Although it seems like a simple thing, recycling properly is actually a process most people are misinformed about.
As part of Thursday’s Young at Heart gathering, Steve Waddell from the Wright Co. Compost and Recycling Facility (WCCRF) in Buffalo gave a presentation about some of the facts and misunderstandings of the recycling process.
“Recycling worked for our old culture,” explained Waddell. “But it’s changed, and today we believe all the items we’re recycling are getting used (they’re not) so we waste more.”
Although WCCRF offers traditional recycling services for residents who don’t have curbside recycling, it’s main purpose is recycling hazardous materials in order to keep them out of the water supply.
Waddell explained many people don’t actually understand how recycling works today. For example, paper and glass used to be valuable commodities but today have no real value. Plastic is cheaper so no one wants the glass.
“Cardboard is one now of the most valuable recyclable materials,” he said. “Why? Because of Amazon. People order huge numbers of items online and cardboard is needed to ship them.”
Aluminum has stayed stable throughout the years so it also has value, as does steel, however, it usually comes in mixed with other materials so it ends up as ‘mixed metal.’
“At one point plastic had great promise,” said Waddell. “The reality is it’s cheaper to make new plastic bottles than to recycle them. If someone could come up with a way to reuse plastic in an economical way they’d be the next millionaire.”
Most plastic today ends up stored or in landfills no matter what number is stamped on them.
Paint is the most common hazardous item dropped off at WCCRF. Waddell estimates they take in around 1,000 cans a week. Water-based latex paint is sent on to a recycling facility in Anoka. Once it’s dry it’s safe, so if a paint can is almost empty he recommends just letting it dry and then putting it in the garbage.
Oil-based paint goes to a concrete plant in Wisconsin where it and other flammable materials are incinerated and used as fuel.
Large amounts of pesticides and herbicides, which are highly toxic, are also brought in to WCCRF. Acids (such as muriatic and hydrochloric) and bases (including home cleaners) are common items, however, if a liquid has low ph or is plant based it can be poured down the drain.
“There’s a new crossover product now,” said Waddell. “Electronic waste. There’s so much of it and it contains a lot of heavy metals, but it’s also a very recyclable product.”
Because of the mercury inside of them, fluorescent lightbulbs are recycled so the metal doesn’t get into the atmosphere. If a bulb is broken, however, it can be thrown in the garbage as the mercury has already escaped.
“Mercury is very harmful,” said Waddell. “It’s one of our heaviest metals.”
An item many people are confused about is batteries. Hearing aid batteries and batteries that aren’t rechargeable can now just be tossed in the garbage. However, rechargeable and lithium batteries need to be recycled.
“Those little button batteries are in everything now and can’t be thrown away,” said Waddell. “We probably fill a 55-gallon barrel with them every year.”
Throughout Waddell’s presentation attendees asked numerous questions, such as whether cans and bottles have to be rinsed out (they don’t), and if zip-lock bags are the same as plastic grocery bags (they’re not). Although WCCRF doesn’t accept grocery bags, most grocery stores have collection bins for them.
Waddell stressed recycling facilities are all different in what they accept and what they charge. WCCRF currently charges $20 for televisions, but most other items, including electronics, are free if they’re coming from a household.
“We aren’t trying to make a profit,” he said. “Our primary purpose is to get the hazardous materials off the street.”
Wright Co. residents can call 320-963-5797 or visit the Wright Co. website at co.wright.mn.us for more information, or call 763-682-7338 to make a drop off appointment. Stearns and Sherburne Cos also have facilities for their residents.
