Why recycle?
Every day we hear about environmental problems at school, at work, in the newspapers, on television,
and on the radio. Garbage is just one of these environmental concerns. It hits the media every time a
barge filled with garbage is turned away from port and has no place to go. We hear about it when our
taxes are affected by the shipping costs for garbage. We see the impact of it every time we take out the
trash.
In the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, the long-term effect of the loss of our natural resources and
pollution became a cause for concern by the public in general. During that time more and more landfills
were closed, some because of stricter environmental regulations and others because they were filled.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, when much recycling was on a "grassroots" volunteer level, "Recycling
Pays" was a common slogan used to encourage people to recycle. Recycling projects were often used as
fundraisers for community groups such as the Scouts.
Soon, government agencies were asked to formulate long-term plans for trash disposal. Marion
Township did such planning before implementing a recycling program that increased, over time, the
kinds of materials that residents and businesses are to recycle. The township council recognized that all
of us needed to change our habits to help the township maximize its overall waste management efforts.
What materials are recycled?
Beginning in January 20--, Marion Township residents are required to recycle the following materials:

Aluminum, bi-metal, and tin food and beverage cans

Clear, brown, and green bottles and jars

Newspapers and magazines
Businesses must recycle white paper in addition to the above items.
How do you prepare the recyclables?
Food and beverage cans are to be rinsed and placed in a brown recycling container. The cans may be
flattened to save space.
The glass materials are to be separated—clear glass goes in one side of a green recycling container;
colored glass goes in the other side. All jars should be rinsed, but labels do not have to be removed. Jar
lids or rings are not recycled; they should be discarded in the refuse. Do not recycle window glass, light
bulbs, Pyrex, or ceramics. Newspapers and magazines are to be placed in a red recycling container. Do
not tie them in any manner.
White paper (businesses only) includes computer paper, bond paper, copier paper, calculator tapes,
envelopes without plastic window, etc. These materials are to be placed in the blue container.
What is the recycling schedule?
Place your containers at the curb during the first full week of each month, on the same day as your
scheduled garbage collection. Otherwise, you may deposit your recyclables in the appropriate bins
behind the Marion Township Municipal Building.
What is the recycling charge?
The annual $20 recycling fee is payable to Marion Township Recycling Fund by January 31 of each year.