On a monthly average, the City of Peoria’s Public Works Department receives 35 requests for recycling carts from residents, but what the city really pushes is making sure that when people do recycle, they’re recycling right.

Other than putting the correct plastics in a recycling bin, it’s also crucial to rinse out containers, including laundry detergent and milk jugs, to avoid contamination.

“The dangers of recycling contamination are exactly that, it can really ruin an entire batch of recyclable material,” said department spokesperson Nick McMillion.

Many different types of materials can be recycled, such as cardboard, glass, and aluminum cans, but what recycling companies see too often are soiled recyclables still being thrown in recycling bins.

“People like to think, ‘Oh, it’s cardboard, let me just toss it right into my recycling bin, it’s a pizza box from last night’s pizza party,’ although it is cardboard and cardboard is a great recyclable material, once it’s stained with food materials such as grease or cheese, that is no longer recyclable,” McMillion said.

Items like electronics and liquid chemicals, including motor oil and cleaning supplies, can be recycled as well. However, those items also pose a risk of contamination if mixed with other recyclables.

To avoid that, local autobody shops and city companies have specific drop-off locations.

Other than liquid, electronic waste, and soiled materials, everything can be combined into the same recycling container for pickup.

Recycling services are free for people living in the city. Peoria Public Works has a website to request a bin and find your designated pick-up day.

Courtesy : Jamestownsun.com