Austin Recycling 101
Proper send-off:
Use recycling bins and drop-off spots for responsible disposal
Evidence of Austin's commitment to the environment is everywhere. Take recycling. Since 2000, the amount of refuse diverted from Austin's trash has risen steadily, with nearly 30 percent of all trash now being recycled. With the new single-stream recycling system allowing more items to be recycled than before, that percentage is bound to increase. Since the program's inception, however, many readers have expressed confusion about what new items can be recycled. Here, you will find information about what is accepted in the single-stream bins, as well as where to take items that are not.
What is new?
In addition to the paper, glass, metal and plastic containers that were recyclable under Austin's old program, the following items are now recyclable in single-stream bins:
• Paperboard. In addition to corrugated cardboard, recycle cereal boxes, six-pack holders and other food packaging. Cardboard egg cartons also are accepted.
• Plastics. Recycle any plastic container (not bags) marked Nos. 1 through 7, including yogurt and margarine containers (must be clean).
• Wrapping paper (not metallic)
• Phone books
• Aerosol cans (must be empty)
• Bottle caps. Plastic screw-top and metal flip-top are both accepted.
• Shredded paper (preferably inside a paper bag or other recyclable container).
• Envelopes. Plastic windows are acceptable.
These items are not recyclable in the single-stream bins. When available, weve listed other options for recycling:
• Plastic bags. Most H-E-B, Randall's, Target and Wal-Mart stores accept clean plastic bags, including shrink wrap from packaging.
• Foam. Cycled Plastics accepts Styrofoam (cups, egg cartons, take-out containers) and other kinds of foam for recycling. Foam-in-place, yellow foam with gray bagging is not accepted. Clean food residue from items first. Plastic foam take-out trays with any type of oil stain is not recyclable. If you have foam packing peanuts to recycle, bag them separately (shipping/mailing businesses sometimes accept foam peanuts as well). Drop off items at 10200 McKalla Place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Do not drop off on weekends. 339-8787.
• Foil, including foil food containers. Ecology Action, Ninth Street and Interstate 35. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.
• Pizza boxes
• Yard waste/leaves (set out for yard trimmings pickup by the city, which will recycle it into compost or mulch.)
• Food waste. For tips on composting, visit www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/compost.htm. If composting is not an option, the City of Austin recommends disposing of food waste in the trash rather than the garbage disposal.
• Large metal items, including frying pans and large metal pipes.
• Large plastic items. Plastic containers must be gallon-sized or smaller.
• Wire coat hangers. Most dry cleaners, including Jack Brown and Ricks, accept metal hangers.
• Incandescent light bulbs. Dispose of in the trash.
• Wax-coated paper milk or juice containers.
• Wax paper.
Electronics
Many electronics, including television sets and computers, contain mercury and other pollutants and should not be disposed of in the trash if possible. If you are concerned about donating a computer that contains private data, visit www.statesman.com/lifeguide for information on clearing hard drives.
• Computers. Project Reconnect, a partnership between Goodwill Austin and Dell Computers, accepts computers and computer accessories, such as keyboards and printers, for recycling. Drop off items at any Austin-area Goodwill location. Goodwill Computer Works, 1015 Norwood Park Blvd. 637-7501, www.austincomputerworks.org.
• Television sets. Also accepted at Goodwill locations, or put on curb during Austin's solid waste services bulk pickup day.
Ink jet cartridges
• Ecology Action, 707 E. Ninth St.
• Megabyte Express, 6500 Burnet Road. 452-8855. Helps groups such as the Humane Society raise money through cartridge recycling.
Cell phones
Cellular phones can contain pollutants, so it's best not to throw an old or broken phone in the trash. Because functioning cell phones can be used to dial 911, they are sought by some charities. To erase the data on your phone before you donate, visit www.recellular.com/recycling/data_eraser to download model-specific, step-by-step instructions.
• Megabyte Express, 6500 Burnet Road. Allows donors to choose a charity to get profits from the phones value.
• SafePlace, 1515 Grove Blvd., Building D. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays.
• Cell Phones for Soldiers, www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com or any AT&T store
• Travis County Sheriff's Office, 5555 Airport Blvd. Phones are donated to domestic abuse victims for emergency use.
Eyeglasses
The Lions Club places eyeglass donation boxes in various locations. For a complete list and information on how to get a box, visit www.austindowntownlions.org/eyeglasses_recycling.php.
• Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth St.
• Senior Activity Center, 2874 Shoal Crest Ave.
• All Lens Crafters locations, including 2901 S. Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360)
Magazines
• Check with your local hospital or health clinic. Seton Northwest Hospital, 11113 Research Blvd.; University Medical Center at Brackenridge, 601 E. 15th St.; and Peoples Community Clinic, 2909 N. Interstate 35, accept magazine donations. The magazines must be family-friendly and current. Seton Northwest does not accept magazines older than six months. The organizations also request that donations are kept small.
• The Carver, Oak Springs and Spicewood Springs branches of the Austin Public Library offer a magazine exchange program for patrons.
Fabric
• University Medical Center at Brackenridge Volunteer Services Office, 601 E. 15th St. 324-7584. Accepts donations of cotton or flannel fabric to make blankets and pillows for patients.
• The Senior Mitzvah Knitters of the Jewish Community Association of Austin accept donations of four-ply yarn to make baby blankets for the children's hospital and other projects. Contact Lisa Quay, 735-8086 or lisa.quay@shalomaustin.org.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs
• City of Austin Hazardous Waste Facility, 2514 Business Center Drive. The facility is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 7 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit the Solid Waste Services Web site at www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws.
• IKEA, 1 IKEA Way (off Exit 256 on Interstate 35 North), Round Rock.
• Home Depot locations, including 1200 Barbara Jordan Blvd., 10515 N. MoPac Boulevard and 3600 S. Interstate 35.
Paint, motor oil, cleaning products
• City of Austin Hazardous Waste Facility, 2514 Business Center Drive (see entry above).
Additional resources
• Ecology Action, Ninth Street and Interstate 35 (southbound access road), accepts all items accepted by the City of Austin as well as foil and plastic bags during business hours. For directions and more information, visit www.ecology-action.org. Ecology Action has closed its centers in Manor and Cedar Park due to lack of funding. The Bertram location, a 24-hour station at the water tower off Texas 29, remains open.
• The Williamson County Recycling Center accepts used oil, scrap metal (including washed tin cans), cardboard, newspaper, aluminum, cell phones, plastic and e-waste, including computers, monitors, keyboards and cables. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. (512) 846-2756.
By Peter Mongillo AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, April 19, 2009
