This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Back to Basics this Earth Day: The Nitty Gritty on Local Recycling

Recycling used to be a headache, but it has become so streamlined and common that there really isn't a good excuse to forego this step in going green. Read on to learn everything you need to know about recycling in Carroll County!

My in-laws have one trashcan in their kitchen--a 55 gallon, curb-size container that they empty soda and iced tea cans, plastic water bottles, tin foil, plastic baggies, and juice boxes. O.k., you get the picture.

My very kind and hard-working father-in-law, a product of the “disposable society” mentality, recently opted to just keep a large trashcan in the kitchen so he wouldn’t constantly be taking out the trash--this without giving a thought to downsizing on the throw-away products. Baby steps . . . I think.

They might not be willing to give up their paper plates and plastic red cups (you know the ones!), but why not recycle? For that matter, why don’t more of us recycle? It used to be that recycling was a big headache--even for those of us whose blood runs green (I mean “tree-hugger” green, not “dollars and cents” green). Yes I said it--recycling was a pain! I did it, but always with a comment under my breath like, “no wonder people don’t want to do this,” as I picked through the pile of recyclable items I had piled up in a precious corner of closet space in our too-small Baltimore City row house with no back yard, plastics and bottles--separated--every other Tuesday and in blue recycle bags; paper every other Thursday, and it must be tied in bundles or in paper bags--unless it is a holiday or we had a centimeter of snow and then forget seeing the recycle truck for another two weeks. Why was it that “regular” trash was picked up twice weekly?

Find out what's happening in Westminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fast-forward a few more years than I’d like to admit, and it seems that at least in Carroll County, recycling has become a whole lot easier! No more excuses, please, about how inconvenient recycling is because it simply isn’t the hassle it once was. The truth is, with Single Stream Recycling, Carroll County has made recycling a breeze. With Single Stream Recycling, you can put all general recyclables into one bin (see single stream recyclable items listed below). No more separating paper-from-glass-from-cans-from- plastic!

So here’s the real reason I think would-be recyclers are afraid to make the plunge: with the seemingly ever changing, albeit greatly improving, recycling system, some folks are not sure what exactly can and can’t be recycled. Ever wonder what those numbers on the bottoms of plastics mean? Or think to yourself, do I have to remove lids and wash containers? Maybe you’ve thought about whether only food containers are accepted, or prescription drug containers and plastic shampoo bottles, too? What about pizza boxes and milk cartons?

Find out what's happening in Westminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To answer these questions and more, here are some nitty gritty details for those of you ready to make the plunge this Earth Day to the world of recycling. For those of you who have been recycling, read on; there’s a good chance that something here will help you green your world a little more, as it did for me as I researched this article (tin foil, plastic baggies, – who knew?).

 

The Nitty Gritty Details:

Do I have to rinse containers? Rinsing isn’t required, but appreciated. We like it at our house because it cuts down on the bees swarming around the sweet smelling yogurt containers and juice bottles

What kind of recycling bin do I use? This is the only really complicated answer – promise! Carroll County doesn’t pick service providers; towns and cities do, so for specifics you need to refer to your local town or city government office for provider information. For those who live outside of town or city limit lines, you need to refer to your individual disposal provider. But in general, the service providers I spoke with said any clearly marked trashcan, bin, or even box will due, and there is no need to bundle items or put them in plastic or paper bags.

How do I tell if a PLASTIC container is recyclable? Look on the bottom of the container. If you find a number in the center of a recycling symbol (a triangle with arrows), then it is a recyclable item. Carroll County has the capability to recycle #1-5 and 7 plastics.

What about Styrofoam and #6 Plastic containers? Although these items are recyclable materials, Carroll County does not currently have the capability to recycle these products.

If a PLASTIC doesn’t have a number, is it recyclable? Some older items may be recyclable even if they do not have numbers on the container bottoms, but it is difficult for us to tell the difference, so Carroll County recommends that we not include these items in our recycling. Generally all new PLASTIC materials that are recyclable will contain numbers.

Do I have to remove lids? No. Lids can be included in your recycling.

What about Plastic Baggies, Plastic Wrap, and Plastic Shopping Bags? Yes, yes, and yes! Include these items in your Single Stream Recycling! Carroll County recommends that you put these items on the bottom of your recycling container so that they are not picked-up by the wind.

Are Juice Boxes recyclable? Yes! These boxes are called gable-top boxes. If you can unfold the carton and it looks like a roof (a gable top), then it is recyclable. So “yes” to juice boxes, soup and broth boxes, but “no” to the Capri-sun container type drinks.

How about Pizza Boxes? Well . . . sort of. No soiled paper can be recycled, so if part of the box looks greasy on the bottom, then cut that part out and discard it with your bulk refuse, but recycle the rest of the box.

And Aluminum/Tin Foil? Yes! Recycle it!

What if I miss my scheduled recycle pick-up day? You can drop most of your recyclables off at the Northern Landfill located at 1400 Baltimore Boulevard (Rt. 140). There is a second drop off center on the corner of Hoods Mill Road in Woodbine at 7901 Kabik Court (Rt. 97 S.). See “The Green Skinny” for further details about the drop off locations.

 

The Green Skinny on Recycling in Carroll County:

Carroll County Practices Single Stream Recycling. In one bin, include the following: 1) Empty Plastics such as: mayo jars, ketchup bottles, soda bottles, sour cream containers, shampoo bottles, medicine bottles, and household cleaning supply bottles. Check for the number on the bottom of the container; Carroll takes #1-5 & 7. 2) Empty Metal food and beverage containers such as: aluminum soda cans and tin vegetable and tuna cans. Empty Aerosol cans, aluminum foil, and cooking pans also accepted. 3) Empty Glass containers such as empty jars of pickles and bottles of juice. 4) Empty Paper juice and broth boxes, milk and juice containers. Paperboard and cardboard boxes, such as cereal and snack food boxes, boxes from your toothpaste and printer’s ink cartridges, tissue boxes, and toilet paper and paper towel rolls. Office paper and more: type, fax, copy, letterhead, NCR, envelopes, newspapers, newspaper inserts, magazines, catalogs, and junk mail, computer printouts. Books: paperbacks, hardbacks, textbooks. Other paper stuff: brown paper bags, telephone books, and non-metallic wrapping paper.

 

Carroll County does NOT accept the following for recycling:

1) Motor oil or transmission fluid bottles
2) Styrofoam
3) #6 Plastic
4) Broken Glass
5) Household dishes and glassware such as drinking glasses and coffee mugs
6) Household batteries (AAA, C . . .)

 

Drop Off Centers

1) Northern Landfill (main location) 1400 Baltimore Boulevard, Westminster Open M-F 7-4:30 and Sat. 7-3 410-386-4550
2) Hoods Mill Road 7901 Kabik Court, Woodbine

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?