(Chelsea Update would like to thank Frank Hammer and the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority for the information in this story.)
Household metals, like clean empty cans, pie tins and baking dishes, old canning jar lids, and metal caps from every sort of jar and bottle, have been a cornerstone of WWRA’s recycling effort for years.
Many people wonder about other metals, and while they are all recyclable, they need a couple of extra steps.
Items such as:
Old gutters, flashing materials and heating and cooling ducts
Bicycles
Broken aluminum frame chairs, beach umbrellas and TV trays
Cast iron garden tables and chairs
Old metal grills
Old metal shelving
Lengths of old pipe
Small engines and lawnmowers
We love these items, but please do not leave them at the bins or curbside. They are too bulky for our trucks, and cost everyone extra for labor and transportation. They can be brought to the WWRA facility at 8055 Werkner Road on any business day.
Other metals needing a little extra care are:
Metal hangers: Please batch and bundle securely. Individual hangers wreak havoc on the sorting equipment.
Wiring, including Christmas tree lights and cable. Roll, wrap and tie securely—again, these are valued, but not when they wrap themselves around critical equipment.
Metal eating and cooking implements: Please tie securely into bundles of a dozen or so, so they don’t drop into machinery.
Reggie really appreciates it if you to bring items like these directly to the Werkner Road facility, though a few at a time, well wrapped and tied, can be sent through the bins.
You can always put items like these in the bins:
Electrical switches, boxes, and broken circuit breakers
Plumbing supplies—faucets, joints and small pieces (under 18”) of pipe
Old hand tools
Hardware items like broken hinges, door knobs, old grates, etc.
Metal storage boxes and tool carriers
Metal buckets, pots and pans
Picture frames (take out the glass)
All metals provide valuable recycling income, but not if the steps to prevent costly damage and repair to equipment are ignored, then they become high cost, and everyone pays.
If you have a question about a specific item, please call WWRA at 475-6160, during business hours.
Reggie thanks all recyclers for being thoughtful and responsible about sending metals through the recycling stream.
Reggie’s Royal Recycling Review: Metals are great for recycling, and even greater when responsible recyclers take time to help us all.
