BAY VILLAGE, Ohio -- Recycling in Cuyahoga County has become complicated. In a previous story, this reporter reflected on some of the frustrations people who care about recycling are facing.
It seems so much has changed so fast recently that it’s seriously confusing. And what does a confused mind do? Nothing.
So, this reporter signed up for a webinar from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District: “Recycle Right in Cuyahoga County.” The district’s Carin Miller hosted the Zoom meeting to help clarify recycling matters.
The webinar was well worth the time.
We learned that, no, the berry containers from grocery stores, as well as very tiny things like the plastic tags frequently used to secure a loaf of bread, are not recyclable.
We learned that, yes, it is true that a great deal of the changes in how we recycle are because China no longer wants to accept our materials, as they had been doing for years.
Miller said China’s national police, in 2018, banned 24 types of scrap materials and set strict contamination limits on other items. Prior to that time, 70 percent of mixed paper and 58 percent of mixed plastic collected in the United States went to China and was used for products they manufactured.
The sad, final part to all of this is that tons of items that used to be recyclable are now being dumped in landfills.
Currently, Miller said, Cuyahoga County picks up 2.7 million tons of items that people think can be recycled. Half of that goes to the landfill now, with only 43 percent being recycled due to trouble finding markets for them. Some items go into composting.
Another interesting fact is that there are no active landfills in Cuyahoga County. None. Miller said the closest ones to the west shore communities are in Lorain and Richland counties, then out east in Lake County and beyond.
So here are a couple of bottom lines when it comes to proper recycling:
There are only five categories of items we can now recycle: aluminum cans, cartons (like milk or juice cartons), glass (but no Pyrex!), paper, cardboard boxes, and plastic bottles and jugs. Bottles, cans and cartons should be emptied and rinsed. Also, replace the cap so that it doesn’t gum up the automated sorters.
Throw everything else in the trash.
The big no-no’s include Styrofoam, hoses, ropes, durable (hard) plastics, plastic cups, lids and utensils, plus broken ceramics. Also, no aluminum pie plates, foil or frozen food boxes.
With summer barbecuing season upon us, remember that propane tanks are not recyclable. Take them back to the dealer where you purchased them.
And guess what? After we all bought shredders thinking we were helping out the cause, shredded paper is not recyclable. Really, it’s not. They want only un-shredded paper.