JOSEPH A. ROUSE
WESTFIELD — The City of Westfield will begin a single-stream recycling program in January.
The burgundy barrels (trash) and charcoal barrels (recycling) will both be put into use starting Monday.
Single-stream recycling will now allow residents to place all their recyclable materials, including newpapers, cardboards, plastics, aluminum, glass, etc- in one container. The purpose of moving to single-stream is to make recycling more convenient for residents.
FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
What is single-stream recycling?
Single-stream recycling refers to a new system that takes the two recycling streams collected through the Westfield curbside program “mixed paper and commingled containers” and allows residents to put them together in one container. The sorting of the recyclables will be done by machines at a processing facility. It is still important to follow the same guidelines applied to the two-bin program, except you put the two streams together.
When does the program begin?
Single-stream recycling will begin on Monday. While the new burgundy barrels will be delivered during December, residents should follow the old program until January 4.
I now have 2 carts. Which is recycling? Which is trash?
The 95-gallon charcoal container is for recycling. The new burgundy 65-gallon container is for trash.
How should I put out my single-stream cart?
Please place your cart on the tree belt or in your driveway. This will allow easier access for street sweeping and plowing. Please place your carts at least 3 feet apart to allow for easier pickup for the collection crew.
On what day do I put out my recycling?
No changes have been made to the schedule. Your recycling and trash days remain on the same schedule as they’ve been for the past several years.
My barrel is too big and I won’t fill my barrel every 2 weeks?
One of the advantages of the extra capacity is that you will not have to put it out as often, this saves the City money in collection costs. We ask that residents only put out their carts when they are half full or more.
Note: If you have difficulty with the size of the barrel due to other limitations please contact the DPW at 572-6226 and ask to have your charcoal barrel exchanged for a smaller one. We will process these requests as quickly as possible (there will be no charge for a barrel exchange).
How is this better than my old way of recycling?
Simply put, the single-stream recycling method requires no sorting of recyclables on the part of the residents, a method that allows residents to put all of their household recycling in to one cart and is easier and more convenient.
Do I need to clean items before putting them in the cart?
Your recyclables should be rinsed of food residue. All paper put into the cart must be dry.
What about recycling cardboard?
Cardboard can be cut up and placed in the cart. If you have too much you can bundle it in 3 x 3 squares no thicker than 1 foot and place it next to your recycling cart.
What if all my recycling doesn’t fit in the cart?
For those instances where customers generate extra recycling they can place their recyclables in a reusable container and place it next to their recycling cart. Be sure to break down or flatten boxboard and corrugated cardboard so that it fits more easily into the cart.
What if my barrel needs repair?
Please contact the DPW at 572-6226. Repairs to burgundy barrels will be processed the same way as with charcoal barrels.
What items go in the 95-gallon single-stream cart?
Single-stream will allow you to recycle all of your current items which include:
1. Paper:
Newspaper
Office paper (plain or color paper, envelopes, stationery, sticky notes)
Junk mail (inserts, magazines, catalogs, ad circulars, etc)
Boxboard (food box packaging like cereal boxes, flatten to conserve space)
Corrugated cardboard (flatten to conserve space)
2. Aluminum:
Food cans (labels OK)
Soda cans
3. Rigid Plastics:
Jugs and bottles with recycle symbol # 1-7 (check bottom)
Round tubs such as yogurt and butter tubs with symbol 1-7
Small plastic food packaging such as fruit cups and baby food containers
4. Glass:
Bottles or jars, any color glass (rinsed and dry)
What items cannot go in the cart? Why not?
We cannot take disposable plastic bags, ovenable meat trays, or Styrofoam in any form (take-out containers, egg cartons, packaging) or broken glass. Why not? The recycling processing facility uses an automated system to sort and bale the recyclables. Plastic bags, for instance, will jam the automated machinery. Residents can take their plastic bags to some grocery stores, and place in their containers for recycling. You are encouraged to ask for paper bags during shopping or opt for the cloth/mesh reusable bags. We cannot take plastic disposable meat trays, pizza boxes, or Styrofoam (in any form, take-out containers, egg cartons, packing materials) because of contamination.
My new 65-gallon container is too small to handle all my trash needs. How do I get an additional trash container?
Requests for additional trash containers will be handled on an as needed basis following project rollout. Residents are being asked to comply with the 65-gallon program until at least March 31 to ensure optimum adjustment to the single-stream program. The program will be reassessed in the spring for adjustment, if necessary.
Who should I call with additional questions?
The Health Department at City Hall will be serving as the lead agency in implementation of the single-stream recycling program. Residents should call (413) 572-6210 or email [email protected] with any questions or comments.
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For additional information:
http://cityofwestfield.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=305
