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.

Recycling Right Is Not Scary

There are only five items that belong in curbside recycling:

Cans including food and beverage cans.
Cartons including milk, soup, juice, wine and broth.
Glass bottles and jars including food and beverage bottles and jars.
Paper and boxes including newspaper, junk mail, magazines, paper tubes and corrugated carboard.
Plastic bottles and jugs including items with a neck or opening narrower than its body.

You can also recycle right by emptying all containers, making sure items are clean and dry, and flattening your boxes. Thank you for recycling right!

Composting Yard Waste and Leaves

Autumn has arrived, which means leaves are on the ground and yard clean-ups are necessary for managing the mess. Don’t just throw your yard waste and organics in the trash. Make sure you’re prepared to collect and compost those items in a way that will benefit your gardens and flower beds.

Choose natural decorations, such as pumpkins and squash, which will decompose more quickly than materials like plastic and glass. Reuse autumn decorations from years past.
Learn how to start a compost pile in your own backyard.
Mow the leaves on your lawn, put them in the garden or flower beds or simply leave the leaves. Using leaf mulch is cheaper than buying wood chips and it helps deliver nutrients to the soil around your plants. Read more about composting your leaves.
Consider having a vermicomposting (worm) bin inside your home.

If you can’t compost at home, find a facility that will accept your yard waste for processing.

Television Recycling Event: October 30

Is an old television haunting your home? Here’s your chance to clear off the cobwebs and recycle it. Bring your old, unwanted working or non-working television to a special recycling event on Saturday, October 30. Any television can be recycled during the event. A fee of $20 per unit will be charged, payable by cash or check only. Appointments are required. Learn more about disposal of TVs or reserve your space now.

What Do I Do With?…Campaign Yard Signs

Following an election, recycle unwanted campaign yard signs – plastic film, corrugated plastic and cardboard signs plus the metal stands – at Solid Waste District HQ in Garfield Heights. A drop box is in the lobby. Your community may also collect campaign signs for recycling. See details.

Register now for the Sustainable Cleveland 2021 Virtual Summit on October 20-21 and work together to help transform Cleveland into a “green city on a blue lake.” Still haven’t opted in to Cleveland’s new curbside recycling program? Cleveland residents have until October 22 to register. See details.