Recycling News

Recycling Right

What is the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District (CCSWD)?

The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is the public agency helping the people of Cuyahoga County reduce, reuse and recycle at home, at work and in their communities. They serve as the leading resource in the County for information, expertise and programs that support sustainable materials management and reduce the environmental impact of waste. Visit www.CuyahogaRecycles.org or call (216) 443-3749 to learn how to recycle in your community and discover other recycling and disposal options.

5 Ways to Recycle Right
Done correctly, recycling is an easy way to make a difference in preserving the planet.

Leave recyclables loose – not bagged. Plastic bags do not belong in your recycling bin or cart. Plastic bags get tangled in the sorting machines at the recycling facilities and cause major problems for the recycling process. Plastic shopping bags can be recycled at many retail locations, including Giant Eagle, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Marc’s, Target and Walmart stores.
Make sure it’s clean and empty. Rinse residue from cartons, containers, bottles and jars or any other recyclable that may contain food particles. For example, greasy pizza boxes are not accepted.
Keep it dry. When it comes to paper and cardboard, keeping it dry is imperative for the recycling process. Please flatten all cardboard boxes as well.
Don’t wishcycle. Think you can throw everything into your recycling bin and it will get sorted out at the recycling plant? Think again. Recycling only these five core items is paramount: cans, cartons, glass, paper and plastic along with plastic bottles and jugs.
Join a social media community. Share a post. Do a story. Get engaged with the social media accounts in your community. You’ll find Cuyahoga County’s accounts located on Facebook, on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Once you’ve got the hang of recycling, you can also learn about various other eco-friendly topics from composting to zero-waste lifestyles. There’s seemingly no end to the ways we can reduce, reuse and recycle for a cleaner and greener today and tomorrow.

Plastic Free July: Join the Movement

This month, join the movement to refuse single-use plastics. Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution for cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. See tips on reducing plastic waste, see how others have joined the movement, and get motivated to take the challenge. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics? Learn more at www.plasticfreejuly.org

New Blog Post: Recycling Markets and Midwest Resourcefulness

Living in the Midwest provides us access to many resources. There is an abundance of fresh water for drinking, fertile soil for planting, and stable recycling markets. What? Yes, stable recycling markets! Check out our newest blog post from Executive Director Beth Biggins-Ramer.

What Do I Do With?…Shredded Paper

Shredded paper should not be placed in your curbside recycling. Shreds are too small to be sorted properly at the materials recovery facility (MRF) that receives your recyclables. It falls through the recycling plant’s fast-moving conveyor belts and ends up in the trash. Instead, make sure that it gets recycled by placing shredded paper in paper bags and dropping off at a mixed paper recycling bin. Learn more.

Have sensitive, personal documents you need to destroy? Find a business or location that provides paper shredding services. See details.

Learn More About Composting, Recycling or Waste Reduction

District staff has been working to develop fresh educational content for residents, students, and businesses in Cuyahoga County. Free webinars are scheduled for the next few months and more will be added in the future. The lineup includes:

See a full list of calendar events here.

Christmas in July? If you’re celebrating with lights and holiday sparkle, don’t just toss those burned out or unwanted light strings in the trash. Recycle them now at the Solid Waste District. See details