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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Resolve to Recycle Right in 2020

Welcome 2020! What is your resolution for the new year? If you made a resolution to recycle better and recycle right, we have some top tips to help you get started:

• Create less waste. REDUCE the number of items you buy or use. Skip the straw. Store some clean containers in your car to use for leftovers at your favorite restaurant. Choose a reusable bag instead of single-use paper or plastic. Ask yourself if you really need an item or what will happen to it when you are finished with it.
• Stock up on items that you can REUSE repeatedly. Buy glass bowls or containers for packing lunches. Use a refillable mug at a quick beverage store.

RECYCLE only the correct items in curbside recycling, including cans, cartons, glass bottles and jars, paper and boxes plus plastic bottles and jugs. Putting the wrong items in your curbside mix (wishcycling) can cause high contamination rates at the recycling plant and results in more items going to the landfill.

County Bag Ban in Effect January 1

Cuyahoga County’s plastic bag ban went into effect on January 1. The ordinance prohibits Cuyahoga County grocers and retailers from providing plastic bags at the checkout. It was passed by County Council in May 2019.

Learn more about the ban and the type of bags it includes at www.cuyahogacounty.us/byobag. For questions about the bag ban, contact the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs at (216) 443-7035.

Need a boost for remembering your bags? Request a vinyl window cling for your home and vehicle windows, mirrors or doors or read our blog post of tips.

What Do I Do With?…Broken, Burned-Out Holiday Lights

Don’t toss those unwanted lights in the trash. Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving and Halloween string lights can be recycled! Drop off broken or unusable holiday lights and power cords for recycling at city service departments and the Solid Waste District until January 24. Learn more.

Super Bowl Party? Join the Winning Team by Recycling Right

The big game is coming! The NFL playoffs quickly lead us to the biggest U.S. sporting event of the year. The Super Bowl (and the parties that accompany it) generate a lot of trash. Be prepared to tackle waste and recycling during football’s main event on Sunday, February 2. Learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle at your next big party or event.

Learn How to Recycle Right at Work

Our staff can help businesses, organizations and nonprofits find answers to questions about:
•    the cost of waste disposal;
•    service contracts;
•    waste reduction in facilities;
•    recycling;
•    how to start a workplace recycling program;
•    commercial composting.
Learn more about workplace recycling or see a list of free seminars in 2020.

The Christmas trees are coming down. Artificial trees that have reached the end of their life go in the trash. If you purchased a live tree this year, you have a few options for disposal. Most cities offer a pick-up service in January. Or, donate your tree to a local farm as a snack for goats. Details here.