Columbia residents are being reminded to pay close attention to what goes into their blue recycling bags as the city continues operating under updated recycling guidelines.
According to the City of Columbia Office of Sustainability, contamination from trash, glass and plastics that are not currently accepted can damage recycling equipment and increase processing costs.
What Should NOT Go in Columbia’s Blue Recycling Bags?
For now, residents should keep the following items out of blue recycling bags:
- Glass bottles and jars
- Yogurt cups
- Clamshell containers
- Dairy tubs, including sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese and margarine containers
- Black plastic, including many takeout containers, food trays and utensils
- Styrofoam containers
- Packaging materials
- Plastic bags, including shopping bags, zip-top bags and chip bags
- Household trash
- See full list of items below on image
The city’s advice is simple: When in doubt, throw it out. Putting a questionable item in the trash is preferable to contaminating otherwise recyclable materials.
What About Cardboard and Paper?
Cardboard, paper and other mixed fibers should not be placed inside blue recycling bags. These materials can still be bundled separately and placed at the curb for collection.
Residents with questions about whether a particular item can be recycled can contact the City of Columbia Contact Center at 573-874-CITY (2489) or City@CoMo.gov.
These guidelines are especially important for residents to keep in mind while Columbia’s recycling system continues to operate differently following the destruction of the city’s Material Recovery Facility.
Click below to see all the events!
Our Calendar of Events makes it SUPER simple to click and add right to your personal calendar or device. Never miss a fun activity again!
Leave a Reply