Eco Corner: Recycling on-the-go in Evanston
You may have noticed a new addition to Evanston’s streets and parks this week. Recycling containers are now placed next to garbage cans in the commercial districts and athletic fields thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants program.
These containers, with their distinctive blue lids, are calling out for Evanston residents and visitors to deposit their recyclable materials rather than putting them in the garbage can headed for the landfill. A big thanks to the Public Works Department staff for getting these new containers on the streets in time for the 4th of July festivities.
Everyone can help support the success of this addition to our community recycling efforts by taking three simple steps.
1. Check your item and ask “Can this be recycled?” - The same guidelines for recycling apply to the public recycling containers as the City’s residential program. Visit the City’s Recycling Guide for more info on what can be recycled. In general, paper, glass, cans, and plastic ban be recycled in these containers.
***But remember, Plastic #6, otherwise know as polystyrene is not included in our recycling program and should not be placed in the recycling container.
2. Determine if food or liquid need to be disposed – The recyclable items need to be free of food and liquid. Make sure to dispose of the contents of the container prior to placing it in the recycling container.
3. Separate recyclables from garbage and place in appropriate container - All recyclable materials can be placed in the recycling bin together. Take care to review and separate container lids and straws that are typically not recyclable and place them in the garbage. The most common items that can contaminate the recycling bin with food include as greasy paper bags and pizza boxes, messy food containers, and polystyrene containers. These should be placed in garbage along with other non-recyclable materials.
Help be a role model by encouraging those around you to separate, empty and properly dispose of recycling and garbage in our community. Looking for more information on recycling and waste reduction in Evanston, then join the City’s sustainability newsletter.