Over the past months there’s been a fair amount of confusion about the finer points of Decatur’s recycling program. I even ranted a bit recently about how the “big blue bins” naturally make humans – and by extension, Decatur residents – worse recyclers.
So it sure was nice that when the city came around with their annual “Solid Waste & Recycling Services City Holiday Schedule” they included handy, dandy new recycling one-sheet. (See above.)
A lot of items on the list are no brainers – cans, paper, plastics, glass etc.
But we’ve read contradicting rules over the years about some of the more nuanced trash. Let’s quickly run through them here and what this new one-sheet tells us.
- Styrofoam – this one as been relatively clear for a while, but the note clarifies that you CAN recycle styrofoam with the little recycling logo. You can’t recycle an styrofoam without it. So you’ll still have to curse anyone who sends you something cushioned in packing peanuts.
- Plastic/wax coated cartons – Good news. This one is allowed. I’m still not sure what sort of recycling can occur with wax soaked cardboard, but hey, you don’t need to add it to your Pay-As-You-Throw bags, so that’s reason for celebration, I suppose.
- Plastic Grocery Bags – this one has not been allowed for some time but people tend not to notice it. Plastic bags are one of the banes of the recycling system’s existence. So take them to Publix or Kroger and recycle them there or you’re gonna have to just chuck them.
- Greenware cups – Personally, I have trouble even telling “greenware” items from regular plastic. Even when I do identify a Dancing Goats coffee cup lid as “greenware”, it still feels weird throwing them in the regular trash, but that’s what we’re suppose to do!
Check out the rest of the one-sheet for other details. And note that you can now include any old tires you have hanging around in your recycling too. The rubber market must be looking relatively good these days.
As always, if you need new recycling bins contact Public Works at 404-377-5571 and they will hook you up.
It’s been reported elsewhere that Avondale will no longer accept glass, something I’ve seen in a few other places.
I have always bought beer mostly in glass bottles, but lately more beer seems to be sold in cans so I’ve been buying more that way. Is either one superior in keeping the beer fresh? If not, I see myself going “all cans” if Decatur stops recycling glass.
Can advocates claim more reliable freshness, which I can believe. No light intrusion, a better seal (as long the can has not been punctured), and less overall surface area.
For me, the flavor of anything in a can has a metallic edge to it, whether it be soda, juice, or beer. I vastly prefer beverages in glass or even plastic. There must be a reason that beer isn’t sold in plastic bottles like soda is.
Sounds like we need a blind taste test to get to the bottom of this.
It is, like at sports events.
Bottled beer taste in a can?!
Decatur & Avondale use the same recycling company. As for the can / bottle thing, beer will always taste better in a bottle but for shipping & storing, you can’t beat cans.
Our street has not received the holiday pick-up schedule door hanger nor the recycling info. It is good they are trying to educate about the recycling guidelines, though. The various info on-line has been self-contradicting.