Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Ton: Don't dump trash into the recycling and clean recyclables

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By KEVIN NEVERS

Chesterton Town Manager Bernie Doyle and Town Council Member Jim Ton, R-1st, are asking residents to take more care in their disposal of trash.

At issue: too much garbage is ending up in the recycling bins provided by Republic Service (d.b.a. Able Disposal).

“Republic is losing money on contaminated recyclables,” Doyle reported at Monday night’s council meeting. “And that could cost us money in the long run.”

Putting trash in the trash bin, and only clean recyclables in the recycling bin, “will eliminate the time-cost in separating trash from recyclables and putting it in the land fill,” Ton said.

“We pay for the privilege of recycling,” Ton noted. “Republic must have a market to sell those recyclables, and buyers aren’t as interested recently in purchasing them. If Republic can’t make money, they must increase what we pay.”

Items which Republic Services will accept for recycling:

* Paper: officer paper, newspaper, envelopes, junk mail, phone books, brochures, magazines, catalogues.

* Cardboard: file folders, paste board, shipping boxes (folded flat), frozen food boxes, cardboard boxes, milk cartons.

* Plastic: water bottles, take-out containers, soda bottles, detergent/shampoo bottles, containers.

* Metal: aluminum, beverage cans, foods cans, steel food containers.

* Glass: bottles (clear, green, and brown), jars.

Items which Republic Services will not accept for recycling:

* Plastic bags or plastic wrap.

* Aerosol cans.

* Aluminum foil.

* Batteries.

* Food waste.

* Pizza boxes.

* Electronic waste.

* Mirrors or ceramics.

* Paint.

* Pesticides.

* Stryofoam.

* Medications.

* Tissues, paper towels, and napkins.

* Syringes and needles.

Republic Services is asking residents in particular to empty all items of food residue; then rinse and clean them; and finally to let them dry before putting into the bin.

“Trying to recycle unclean or unrecyclable material increases sorting time and slows down the recycling process, damages the facility’s equipment, and causes contaminants in the bales of clean recyclables and decreases the value of the items,” Republic Services said. “When this happens, we have to put the entire load of recyclables into our landfills due to contamination.”

CMS Field Trip

Ton took a moment at the end of the meeting to thank all the town officials and employees who met with the students of Chesterton Middle School social studies teacher Christine Bullock during a recent summer school field trip.

“I really appreciate everyone’s stepping up and assisting our students in learning about local government,” Bullock said in an e-mail to Ton. “I want to thank (Police Chief Dave Cincoski) for giving a great presentation/discussion with my students. I want my students to understand the importance of being involved and speaking up to help their community”

“I am extremely proud of the working relationship the school district has with the Town Council, their employees, and the Police Department,” Bullock added. “Thank you for all that you do each day for our community and most of all our students!”

Others who participated during the field trip: Town Manager Bernie Doyle, Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg, Town Engineer Mark O’Dell, Clerk-Treasurer Stephanie Kuziela, and the staff at the municipal complex.

 

 

Posted 6/28/2018

 
 
 
 

 

 

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