qs and As of the recycling program

Do you sometimes find yourself standing over your blue bags wondering "Where the heck does this go?" Don't worry, you're not alone.
This little Q&A will help clarify some of the common questions we receive on the Helpline on a daily basis. If you're question isn't listed here, feel free to call the Helpline at 895-4777 or visit www.colchester.ca for more info.

Q: I put all of my recyclables into one blue bag and it was rejected. Why?
A: Our collection and processing system within Colchester County is called a two stream recycling process. This means that recyclables must be sorted into two separate bags. Paper and paper products should be placed in Bag No. 1. This can include newspapers, magazines, cereal boxes, paper towel cores and so on. Remember, paper must be clean and dry to be recycled. Did you know for every tonne of paper that is recycled, we save 17 trees from being cut down?
Bag No. 2 is reserved for household containers including bottles, jars, plastic bags, metal cans and containers with the numbers 1 through 7 on them. Recyclable containers should be rinsed clean with the caps removed in order to be properly recycled.
Bag No. 1 and No. 2 are placed in separate compartments within the collection truck and are kept separate throughout the entire process when they arrive at the recycling facility.

Q: Can I recycle Styrofoam?
A: No, Styrofoam (even if it has the recycling symbol on it) is not recyclable and should be placed in the regular garbage. It is such a lightweight material that that it is not economically viable to transport it to an appropriate recycling facility. The emissions created through the transport of it would outweigh the environmental benefit of recycling it. The best alternative you can try at this point is to avoid purchasing products packaged or made from Styrofoam.
Q: Which blue bag do milk cartons go in?
A: Although milk cartons are made from a high quality paper, they are considered a container. Therefore, all milk, beverage and plastic containers go together in Bag No. 2. Don't forget to rinse your milk cartons before recycling and remember to place the caps in the garbage.

Q: Can I recycle old photographs?
A: Unfortunately, photographs are not recyclable and should be placed in your regular garbage for disposal. Try to use up those old classic family photos in a scrapbook before deciding to toss them out.

Q: What do I do with used syringes and needles?
A: Needles and syringes are not recyclable and should never be placed in your blue bags for recycling. You can obtain a safe sharps container from your pharmacist for proper handling and disposal. If you are filling your own rigid, plastic container with used sharps, then the container is no longer recyclable. All of the material that arrives at our recycling facility is hand sorted by our employees. We have had employees stuck with needles in recent years. This can have lifelong consequences for these employees and is a cause of stress. Attempting to recycle needles or any other medical waste is a very dangerous practice for the collection and recyclables processing staff.

Q: Can I recycle broken glass?
A: Broken glass such as dishes, light bulbs and decorations go in the regular garbage. If you break a bottle that you would normally place in your blue bag, it should be placed in the regular garbage also. Try to place broken glass in a container that is sealed before placing it in your garbage bag. This will protect the collection and processing staff from injury and will also keep your bag from being cut open.
Before placing anything in your blue bags, remember that paper products must be placed in a separate bag from container recyclables. Paper must be clean and dry to be recycled and containers must be rinsed with the caps removed. Following these simple rules of thumb will help ensure that your recyclables are picked up each and every recycling day.
Our collective efforts help to protect the local environment and economy.

Deborah Searle is the environment and education officer for the County of Colchester.