Test Shows More Recycle When Items Not Separated
The Reno Gazette-Journal reports that a pilot program in 2007 of single-stream recycling more than tripled the amount recycled, and the county is considering a permanent switch as a result.
Reno included 866 households in a three month test where residents did not have to separate recyclables. Instead of using multiple crates for different materials, plastic were all placed in one 96-gallon bin.
Biweekly collections went from 5,000 to 17,000 pounds during the pilot program.
It would cost $5 million to buy bins for all 128,000 households in the county, $5 million for new trucks and $3 million to upgrade the recycling center.
The Reno council is also investigating recycling solutions for hotels/casinos and apartments/condos. To find a curbside program in your area, use Earth 911′s recycling locator.
As of June 17th 2011 we have upgraded our comment system to use Facebook comments. The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Vicky
posted on February 11th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
My husband and I always recycle. We are frustrated because Reno only has the little bins. We started to separate our stuff into clear bags, because we had so much. The recycle guy did not take it, he put it with the trash. We did not notice until the trash pickup guys came. I called WM and the person on the phone said they will not take anything that is not in the bins. I said the bins are too small, plus we have a ton of wind and our papers would be every where. I told her we put the stuff in clear plastic bags. She said “we don’t recycle the clear plastic bags”. I said “they are plastic, you recycle plastic!!!”
She informed me again that they will not take it if it is not in the bins… I was so frustrated.
Is Reno’s WM planning on getting bigger bins/cans for recycling. We have way more recycling than we do trash now. I felt heartbroken that they put my stuff in trash after taking the time to separate it all.