Orem Recycling Schedule (2024)

FAQs

What is recycling etiquette? ›

While all bottles, cans and containers should be clean, dry and free of most food waste before you place them in your recycling container, they don't need to be spotless. The goal is to make sure they are clean enough to avoid contaminating other materials, like paper, or your un-lined kitchen recycling bin.

Recycling starts at home

Even if you don't have room for separate bins, recycling isn't difficult. For example, choose to store your paper or glassware in a recycling bag. This allows you to collect dry waste in one place without taking up too much space.

There are currently more than 2,600 MSW landfill sites in the US. On average, Americans throw away about 1,200 pounds of organic garbage each year. We only recycle about 67.2 million tons of a possible 267.8 million tons – less than a quarter of total MSW. The EPA estimates that around 75% of all waste is recyclable.

The sorting process

A vibrating machines separates the cardboard and paper - different types of paper are sorted by hand and then baled. The remaining recyclables continue on another conveyor where steel cans are removed using magnets. Different types of plastic are identified and separated using optical scanners.

Code 7 compostable — a.k.a. #7/PLA — indicates a plant-based resin that will degrade under certain conditions. Unfortunately, a landfill isn't one of them, though that's where most of them end up. They're not very “biodegradable” in the wild, either. In truth, few communities recycle any Code 7 plastics.

Labels and Recycling

However, most local recycling centers do not require that you remove labels from a product prior to tossing it in a recycling bin. Heat during the recycling process ensures that paper labels and glue are burned away from containers, whether they are cans, glass, or plastic bottles.

The four Rs - Rethink, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle - are a lifestyle for a sustainable future. ways to reuse items whenever possible; reduce consumption to reduce waste. Purchase only items that can be recycled.

The study ranked each state according to its recycling rate for CCPMs in 2018, with the 10 states with the best recycling rates comprising: Maine (72%); Vermont (62%); Massachusetts (55%); Oregon (55%); Connecticut (52%); New York (51%); Minnesota (49%); Michigan (48%); New Jersey (46%); and Iowa (44%).

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – these three 'R' words are an important part of sustainable living, as they help to cut down on the amount of waste we have to throw away.

What is a fun fact about recycling? ›

Every ton of recycled steel saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,000 pounds of coal, and 40 pounds of limestone. A 60-watt light bulb can be run for over a day on the amount of energy saved by recycling 1 pound of steel.

Examples of non-recyclable plastics include bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper and polycarbonate. Well known non-recyclable plastics include cling film and blister packaging.

Yes, you should always rinse out your recyclables before tossing them into your recycling bin or cart. A not-quite-empty milk jug or greasy pizza box will create a stinky, curdled science project inside the bin.

Putting the wrong items in your blue and green top bin contaminates your recycling and means none of it can be recycled and it has to be incinerated instead.

Rinse all plastics, tins, cans and glass. Don't squash plastic, tins and cans – squashing makes them harder for the machine to sort. Do flatten cardboard and break up large boxes. Place all recycling items loosely in your bin or bag so they can easily be collected or emptied.

Anything marked with a #6 should always go into the garbage. These are items like Solo Cups, plastic silverware and plastic packaging. All other numbers (#1-5 & #7), as long as they are a tub, jug or bottle can be placed in your recycle bin.