CLEARFIELD– Recycling contamination is even more of an issue today as one of the largest buyers of U.S. recycling commodities, China, has stopped purchasing much of our materials and what they do buy must be free of contamination (less than .5%).
Clearfield County recycling sites have realized contamination rates at an average of 2.5% and as high as 14 %. Many recyclers are now faced with a glut of materials as a domestic market demand does not exist to address the current supply of collected recyclables and as such the market value has significantly decreased.
The Clearfield County Solid Waste Authority wants the public to be aware of the consequences of contamination and ask that residents strictly adhere to the requirements of the county recycling program. Sites have detailed flyers of what can and cannot be recycled in an onsite brochure rack. They are also available on line here.
Purposely disposing of non-recyclable materials at our sites is considered illegal dumping and violators will be prosecuted. Surveillance cameras are routinely placed at sites to monitor abuse.
Here are the:top contamination issues according to the CCSWA:
- Non-Recyclable Plastics. Many plastics are still not recyclable. Plastic lids, foam (Styrofoam®) and any other plastics not listed in our recycling guidelines are not recyclable because stable markets do not exist for these materials. ONLY plastic bottles, jars and jugs are accepted.
- Non-Recyclable Glass. Recyclable glass refers to “container” glass — that is, bottles and jars. Ceramic, china, dishes, mirrors, light bulbs, Pyrex®, porcelain and window/plate glass should NOT go in the bin! Their different melting points and chemical compositions will ruin new glass bottles. If the buyer sees just one of these on the top of a load of glass, the entire load could be rejected.
- Plastic Bags. No plastic bags in plastics recycling bins. Also please remove and reuse plastic bags if used to transport your recyclables. Workers have to slow the conveyor belts to rip open bags that contain recyclables and then add the bag to the heap of bags bound for the landfill. These inefficiencies waste time and money.
For additional information please call the Clearfield County Solid Waste Authority office at (814) 765-5149.
