Are you recycling “smart” and avoiding the most common recycling mistakes? Learning to
recycle correctly is important for several reasons.
- Adding items to recycle bins that you “hope” or “wish” were recyclable, even though they are not, adds expense to the process as the recycling facility must separate these items out and divert them to the trash. Examples include light bulbs, mirrors, plastic flower pots/toys, patio furniture, coat hangers, tools and other metal objects.
- You help the town of Needham save money
- You help improve local, and ultimately global, recycling practices.
- It’s the right thing to do and it’s easy!
What you can do to recycle right:
- Use our Recyclopedia to find places to donate your used, but still “usable” stuff.
- Know about recycling something that’s not yet in the Recyclopedia? Have new information? Is something not accurate? Tell us!
- Visit the state’s Recycle Smart website! It has a lot of great information about recycling in Massachusetts.
- Visit the Recycling & Transfer Station web pages to learn what you can recycle there.
- Learn and follow our “Recycling Tips – Best Practices” for recycling correctly at the Needham RTS.
- Review our “Ask the Recycler” page to learn about best recycling practices in Needham, and perhaps get an answer to an outstanding question.
- Learn about the textile and mattress ban in Massachusetts, effective Nov. 1, 2022, and how you can recycle your worn out/torn clothing, drapes/sheets, shoes and belts at the Needham RTS.
And remember, recycling is just one way to reduce our waste. Here are some others:
- Read our “Top 10 Zero Waste Actions” and learn what lifestyle changes you can make do reduce your waste.
- Visit our “Reduce/Reuse” page to learn how you can use less stuff in your daily life, and extend the useful life of the stuff you do need.
- Learn how you can reduce food waste at home, and compost your food scraps at home
- Bring the food scraps that you can not compost at home (meat, dairy, bones, etc.) to the Needham RTS’s food composting bins. Residents can drop off their food waste – including things like meat and dairy that can not be composted at home – in containers at the RTS in the area adjacent to the textile and book recycling containers (which are adjacent to the salt shed).
Resources
Documents
- 11/2/22 Recycling & Solid Waste Forum – Needham DPW RSW Presentation
- 11/2/22 Recycling & Solid Waste Forum – Casella Presentation
- NRC Press Release: China and Recyclables 051518
Links on the Web
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Bay State Recycling
Recycles worn, ripped and stained textiles into insulation, carpet padding, soundproofing material, and industrial wiping cloths. |
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Beyond Plastics
Beyond Plastics - Plastic Free/Zero Waste Holiday Gift Guide |
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Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles
Educational Resource for Textile Recycling |
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South Shore Recycling Cooperative
Provides support and education for correct recycling and waste minimization practices |
