SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): Significant recycling modifications were announced by the Richmond Sanitary District (RSD). These steps are intended to eliminate residents' confusion about whether or not specific products are recyclable and to broaden the list of goods that are accepted for recycling.

RSD superintendent Pat Smoker stated that the organization intends to use the grant money it recently received to buy a compactor and a baler. The news was made when members of the Richmond Common Council met on February 19, 2025.

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The District will be able to send unsorted plastic to businesses with automatic sorting machines thanks to the compactor. At the moment, district workers collect participant recyclables during a week and physically sort it the next week. Since the district now only has five collection containers, the amount of recycling that can be collected is limited.

In addition to the already collected No. 1 and 2, the district will be able to collect plastics numbered 3 through 7 with the purchase of the new equipment. By the next year, the device should be operational. According to Smoker, the ability to gather more materials for recycling will reduce the amount of waste that enters the New Paris Pike landfill, so prolonging its lifespan.

Also, RSD will open its new building with effect from March 3, 2025 to collect customer payments.