Rockville's Single-Stream Recycling Program Expands to Take More Plastics, Including Plastic Bags

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News Release

MEDIA CONTACT:
Marylou Berg, Communication Manager, 240-314-8105

Rockville's Single-Stream Recycling Program Expands to Take More Plastics, Including Plastic Bags
Rockville Will Now Have One of the Most Environmentally Progressive Curbside Recycling Programs in the Region

Rockville, Md., August 29, 2008- The Rockville Recycling and Refuse Division announced its recycling program will now take more items, making it one of the most comprehensive curbside recycling programs in the Washington region. The expanded program will now accept more plastic items including "wide-mouth" containers, rigid plastics and plastic film. These items should be placed into recycling containers along with all other recyclables, including cardboard and mixed paper.

Starting immediately, residents can combine the following items with their recycling:

Wide-mouth containers such as peanut butter jars, margarine/butter tubs and prescription bottles. Lids and caps do not need to be removed before recycling.
Rigid plastic items including milk/soda crates, buckets with metal handles, laundry baskets, lawn furniture, coolers, flowerpots, drinking cups, toys and empty plastic garbage/recycling bins.
Plastic film, which includes grocery bags and shrink-wrap. These items must be grouped and placed into one bag for collection. Single bags will not be collected.

As part of the newly expanded program, Rockville's residents can now recycle almost any plastic item except vinyl siding, PVC pipe, paint containers and bottles containing hazardous materials.

Rockville will implement a new refuse and recycling program over the next 18 months. As part of the program, residents will be provided with wheeled carts to handle single-stream recyclables and refuse.

In July, Rockville began to single stream its recycling, which allowed plastics, metal and paper to be mixed in one container. Any recycling items that do not fit into residents' blue recycling bin should be placed next to the bin in paper bags. Large plastic items should be placed next to the blue recycling bin until residents receive their wheeled recycling carts. The City believes the implementation of this new program will increase the recycling rate.

For more information, and a list of all accepted recycling items, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/recycling-refuse or call 240-314-8568.

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