Tips for Residents to be ‘Cart Smart’ with Recycling

Recycling has long been a method of reducing waste in local landfills while preserving natural resources. Ron Smith, Statesville City Manager, emphasizes the importance of proper recycling, stating, "It's important to recycle the right way and improve the quality of material collected through our program. Knowing what can and cannot go into the cart is vital to maintaining Statesville's recycling program and aiding North Carolina's thriving recycling industry."

The City of Statesville provides single-stream recycling to approximately 15,000 single-family and multi-family homes. Recyclable materials are collected in separate containers during regular garbage collection every other week.

When well-meaning residents put non-recyclable items in their recycling cart or bin, it causes contamination of the recycling mix. That means local material recovery facilities must spend more time and money to sort out the rising levels of non-recyclables and trash. Bagged recyclables are automatically rejected without inspection.

To help make recycling more efficient, remember these simple tips:

• Place empty cans, plastic bottles (#1 and #2), paper, and cardboard in the recycling bin. Keep everything else out, including glass.
• Do not bag your recyclable items.
• Do not put plastic bags, cords, hoses, and other string-like items in the recycling bin as they can tangle around rotating equipment.
• Avoid putting other things that could be hazardous to workers who sort recycling – like batteries, needles, sharp objects, and food residue – into the recycling bin.
• Do not put Styrofoam cups and containers in the recycling bin.
• When in doubt, throw it out!

For more information about the City of Statesville's recycling program and best practices, please visit our official website at www.statesvillenc.net.

Join us in our commitment to preserving the environment, conserving resources, and ensuring the success of recycling in our community. Let's all be 'cart smart' and contribute to a greener and more sustainable Statesville.