(Chelsea Update would like to thank Laura Scriven for this Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority column.)
We are very pleased with the success of the new single-stream recycling. Not only are intake numbers almost double the amounts taken in during the same time last year, but also some of the output numbers have doubled (or more) as well.
In December, WWRA (Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority) took in 18 truckloads of materials from the curbside and drop-off sites. For the past few Decembers, that number was about 10 truckloads.
That increase is due to two different factors. The first, something we would like to see continue – an increase in materials being recycled.
Our tin collection is up from 10 tons last year at this time to 20 tons.
More and more people are recycling, and we are hoping to see a 100-percent commitment from the public to make Chelsea a green city.
In addition, it’s very exciting to hear all the positive responses and to know how pleased everyone is about the ease of the new system — but more can always be done.
The second reason for the increase in truckloads is not quite as positive. There has been and approximate a 50-percent increase in the amount of “trash.” Trash is material that cannot be recycled, and it should not be put in the bins with the recyclable materials. Trash creates more work because it all needs to be sorted and removed from the recycling line.
Then, trash materials must be dealt with and taken to another authority. WWRA does not deal with trash, so we have to handle it many times to get it to the proper dumping site.
Please be more careful with the items placed in the recycle bins and in the drop-off containers.
We cannot accept:
- Clothing
- Styrofoam
- Plastic bags
- Bubble wrap
- Vinyl siding
- Electronics
We want to encourage you to put even tiny recyclable materials – such as toilet paper rolls or junk mail – but please make sure it can be recycled.
Thank you everyone for all of the amazing improvements that have been made this year and thank you for your patience and dedication. We are still waiting for our next shipment of curbside bins and we will let you know as soon as we get then.
Happy New Year to everyone from the WWRA.
We would love to hear any thoughts or ideas you have about recycling, so please send any information to Laura Scriven at [email protected]
Laura,
Thank you so much for the update on the recycling outcomes. Very informative and Interesting. One bin makes it so much easier to collect items for recycling.
Mary Lou Rigg
To the Citizens of Chelsea:
This is an awesome accomplishment! Everyone should be very proud of their efforts and encourage your neighbors to pitch in for the community and the Earth. Every scrap of recyclable material, no matter how small, is one less in a landfill. Keep up the great work.
Dustin Suntheimer