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Single-Stream Recycling System
Kentucky is moving to a single-stream recycling system that will involve changes in the way we collect and separate recyclables. The standard conveyors, bins and "10-finger picking" operations will give way to mechanical sorting and separating equipment that can accommodate a larger volume of materials.
The single-stream recycling system will allow residents to put their recyclable materials into a single container, even glass.
Benefits of Single-Stream Recycling
Single-stream recycling system is an economic improvement to collecting recyclable materials from the municipal waste stream. It is important to divert as much material from going into our landfills as possible to extend the lifespan and usefulness of this public waste management system.
By slowing down the growth of landfills, we can do our part to preserve natural woodlands and watersheds around the state.
What to Recycle
In general all paper can be recycled in what is called a closed loop recycling process or simply, paper can be recycled back into paper. Paper no longer need be sorted by color or surface quality (glossy or uncoated textures). The following items are acceptable paper products that can be recycled by your material recovery facility.
- Box board (paper food containers boxes - always remove liners)
- Brown paper bags
- Catalogs and magazines
- Corrugated cardboard
- Junk mail, flyers, and door hangers
- Newspapers, with inserts
- Office and school papers
- Phone books
Plastic containers numbers 1 to 5 on the bottom can now be recycled. A wide range of products are made from recycled plastics, such as:
- Building insulation
- Carpets
- Drainage and irrigation piping
- Fencing
- Filters
- Flowerpots
- Packing materials
- Plastic lumber
- Rope
- Scouring pads
- Signs
- Trash cans
Please rinse all plastic containers. The following is a list of acceptable plastic products that can be recycled by your material recovery facility:
- Any size soft drinks bottles
- Alcohol bottles
- Bleach and fabric softener jugs
- Cooking oil bottles and jugs
- Laundry detergent jugs
- Milk and water jugs
Plastic grocery bags are not accepted.
Aluminum beverage cans, steel food cans and aerosol spray cans are metal containers that can be recycled by your material recovery facility using the single-stream recycling system. An increasing demand in the recycling industry to recover metals has helped divert large amounts of materials going into local landfills.
The following is a list of acceptable metal products that can be recycled by your material recovery facility. Make sure cans are empty prior to recycling.
- Aerosol cans (hair spray, etc)
- Aluminum soda or beer cans
- Steel food cans
Other Recyclable Metals
Your local recycling agency may be able to accept other metals, such as refrigerators, hot-water heaters and other appliances except microwaves. Call for special pickups with you local collection agency.
All glass bottles of any color can now be recycled curbside along with your other recyclable materials. The following is a list of acceptable glass products that can be recycled by your material recovery facility.
- Bottles
- Jars
Make sure all bottles are empty, and remove all metal lids before recycling. Window glass, mirrors, and ceramics are not accepted.
Uses for Recycled Glass
The Kentucky Transportation Agency has approved the experimental use of pulverized glass in roadbed construction. Crushed glass is processed into insulation by producers in North America and ongoing studies are being done to find other uses for recycled glass