Community Updates

What we saw

• • Takeout clamshells, berry containers and plastic cutlery in blue bags because they carry a recycling triangle.
• • #1 water bottles (good) mixed with #1 salad clamshells (not accepted) — same number, different outcome.
• • #5 yogurt tubs accepted, while #5 utensils and straws had to be pulled out.
• • #6 foam cups, egg cartons and takeout boxes, which no Franklin County program accepts.
• • #4 grocery, produce and bread bags, plus bubble wrap, which tangle sorting equipment.

What to do instead

• • Go by shape, not number: bottles, jugs, tubs and cups are in. Flat trays, clamshells, bags and film are out.
• • #1 PETE — water, soda and detergent bottles: yes. #1 clamshells and berry boxes: no.
• • #2 HDPE — milk jugs, shampoo and detergent bottles: yes.
• • #3 PVC, #6 PS and foam of any kind: keep out of the blue bag.
• • #4 LDPE bags and film: take clean bags back to a grocery-store drop-off instead.
• • #5 PP — yogurt, butter and sour cream tubs: yes. Straws, lids on their own and utensils: no.
• • #7 Other and mixed plastics: not accepted here.
• • Empty, clean and dry every container, and reattach the lid so it gets recycled too.
• • Still unsure? Look the item up on RecycleRight.org (SWACO) before it goes in the bag.

What we saw

• • 16 households set out a blue recycling bag on our first Monday route.
• • 55 pounds of material was diverted from the landfill on day one.
• • Plenty of doors with no bag yet, which is normal for a brand-new program.

What to do instead

• • Set your blue bag on your front porch every Monday between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
• • Empty, clean and dry only — give containers a quick rinse and flatten your cardboard.
• • Keep household trash out of the blue bag, and attach your household QR label.
• • Keep recycling away from the bulk area and the compactor area.
• • Ask a neighbor to join in — participation is what makes the next round bigger.

What we saw

• • An upholstered armchair in usable condition set against the bulk-area wall.
• • Loose trash bags, food packaging and scattered paper piled right beside it.
• • Litter blowing along the pavement and collecting in the corner.

What to do instead

• • Loose trash and litter never belong in the bulk area — bagged household trash goes in the compactor.
• • Still-usable furniture, bikes and household goods can go to a donation partner listed below.
• • If an item is broken or unsafe, stage it neatly in the designated bulk area for Tuesday or Friday collection.
• • Never block a dumpster, compactor, sidewalk, parking space or fire lane.

What we saw

• • A children's ride-on scooter in good condition set out for bulk collection.
• • A couch and a dresser with no visible damage staged beside it.

What to do instead

• • Working bikes, scooters, furniture and household goods can go to a donation partner instead of the bulk area.
• • Many furniture donation programs offer pickup, so the item never has to sit outside.
• • If an item is broken or unsafe, bulk collection is the right call — just stage it in the designated bulk area.

What we saw

• • A blue recycling bag set out on collection day filled with household garbage and food waste.

What to do instead

• • Blue bags are for clean, empty, dry recyclables only — bottles, jugs, tubs, cups, cans, cartons, and flattened cardboard and paper.
• • Give containers a quick rinse and leave food, liquid and plastic bags out.
• • Household trash goes in the compactor, not in a blue bag.

What we saw

• • Several household trash bags stacked on the pavement next to the compactor instead of inside it.
• • Loose litter blown across nearby parking spaces the following morning.

What to do instead

• • Place all household trash bags inside the compactor.
• • If the compactor is full or not working, report it so it can be serviced — please don't leave bags on the ground.
• • Never block a dumpster, sidewalk, parking space or fire lane with bags or bulk items.