EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Thanks to community education and other efforts led by the Environmental Services Department (ESD), El Paso achieved its “lowest-ever” recycling contamination rate, dipping below the national average, the City of El Paso announced in a news release.
The City said the current recycling contamination rate stands at 20.04 percent, a significant drop from the previous year’s 25 percent and notably below the national average of 25 percent.
“We’re thrilled by the community’s commitment to cleaner recycling. El Paso is now a model for other cities, thanks to the enthusiastic response to our Curbside Recycling Program’s education and enforcement initiatives,” Nick Ybarra, director of the ESD said. “Reaching a 20 percent contamination rate is an outstanding achievement that underscores our residents’ dedication to sustainability.”
The Curbside Recycling Program, which was launched in 2007, has seen expanded education and enforcement efforts in recent years to reduce the number of non-recyclable items ending up in blue bins, according to the City.
The City said key outreach activities include a required educational course on recycling guidelines for households before they can participate in the program, ensuring residents understand what does — and does not — belong in recycling bins.
“Contaminated recycling costs the City approximately $100,000 annually due to the added expense of hauling non-recyclable materials from the privately owned recycling plant to the City’s landfill,” read the news release.
The following recycling tips were provided by the City:
Flatten cardboard boxes.
Do not bag recyclables, items should remain loose in blue bins.
Plastic bags, glass, and E-waste do NOT belong in blue bins. Take them to a Citizen Collection Station.
Do not place Styrofoam in the blue bins.
When in doubt, throw it out (in the gray bin).
For more tips, visit www.ElPasoTexas.gov/recycle, call (915) 212-6000, or download the free ESD Works for You App.
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