Welcome to the Recycle Today Program

Thank You for Recycling 10,539 Tons 

    in FY 07-08  (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008): 

Paper Products: 7,971
Plastic Bottles: 499
Glass Jars/Bottles: 1,794
Aluminum/Steel Cans: 275

• Plastic bottles banned from landfills - state law October 1
• FAQ about the plastic bottles ban and other information
• Cart and Bin Summer 2009 newsletter 
• Watch the "Feed the Bin" video shorts online!

DID YOU KNOW?

You can recycle...

Cell Phone & Cartridge Recycling

Cell phones and empty inkjet and laser toner cartridges can be recycled by mail free of charge.  Do not place in curbside recycling containers.

Computer Recycling

Through RECONNECT, a new electronics recycling program, you can recycle unwanted computers, printers, and monitors.  It's easy and free through a Dell, Inc. and Goodwill Industries partnership.  Simply, take your equipment to any Goodwill store or donation center.  All brands and conditions of equipment are accepted.

In addition, depending on the location and quantity of equipment, Goodwill can schedule pickups of commercial donations.  For more information, contact Goodwill of Northwest North Carolina at 336-724-3625, Ext. 259, or visit online at www.goodwillnwnc.org or www.reconnectpartnership.com. Reconnect! It's easy.

It's Illegal to Remove Materials from Recycling Bins

It is unlawful for any person to remove any recyclable materials from any recycling collection container. The violator of City Code 26-10(k) is subject to a $100 civil penalty, which may be collected by the City as a debt.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Do your part to reduce waste in our community by practicing the  3 Rs!

Reduce - to prevent waste before it's created. The best way to reduce trash is to make less trash in the first place!

Reuse - using products over again in their current form for the same purpose or another use. People sometimes mistakenly think that they are recycling something when they are actually reusing it. Think  in terms of whether the item can be used beyond its original intent before tossing it in the trash.

Recycle - making something old into something new. Recycling is the process of collecting used materials and manufacturing them into new products.  Also, recycling can go beyond what you put into a recycling container. You can recycle grass clippings and food waste by starting a compost bin.

Recycling is a three-way, closed-loop process in which you, the consumer, begin and complete:

1. Collection - involves separating good, used materials from general trash and placing them in a curbside recycling bin or taking them to a drop-off center.
   
2. Manufacturing- used materials are processed and made into new products, thus saving raw virgin materials.
   
3. Purchasing (Closing the Loop) - buying  products made from recycled materials. Recycled content products must have a market in order for  recycling to succeed!

• Available products include appliances, carpet, clothing,  jewelry, home furnishings, gardening and yard supplies, office equipment and supplies, packaging and shipping products, furniture, toys and gifts,  school supplies, playground equipment, building and construction materials,  and many other products.
  
• Look for and buy products made from post-consumer content. Post-consumer content means that the product contains materials that have served their intended use and have been recycled by consumers or businesses.  If you are not buying recycled products, you are not truly recycling!
  
• Understanding the 3 Rs is one thing, but putting them to work  is quite another! The good news is that it only takes a small amount of time and effort in our daily lives to practice them. Waste reduction and recycling  are good habits that we all need!