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EDITED on 1/31/2020: Only plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 can be recycled. With the changes in offshore recycling and much recycling now being completed domestically, our solid waste company has learned that there is limited availability in recycling for numbers 3-7.

How to use your blue bins for recycling

Please remember to rinse and clean your containers before recycling

Did you know that many of the items that you may be throwing away could be recycled? According to the West Central Iowa Solid Waste website, recycling reduces the need for extracting, refining, and processing raw materials which creates air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling also reduces the amount of time, money, and energy to get those new raw materials.

Recycling also reduces the amount of garbage sent to landfill sites for disposal, leading to less chemicals and greenhouse gasses being released from the rubbish at landfill sites. The 1989 Waste Reduction & Recycling Act requires all cities and counties to develop recycling programs.

Blue recycling bins can be purchased at Denison City Hall for $10 each.

WHAT TO RECYCLE IN YOUR BLUE BIN

Recycling materials are reused and converted into new products. All materials must be clean. They do not have to be in separate plastic bags. Do not put your recycling bin out if the weather is raining or snowing. Listed below are some of the items that can be recycled by putting them into your blue recycling container.

UNDER THE BLUE BIN

Cardboard: Corrugated cardboard boxes, the type of cardboard with two layers of paper surrounding an inner layer of fluted/wavy paper, can be recycled. Remove all contents and flatten the boxes. Then put them beside or under your blue recycling bin.

BOTTOM OF THE BLUE BIN

Glass jars and bottles: Every color of food and beverage jars and bottles can be recycled. Empty and rinse jars and bottles. Lids and labels can be left on them. This includes only glass jars and bottles used for food or beverage only. Place them in the bottom of the bin.

Metal food and beverage containers: All aluminum foil containers, steel food, and beverage cans are able to be recycled. Examples include aluminum or crumpled foil, foil pie plates or food containers, juice cans, fruit and vegetable cans. Empty and rinse the metal containers. Lids can be recycled as well. Place them in the bottom of the bin.

Plastic: All clear and colored plastic containers with the numbers 1 or 2 can be recycled. Look for the recycling symbol with a 1 or 2 inside it (see below). Examples include milk jugs, soft drink and juice boxes, water bottles, yogurt and butter containers, and detergent or bleach bottles. Empty and rinse the containers. Lids and labels can be left on them. Flatten all jugs. If no number is on the plastic container, it can not be recycled so throw it away.

Look for these numbers when determining if your plastic container can be recycled.

TOP OF THE BIN

Paper: Most paper can be recycled if it does not have a waxy coating on it. Examples include newspapers and inserts, phone books, junk mail, magazines, brown grocery bags, catalogs, office paper, cereal boxes, gift boxes, shoe boxes, beer and soda boxes, and shredded paper. Remove all plastic liners and paper from the boxes and flatten them. Then bundle or bag the paper products (they can be mixed) and put them on the top of, or beside your recycling bin. Please DO NOT place loose paper products in with your glass, metal, and plastic containers.

WHAT NOT TO RECYCLE IN YOUR BLUE BIN

Some items cannot be recycled, and must be disposed of properly, such as the items listed below.

  • Appliances (Appliances include washing machines, stoves, clothes dryers, microwaves, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, furnaces, refrigerators, and freezers. These items can be picked up curbside for an additional cost. Check with Denison City Hall.)
  • Aluminum Siding
  • Asphalt Shingles
  • Auto, window, and mirror glass
  • Ceramics
  • Christmas Lights
  • Clothes (usable clothing can be dropped off at the clothing recycling sheds by Powerwash on Highway 30)
  • Diapers
  • Dishware
  • Drinking Glasses
  • Electronic Waste, including batteries, phones, etc (Check with Crawford County Solid Waste to see how to recycle your tires.)
  • Extension Cords
  • Flower Pots
  • Furnace Filters
  • Garden Hoses
  • Glass Bakeware
  • Glass Cookware (Pyrex)
  • Hard cover books (The inside papers are recyclable if the hard covers have been removed.)
  • Kitchen Appliances
  • Laundry Baskets
  • Light Bulbs
  • Microwave Trays
  • Milk and Juice Cartons (the paper ones with a waxy covering)
  • Motor Oil
  • Needles
  • Paint (Latex paint can be mixed with kitty litter or oil dry. After the paint dries, take the lid off, and dispose of it with your garbage. Oil-based paint may be taken to the transfer station where it will be treated as hazardous waste at no charge from households.)
  • Packing peanuts
  • Paper products with food residue
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Plastic bags and film
  • Plastic food wraps
  • Plastic Tarps
  • Plastic Toys
  • Plastic Tupperware-like Containers
  • Porcelain
  • Styrofoam
  • Syringes
  • Tires (Check with Crawford County Solid Waste to see how to recycle your tires.)
  • Waxed cardboard and paper
  • Yard Waste (Please take your yard waste, sticks and branches under 6” in diameter to the yard waste disposal site off South Main Street by the Fire Department training facility.)

CONTACT INFORMATION

People with questions can contact the Crawford County Solid Waste at 712-263-8454. Questions can also be directed to Denison City Hall by calling 712-263-3143.