RECYCLING NO-NO'S ! !

Can you identify all of the items in this picture?  See the list of items below.  These items are often misplaced in recycle containers designated for office paper.  Any item or material placed in a recycle container that degrades the designated material to be recycled is considered to be a contaminant.  

Contamination of recycle collection containers results in additional time, energy, and money spent on our recycle collection program.  It takes our contractor longer to process contaminated recycle paper.  This may cause problems in maintaining the collection schedule.  Also recycle processors may refuse to accept the North Carolina State Government's recycle paper if there are high amounts of contamination.

Do your part to keep contamination out of the recycle containers!

1. Be sure that beside every recycle collection area is a trashcan.  Employees are less likely to throw trash in a recycle container if there is a trash can nearby.
2. Contact Work Control at 919-733-2967 prior to recycle collection containers becoming full.  Full and overflowing containers give a "non-caring" impression.  Employees may be more likely to place contaminants in recycle containers.
3. Remind your fellow employees about what is recyclable and what is not.  For more information see What materials can be recycled? 

List of contaminants in photo

1. Newspaper:  Place newspaper in recycle container designated for newspaper.
2. Glass Bottle:  Place empty glass bottle in recycle container designated for glass bottles.
3. Aluminum Can:  Place empty aluminum can in recycle container designated for aluminum cans.
4. Green Binder:  Reuse binder and save money on the purchase of a new one.
5. Magazine:  Place magazine in the recycle container designated for magazines and glossy materials.
6. Hanging File Folder:  Reuse handing file folder and save money on the purchase of a new one.
7. Cardboard:  Label "Recycle" and place in designated area for collection by housekeeping of janitorial staff.  Take to nearest outdoor cardboard recycle collection dumpster.
8. Plastic Fork and Spoon:  Wash when done.  Reuse again and again.
9. File Clip:  Reuse binder clips and save money on the purchase of a new one.
10. Foil wrapper, tissue, apple core:  Compost the apple core if applicable.  Place other items in a trashcan.
11. Alkaline Battery:  Recharge if applicable.  If not, place in trashcan.  Lead Acid, Nickel -Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium, and coin seal (watch) batteries can be recycled.
12. Plastic binder:  Place in the trashcan.