What NOT to Put in Your BIn:
Contaminants in the Recycling Stream
Now that American's single stream recycling processing facility, The American Recycling Center, is up and running, we thought it was a good time to thank our customers for all the recyclables they collect! We also thought is was fitting to remind everyone what should NOT be put in your recycling bin. We call these items contaminants.
Contaminants are defined as items that de-value other single stream recyclables and/or destroy the machinery used at The American Recycling Center. Some of these items are recyclable elsewhere, and some must ALWAYS be disposed of as TRASH.
Please do NOT toss these into your recycling bin:
WHAT:
Plastic Bags & Films
- Grocery bags
- Bread bags
- Plastic shrink wrap packaging (such as the wrap on water bottle or bulk paper towel packs)
- Plastic wrap
- Collection bags (can liners)*
*Although collection bags are handy, we strongly prefer that our customers collect recyclables LOOSE in the bin, cart, or dumpster when possible.
WHY: Plastic bags and films wrap around the large rotating gears in the recycling sorting machinery, causing the entire American Recycling Center to shut down until they are removed!
HOW TO RECYCLE: Bag drop-off locations can be found at any neighborhood grocery store, Walmart of Target. Plastic bags and all types of films mentioned above can be recycled, but they must be separated from other single stream recyclables. They must go to another type of recycling facility made specifically for recycling plastic bags and films into high quality decking and benches!
*Good rule of thumb: If you can push your finger through it and it changes shape or pokes a hole, it is a FILM.
 WHAT: Diapers (Believe it or not, we HAVE seen them at our facility!)
WHY: Diapers (dirty OR clean) are NOT Recyclable! It is impossible to reclaim the paper used to make them. Additionally, any personal hygiene product soiled in human fluids pose a health risk to our employees.
HOW TO RECYCLE: Currently, there are no technologies available to recycle the paper and plastic used to make disposable diapers. Although there are compostable diapers available, for a slightly higher cost. And of course, the old fashioned cloth diapers are always an option, although most people find washing them while raising an infant to be too much trouble. Either way, disposable diapers remain TRASH. Please do NOT put these contaminants into your recycling bin.
 WHAT: Nuts, Bolts, Hangers (Small Scrap Metals)
WHY: Nuts, bolts and wire hangers jam and wrap around the sorting equipment used in our facility. The sorting machinery has a lot of spinning rotors. A bolt or hanger jamming any of these rotors can permanently damage the equipment. It can cause the facility to shut down and in some cases even cause a fire.
HOW TO RECYCLE: While we ask you to please keep all scrap metal OUT of your recycling bin, scrap metal is a valuable recyclable! We encourage you to set your scrap metal materials (nuts, bolts, hangers etc.) aside and take an occasional trip to a local metal recycler/scrap yard (you'll be paid for these items!). Earth911 provides a great directory of scrap yard facilities in your area.
WHAT: Chains & Cables
- Holiday Lights
- Wires
- Metal Chains
- Plastic/Wire Cables
WHY: Much like plastic bags and films, chains and cables wrap around the rotating gears and sorting equipment, damaging the machinery and causing the American Recycling Center to shut down.
HOW TO RECYCLE: Many of your local home improvement stores have collection programs for these items, and trade back programs for holiday lights. Check with your local Lowes or Home Depot and ask for the details.
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