Considerable cloudiness. High 78F. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 mph..
Partly cloudy skies. Low around 70F. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 mph.
STATEWIDE — U.S. manufacturers rely on recycled materials to create the new shipping boxes, toilet paper and tissues, and aluminum cans and bottles that keep the supply chain moving. While people across the nation have gotten into the recycling habit since the first Earth Day in 1970, approximately 25% of what they place curbside is non-recyclable material that contaminates the good recyclables and adds to the cost of recycling. In Florida that number is as high as 40% in some areas.
“This Earth Day, we want to encourage all Floridians to Recycle Right to help keep recycling both environmentally and economically sustainable,” said Dawn McCormick, Director of Communications for Waste Management Inc. of Florida. “Unfortunately, too many residents ‘wishcycle’ and put things in their carts that can’t be recycled curbside. In our recycling facilities, we’ve seen everything from bowling balls to propane tanks, but the most common culprits of non-recyclable contaminants are food and liquid, clothes and carpet, disposable diapers, garden hoses and ropes, and plastic bags. These items contaminate everything in the cart and make recycling more expensive.”
Recycling right has never been more important as some store shelves remain unstocked. The American Forest and Paper Association notes that in 2020, 88% of U.S. mills that produce tissue paper relied on some recycled paper to make new products and nearly half of recycled paper went into making containerboard for new cardboard boxes.
Ms. McCormick recommends recycling clean, dry and empty shipping boxes without inside packing materials; paper products including newspapers, junk mail, and office/school paper; and paperboard such as cereal and cracker boxes.
Consumers should also recycle empty plastic bottles, jugs and tubs; steel, tin and aluminum cans; and glass bottles/jars. A recycled aluminum can will be back on the store shelf in 90 days, and by using recycled plastic, American product manufacturers save enough energy each year to power a city of one million homes for three and a half years.
Ms. McCormick hopes this Earth Day on April 22 everyone will Recycle Right and keep the following items out of their curbside recycling containers:
· Plastic bags and plastic film; and DO NOT bag your recyclables
· Lithium ion batteries or rechargeable batteries
· Hoses, cords, polystyrene foam and other packaging
· Used diapers, facial tissues, napkins and paper towels
· Disinfectant wipes, plastic, latex and cloth disposable gloves, and disposable masks
· Liquid soap and hand sanitizer bottles that contain residue
·Clothes, coat hangers and fabric items
·Disposable plates, cups and cutlery
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