Responsible recycling

Apartment residents have placed several improper items in this recycling barrel, including a large plastic bag, plastic bubble wrap and heavy plastic binding tape.

This barrel contains several banned plastic bags and contaminated food trays.

This paper bag was dropped in a recycling barrel clearly marked for bottles and cans. It contained several pieces of fabric and a small potted plant.

I’m familiar with the recycling operations of two apartment buildings. One of the main problems in both buildings involves residents continually putting improper items in the recycling barrels. Although the barrels are clearly marked, residents disregard the instructions and contaminate the recycling. The only way this can be improved is with an ongoing educational process. As a recycling volunteer in my building, I monitor our recycling rooms and remove as many unwanted items as possible. The use of informative signage in the recycling area would go a long way in helping to improve this situation. I don’t have a problem with people who don’t recycle, I wish they would, but it’s their choice. I do have a problem with people who contaminate the recycling. Recyclers need to learn to recycle responsibly. And I think it’s the responsibility of building management to help educate their tenants.