Officials explain parameters of recycling programs
By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review
With all the efforts going on to clean up the High Desert, it’s important to understand what’s recyclable and what isn’t.
And with each local municipality varying in parameters, the "What Goes Where?" pamphlet provided by the City of Victorville's Curbside Recycling Program may be a good place to start for all residents of the Victor Valley.
according to Dana Armstrong, solid waste manager for the City of Victorville. Armstrong said the City’s Curbside Recycling Program’s “What Goes Where?” pamphlet is a good place to start.
“'What Goes Where?'” gives details of what materials can go in the blue recycle can (in Victorville),” said Dana Armstrong, solid waste manager for Victorville. “It also include what materials classify as trash and should be deposited into the black and green barrels.
According to “What Goes Where?” recyclables include paper advertisements, empty aerosol cans, aluminum and tin cans, cardboard, cereal boxes, glass bottles and jars, paper bags, pet food cans, phone books, soup cans and wrapping paper, to name a few.
Armstrong said bottles, cans and plastic containers should be empty and reasonably free of food residue before going into the recycling bin. While rinsing is recommended, it's not required. For those who decide to rinse, Armstrong advises using dishwater left over from washing pots and pans in order to save water.
Paper products ready for recycling must be clean and dry and not have any food residue on them.
“The pizza box is a perfect illustration for paper recycling,” said Armstrong. “The bottom of the box usually has grease and cheese residue on it, so that would go in the trash. The top of the box — if it’s clean — can go in recycling.
“Paper towels, napkins, tissues, paper plates, should all go in the trash, because they are usually contaminated with food or beverages. Paper does need to be dry. If paper is wet, it starts to decompose. Paper can have writing or printing on it. Just no food or liquids, please.”
Armstrong said many people have asked whether aluminum foil can be recycled. It can be, provided it’s not attached to other packaging like aseptic boxes for juices, chip bags and yogurt containers. These types of items should be placed in the trash.
When it comes to hard plastic objects containing metal parts, recycling can be tricky.
“It really depends on the item,” Armstrong said.
E-waste and household machinery, such as an old vacuum cleaner, should be taken to a local household hazardous waste collection center, she said.
Miscellaneous plastic items like old buckets and broken lawn furniture should be dropped off for recycling at a recycling center if possible. Armstrong recommends clothing, shoes, toys, dishes and furniture be donated to the Salvation Army or other second-hand stores. Scrap metal items should be taken to the recycling drop-off center.
Among the items that qualify as trash are animal and bathroom waste, broken toys and dishes, cigarette butts, garden trimmings, paper plates and cups, mirrors, plastic bags, waxed paper and tree trimmings.
“A lot of people I talk to about recycling think empty soda cans and plastic bottle are the only things that get recycled,” said Cindy Poore, assistant to Victorville’s recycling program. “So much of what you think is trash can be recycled and it’s extremely important people become aware of this for the benefit of the environment.”
Victorville Disposal/AVCO Disposal offers free bulky item collection in the Apple Valley and Victorville. Curbside recycling materials end up at the Victor Valley Materials Recovery Facility for further sorting/processing into different categories.
According to Armstrong, Victorville's and Apple Valley’s curbside recycling programs are identical. She said the Hesperia and Adelanto programs essentially follow the same guidelines.
However, Hesperia residents don’t have separate trash cans for waste and recyclables. Advance Disposal Co., which collects Hesperia’s trash, separates out recyclables from trash at its materials recovery facility.
For additional information, visit www.victorvillerecycles.com or call your local trash disposal provider.