Recycle More in OTC! Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Recycle More in OTC! Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations A brief guide on recycling in Otter Tail County Zach Fjestad Public Information & Education Officer Why is Recycling a Good Thing? There is a cost (often hidden) for
We have one earth with 7 billion people sharing it and we need to take care of it. According to 2010 estimates from the EPA, each American generates approximately 4.5 pounds of trash a day – this translates to 250 million tons of trash generated each year by Americans!
The good news is that approximately 34% of solid waste generated is either recycled or composted. This keeps 85 million tons
landfills each year. Recycling also reduces the amount of raw materials needed to create new products therefore reducing air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
common materials are accepted and processed for other manufacturers to make into new products.
slightly below the national 2010 average of 34%.
rates by recycling more common materials that end up in the garbage instead.
recycled in 2010!
recycling redemption center, we actually pay you for them – you’re throwing money away if you throw your aluminum cans in the garbage!
are throwing away $128,000 worth of aluminum cans every year just in Otter Tail County!
canister site
education project once a year
with a neck or spout)
There are five main categories of recycling for separation: 1. Aluminum/Tin Cans 2. Glass 3. Plastic 4. Newspaper/Paper/Magazines & Catalogs 5. Corrugated Cardboard
Note: (Aluminum cans need to be separated from tin if brought in for redemption)
Otter Tail County operates a source‐separated system meaning all materials that can be recycled need to be separated into their own categories before they arrive at the recycling center.
Fergus Falls and Perham offer a curbside collection service meaning the city picks up your recyclables from the curb alongside garbage.
For residents in other communities or rural residents, Otter Tail County has recycling canisters located throughout the county where recyclables can be dropped off.
Otter Tail County also has three recycling redemption centers where residents can redeem their aluminum cans for money along with dropping off their other recyclables. These are located in Fergus Falls, Perham, and Pelican Rapids. Please note that aluminum cans need to be separated from tin cans if they are brought into the redemption center.
cans are accepted in OTC.
pans are also accepted.
material you bring to us, the more we can recycle. It takes approximately 30 aluminum cans to make one pound of aluminum. Aluminum cans can be recycled endlessly without any loss of material.
and jars are accepted in OTC.
glasses or clear glass.
bottles.
glass excluding the frame are accepted.
porcelain, and ceramics are not accepted.
The glass we recycle in OTC is made into beads for sandblasting and landscaping material.
#2 and a neck or spout are accepted in OTC.
and jugs.
number are not accepted as well as containers without a neck or spout.
containers, margarine containers, and whipped topping containers are not accepted.
as the handle has been removed and discarded.
new plastic bottles as well as fleece clothing, carpeting, and plastic lumber!
catalogs, and most paper are accepted in OTC.
directly into the newspaper bin.
glossy paper should be separated in a bag, box, or tied together and placed in the newspaper bin.
separated in a plastic bag and placed in the newspaper bin.
Recycled newspaper is ground up and made into a cellulose insulation that is typically “blown” into ceilings, walls, and attics.
envelopes
imprinting)
pastel colors only) Staples, paperclips, ink, and highlighter is all okay to be left
before the paper is recycled. Remember that the whiter the paper the easier it will be to recycle.
covers must be removed.
must be removed. Metal and plastic binders can be left in.
papers because a bleaching agent is needed to get it white again.
paper bags are accepted in OTC.
“wave” layer of cardboard between two layers of flat cardboard – you can see this by looking at the side of a cardboard box.
commonly used for soda pop containers and cereal boxes – are not accepted.
large fruit boxes are not accepted.
corrugated cardboard, are not accepted unless they are completely free of grease and contaminates.
down and flatten them so they take up less space.
For more information, please visit: www.co.ottertail.mn.us/solidwaste/recycling