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Date: 9/11/2019
Question: Can I recycle red or blue solo cups?
Answer: Solo cups are made out of number six plastic called polystyrene, the same type of plastic that toys, and Styrofoam are made out of. In Western Massachusetts, our local recycling facility does not accept this type of plastic. However, you do have some options. There is a company called Terracycle that does recycle Solo cups and other types are plastics that are hard to recycle. They offer a program where you can buy a box and once you fill it, it’s picked up to be recycled. They offer recycling for many different types of hard to recycle items. The other option you have is to not buy Solo cups. Encourage teams to bring their own water bottles or use glasses at home parties. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Question: Can I put all my bottles and cans in a plastic bag for collection or should I put them directly into my recycling bin?
Answer: You should put all recyclables, directly in the containers you set out for collection. Recyclables will not get recycled if they are bagged. When your recyclables arrive at the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Springfield, they are dumped and then loaded onto a conveyor belt. The workers grab items and put them with their type of plastic, metal, or glass in separate areas. A gigantic magnet is then waved over these collection areas to make sure no pieces of metal were accidentally placed with the plastics or glass. Then all the product is baled and sold to a variety of companies. If your containers arrive at the MRF in a plastic bag, the workers do not have the time to empty each bag, nor do they want to collect thousands of bags for trash.The bags also clog the machines and causes production to stop. Because we pay to get rid of trash and we are paid for our recycling, it is beneficial for towns to keep our recycling bag free and clean. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
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Elizabeth Bone
Special To Reminder Publishing
Elizabeth Bone is the Recycling Coordinator for the Town of East Longmeadow. To ask your recycling questions, send her an email at elizabeth.bone@eastlongmeadowma.gov.