Green Team members pose in front of bales of recycled cans at Recology.
The Green Team just got greener! We were fortunate to tour Recology, Sonoma Marin’s new Materials Recovery Facility in Santa Rosa. This state of the art facility is where all the materials from your Blue Bin are sorted into commodities – plastics, glass, metals and paper – and then sold to buyers who will ultimately recycle them into new products.
“Waste zero” is their motto. We came away enlightened about how to properly sort our own waste into recycle, compost and landfill bins – what is and is not acceptable in each category. Most of us have been doing a lot wrong! The Green Team will be sharing this information with the congregation during Earth Care Month in April.
Below are tips on how to sort your waste. And as part of our Earth Care month, we have booked May 15 for a St. Andrew tour of Recology so you can see first hand! Look for a sign up list in the Narthex.
RECYCLE (Blue Bin)
Clean and dry metal, glass and plastic containers, cartons, paper, cardboard:
Note, keep recyclables loose- don’t gather in a plastic bag and toss in the bin!
DO NOT RECYCLE
Styrofoam, foods and liquids, hazardous or electronic waste, ceramics, glassware, clothes, bedding, single-use plastics, PPE (personal protective equipment) i.e. surgical gloves or medical waste
COMPOST
Food scraps, uncoated soiled paper i.e. pizza boxes, paper plates, and wooden utensils, plant trimmings
DO NOT COMPOST
Plastic and plastic bags, recyclables (paper, glass, cans), PPE or medical waste, plastic, hazardous or electronic waste, pet waste, diapers and toilet paper
LANDFILL
Snack wrappers and chip bags, coffee cups and lids, polystyrene foam, filmy packaging i.e. Amazon envelopes, single -use plastic (bags, cups, straws, plastic cutlery), PPE i.e. surgical gloves and masks, diapers and pet wastes
DO NOT PUT INTO LANDFILL
Dirt, rocks, concrete, hazardous or electronic waste (batteries, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, medical waste, food and liquids, plant trimmings, recyclables
SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY, JUNE 8
ST. ANDREW RECYCLING COLLECTION
We will be collecting selected items listed below to haul to Stage Gulch Transfer Station or the Central Landfill on Meacham Road. Note: this is NOT a dump run! Last year some people brought items we could not recycle and we were overwhelmed!
We are able to accept the following:
• Paint
• Small quantities of household chemicals
• Light bulbs
• Batteries
• Electronic items up to small appliances
• Metal items
• Cardboard
We cannot accept:
• Rugs
• Furniture
• Vacuum cleaners
• Electric yard equipment
• Lawn Mower Motors
• Refuse
We have a 15 gallon limit per visit on paint which extends to any liquid and 125 lb. limit on solid materials at the hazardous waste facility.
The Green Team thanks you for joining us in creating a heathier environment.
