Lookout Mountain is fortunate to have a recycling program in the community. Both Lookout Mountain, Tenn., and Lookout Mountain, Ga., have access to it. However, some of us need a refresher course on what we can and cannot recycle.
The other day I looked into the recycling bin and noticed boards, lots of plastic bags, a doll, some hardback books and Styrofoam food boxes - none of which are recyclable. The dumpster is available on the first Saturday of the month, and that’s the occasion to get rid of your trash that is not recyclable.
But lots of people think the recycling bin is the same as the garbage dumpster and throw their plastic bags of “junk” into the recycling bin. I know it’s tempting, but when you add stuff that is not accepted by the recycle center, it contaminates the entire “batch” of recycling. One bad apple indeed does spoil the whole bin in the case of recycling. Obviously, this defeats the purpose. And it’s not fair to those who take the time to clean recyclable containers, collect them and then take them to the town’s recycling center.
Some of the things that are accepted are plastic bottles and jugs and their lids and caps, cans, plastic tubs and containers, phone books, newspapers, scrap paper, magazines and paperbacks, paper milk and juice cartons, metal jar lids, paperboard boxes like cereal/cracker boxes, steel bottle caps and old greeting cards.
Glass is recycled in a separate bin labeled Glass Only, and cardboard is also recycled in a separate area that is labeled Cardboard Only. All boxes must be empty, with no Styrofoam, plastic or packing peanuts inside.
Some of the things that are not accepted in the big recycling bin include PLASTICS, except those listed above, scrap metal, frozen food containers, mirrors, Pyrex, plates, drinking glasses, plastic bags, Styrofoam or Kraft envelopes, tissues, paper towels or napkins that have been used, stickers or sheets of address labels, empty aerosol cans, batteries, light bulbs, foil pouches like Capri Sun, scrap metal, wax paper and hardback books. Really, it is just common sense. No, whole toilets are not recyclable. And yes, someone did that.
Also, we don’t need to flatten anything, like cans and plastic bottles, because it makes it harder on the sorting machine. So, let’s all use our brains when it comes to recycling, and if you have a question, ask Johnny Bowen. He is usually around with a smile and a friendly comment, and who couldn’t use that? Thank you all so much for recycling, and thanks to our towns for making it possible!
by Gwin Tugman
The other day I looked into the recycling bin and noticed boards, lots of plastic bags, a doll, some hardback books and Styrofoam food boxes - none of which are recyclable. The dumpster is available on the first Saturday of the month, and that’s the occasion to get rid of your trash that is not recyclable.
But lots of people think the recycling bin is the same as the garbage dumpster and throw their plastic bags of “junk” into the recycling bin. I know it’s tempting, but when you add stuff that is not accepted by the recycle center, it contaminates the entire “batch” of recycling. One bad apple indeed does spoil the whole bin in the case of recycling. Obviously, this defeats the purpose. And it’s not fair to those who take the time to clean recyclable containers, collect them and then take them to the town’s recycling center.
Some of the things that are accepted are plastic bottles and jugs and their lids and caps, cans, plastic tubs and containers, phone books, newspapers, scrap paper, magazines and paperbacks, paper milk and juice cartons, metal jar lids, paperboard boxes like cereal/cracker boxes, steel bottle caps and old greeting cards.
Glass is recycled in a separate bin labeled Glass Only, and cardboard is also recycled in a separate area that is labeled Cardboard Only. All boxes must be empty, with no Styrofoam, plastic or packing peanuts inside.
Some of the things that are not accepted in the big recycling bin include PLASTICS, except those listed above, scrap metal, frozen food containers, mirrors, Pyrex, plates, drinking glasses, plastic bags, Styrofoam or Kraft envelopes, tissues, paper towels or napkins that have been used, stickers or sheets of address labels, empty aerosol cans, batteries, light bulbs, foil pouches like Capri Sun, scrap metal, wax paper and hardback books. Really, it is just common sense. No, whole toilets are not recyclable. And yes, someone did that.
Also, we don’t need to flatten anything, like cans and plastic bottles, because it makes it harder on the sorting machine. So, let’s all use our brains when it comes to recycling, and if you have a question, ask Johnny Bowen. He is usually around with a smile and a friendly comment, and who couldn’t use that? Thank you all so much for recycling, and thanks to our towns for making it possible!
by Gwin Tugman
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