New Content: Recycling Videos - Milwaukee
Frequently Asked Questions
Recycling as much as possible requires knowing all of the facts. Not sure what can be recycled or why some types of plastics are accepted while others are not? Do you have lots of other questions?
Then browse through the following topics for answers to commonly asked questions about recycling.
Do my recyclables end up in the landfill with everything else?
What happens to my recyclables after they get picked up?
What kinds of products will my recyclables become?
How does recycling affect climate change? Are the impacts significant?
Will Milwaukee ever offer more frequent pickup of recyclables?
Will Milwaukee ever switch to single-stream collection, meaning no sorting will be required?
How do I file a complaint about a business that does not recycle at all?
Why can't Milwaukee recycle any other kinds of plastics, other than #1 & 2?
Why do some communities accept plastics #1-7?
Do I need to remove the plastic rings from the tops of my #1 and #2 plastic containers?
Can plastic bags be recycled? What about bread bags and plastic packaging?
What is the process for plastic recycling?
Are staples ok to recycle with paper? How about envelopes with plastic windows?
Can I include carbon copy paper with my paper and cardboard recyclables?
Are sticky notes ok to recycle with paper?
How can I recycle shredded paper?
What is the process for paper recycling?
What is the process for glass recycling?
Why can't I recycle broken glasses or other glass materials with my glass bottles and jars?
What is the process for metal recycling?
Can I recycle empty aerosol cans?
What can I do with my old electronics?
How do I dispose of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)?
Are compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) better for the environment, even though they contain mercury?
Do household batteries need to be recycled?
Can I recycle used motor oil, oil filters, and used antifreeze?
How can I recycle old clothing if I think the items are not good enough to donate?
How do I dispose of unused medicine?
How can I dispose of leftover paint in Milwaukee?
General Recycling
Do my recyclables end up in the landfill with everything else?
Answer: No. All recyclable materials accepted in the program are sent to recycling markets. It is only the non-accepted items that are sorted out and sent to a landfill. When collection crews occasionally encounter a recycling cart with too much contamination (garbage or non-recyclables), they leave behind an orange tag and if not resorted by the residence, a fine is issued and a garbage truck is sent to collect it instead.
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What happens to my recyclables after they get picked up?
Answer: After recyclables are collected at the curb or drop off site, they are taken to a Materials
Recovery Facility (MRF) where they are sorted and processed into bales of similar material according to the needs of the buyer. A combination of machinery including conveyor belts, screens, and magnets, along with hand sorters, separate the recyclables into marketable commodities that have value. From there, the materials are sold to markets where they are manufactured into new products.
What kinds of products will my recyclables become?
Answer: Paper, cardboard, steel, aluminum, glass and plastic are shipped to manufacturing plants to be made into new products such as newsprint, packaging, writing paper, new cans and bottles, metal products, carpet, and plastic lumber. Businesses pay for these sorted recyclables as raw materials. The recyclables in your bin or cart are much too valuable to throw away! To see a video of the recycling process, visit www.RecycleMoreWisconsin.org
.
How does recycling affect climate change? Are the impacts significant?
Answer: When compared with extracting, processing, and manufacturing products from virgin raw materials and then disposing of them in a landfill, recycling saves large amounts of energy and results in the emission of far fewer greenhouse gases. For more information, visit www.nrc-recycle.org
.
Will Milwaukee ever offer more frequent pickup of recyclables?
Answer: The long-term vision of the Department of Public Works is to collect recyclables on a guaranteed set schedule of every other week instead of the current once/month standard for routes with
95-gallon recycling carts. DPW has piloted twice/month collection for over 7,000 households the last couple of summers. However, expanding this will require additional resources that the current city budget does not support.
Will Milwaukee ever switch to single-stream collection, meaning no sorting will be required?
Answer: Single stream collection of recyclables does hold some advantages, but it results in higher costs to sort/process the materials. DPW is currently investigating future recyclables collection and processing options, including single stream, as the dual stream processing equipment in the City’s facility has surpassed its expected lifetime.
How do I file a complaint about a business that does not recycle at all?
Answer: Complaints about non-recycling at a business should be directed to your local
DNR Recycling Coordinator. From there they will be routed to the appropriate Recycling Responsible
Unit (unit of government that is responsible for recycling activities in the area) for follow-up. The DNR
Recycling Coordinators for the Milwaukee area is:
Nancy Gloe (Milwaukee, Walworth, and Waukesha Counties) (414) 263-8369
Does the City compost the leaves it collects in the fall or do they end up in a landfill? If they are composted, can the public use that compost?
Answer: All of the leaves and brush collected by the City of Milwaukee are composted, as are all types of yard trimmings brought to Sanitation Self-Help Centers by Milwaukee residents. The City contracts with a private company to transfer these materials from our sites to their compost operation. The company produces finished compost and markets it in bulk form to other companies that bag it under various brand names and sell it in retail stores. Milwaukee leaves, brush, and yard trimmings come full circle to replenish yards and gardens of residents who purchase compost from local stores.
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Plastics
Why can't Milwaukee recycle any other kinds of plastics, other than #1 & 2?
Answer: Over 90% of household plastics are #1 and #2, and those are the valuable grades for which there are many markets and strong demand. The City of Milwaukee only accepts #1 (PETE) and #2
(HDPE) plastics primarily because there currently are no reliable landfill alternatives for plastics numbered
3-7.
Why do some communities accept plastics #1-7?
Answer: A simpler public message of accept ing all plastics can lead to an actual increase in 1’s and 2’s recycled that is worth the relatively few 37’s that are collected and landfilled. Communities can employ this strategy of accepting all 1-7 plastics when the recycling facility they use has optical sensors to sort 1's
& 2's automatically from the rest of the plastics. The City of Milwaukee’s system relies on manual plastic sorting through visual identification, which would be overly complicated by the inclusion of five additional plastic resin types. In the future, recycling markets may develop for 37’s as average oil prices continue to climb.
Do I need to remove the plastic rings from the tops of my #1 and #2 plastic containers?
Answer:
No. The plastic rings and lids are usually made of a different type of plastic than the actual container and are not recyclable. While lids should be removed from the containers and thrown in the trash, you do not have to remove the rings.
Can plastic bags be recycled? What about bread bags and plastic packaging?
Answer: Plastic shopping bags can be recycled, but they should NOT be included with household recyclables in most communities because they become tangled or wound in machinery at the recycling facility. The machinery is engineered for sorting rigid container plastics only. Plastic bag recycling options are increasing. A growing number of retailers in Wisconsin, such as supermarkets, retail stores and dry cleaners, voluntarily accept plastic bags for recycling. In some of these locations, you may also be able to recycle other types of plastic bags and film, so check with the retailer to find out what is accepted for recycling.
The best option is to avoid using disposable shopping bags by instead using a reusable cloth bag or other reusable container. Reuse is also a good choice as many consumers reuse plastic bags as trash liners or pet waste bags. Find out more about plastic bag recycling through the Wisconsin DNR website: www.dnr.state.wi.us
.
What is the process for plastic recycling?
Answer: The plastic is collected, sorted, baled, and then transported to a market. It is then chipped or
"flaked", washed and pelletized. Now it can be used interchangeably with virgin resin pellets in new bottles, plastic lumber or other products. PET (#1) plastic can be extruded into a fiber to be used in polyester carpet, T-shirts, canvas bags, fiberfill in winter coats, etc. To learn more about PET recycling, visit www.napcor.com
.
Paper
Are staples ok to recycle with paper? How about envelopes with plastic windows?
Answer: Yes. Screening equipment at paper recycling mills can remove these small contaminants.
Paper clips and binder clips should be recovered for reuse, though you don’t have to remove those either.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov
.
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Can I include carbon copy paper with my paper and cardboard recyclables?
Answer: The old style carbon paper that virtually no one uses anymore is not recyclable, but the "carbon copy" forms now prevalently in use are actually carbonless copy forms and ARE fully recyclable. You can identify the true carbon (non-recyclable) forms by the dark waxy-feeling carbon layer covering the entire back of the sheet---which is the physical carbon that is transferred. The forms we all pretty much use now function without that carbon layer, so they are as recyclable as regular paper.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov
.
Are sticky notes ok to recycle with paper?
Answer: It is true that many papers containing self adhesives cause problems at paper mills. However, the makers of the adhesive used in Post-it notes (3M) use a type of adhesive that is fully compatible with the recycling process, so we do accept them in our program here in the City of Milwaukee.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov
.
How can I recycle shredded paper?
Answer: Please place your shredded paper in a paper bag and staple or roll the top down; then you can place the bag with the rest of your recyclable papers. This helps keep the paper shreds from blowing all over during collection and sorting, keeping it together so it makes its way into the bale and off to the paper mill where it is recycled.
What is the process for paper recycling?
Answer:
Recyclable papers are mixed together with water in a pulper and broken down into small fibers. The mixture is then sent through screens and other separation processes to remove ink, dirt, metal, and other contaminants. Water is removed from the clean pulp mixture and the fibers are formed into new paper.
For more detailed information about paper recycling, visit www.epa.gov
.
Glass
What is the process for glass recycling?
Answer:
Glass containers are sorted by color and crushed before going through a series of steps to remove contaminants. The crushed glass or cullet is then heated with raw materials and molded into new glass containers. It can take as little as 30 days for the new products to be back on the shelf! For more information, visit www.epa.gov
.
Why can't I recycle broken glasses or other glass materials with my glass bottles and jars?
Answer:
The manufacturing of different glass products such as drinking glasses, window glass, and ceramics or china requires the addition of ingredients that are considered contaminants in the glass recycling process.
Additionally, these items may damage sorting equipment, which is engineered specifically for jars and containers.
Metal
What is the process for metal recycling?
Answer:
Aluminum cans are shredded and melted down to form ingots, or chunks of solid aluminum, which can be transported and then melted down and molded or rolled into the desired shape or product, such as
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aluminum sheet for the production of new aluminum cans. Steel is melted and formed into sheets which can be used in the making of new steel products such as new cans, car parts, and construction materials.
Visit the U.S. EPA’s website for more information about aluminum and steel recycling.
Can I recycle empty aerosol cans?
Answer:
Yes, you may recycle them with your glass, metal, and plastic recyclables, but they must be completely empty and have the plastic lid removed.
Can I recycle metal lids?
Answer:
Yes, you can recycle them by securing them inside of metal cans and placing the cans with your glass, metal, and plastic recyclables.
Other items
What can I do with my old electronics?
Answer: Computers, computer accessories, TVs, cell phones and other electronics pose a potential risk to the environment and human health if disposed of in a landfill, incinerated or illegally dumped. This is because almost all electronics contain lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, other heavy metals and chemical flame retardants. The US EPA estimates that approximately 2 million tons of unwanted electronics are generated each year. By law, businesses and institutions in Wisconsin must either recycle their discarded electronics or determine whether they are hazardous waste and manage them accordingly.
The City of Milwaukee has two Self-Help Recycling and Safe Disposal centers where residents can dropoff computers and computer equipment. Television sets are not accepted at this time. For information about the centers including hours and accepted items, visit www.mpw.net
. For more information on other opportunities for recycling your old electronics, visit our Ideas for Reusing or Recycling Other Items page.
How do I dispose of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)?
Answer: Fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent bulbs, contain mercury. Mercury is toxic and can permanently damage the brain and nervous system and lead to very serious health consequences.
It’s important to properly dispose of these bulbs when they no longer work.
The good news is, there are many options for proper disposal. Many hardware stores and other retailers collect used compact fluorescents for safe disposal. Here is a web site for finding them: www.focusonenergy.com
. Select “Lighting”, “CFL Recycling”, and then “Retailer Search” to find a local retailer that will recycle your old bulbs. For information on Milwaukee’s Household Hazardous Waste drop-off locations, visit www.mpw.net
.
Tubes from businesses must be recycled under Wisconsin law. WasteCap Wisconsin provides information for recycling fluorescent tubes from businesses. Visit www.wastecapwi.org
to find a list of
Wisconsin fluorescent tube recycling markets.
Are compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) better for the environment, even though they contain mercury?
Answer: When weighing the environmental impact, it is important to remember that burning coal to generate electricity releases mercury into the air. The energy saved by using a compact fluorescent bulb prevents more mercury pollution than the amount contained inside of it, and the mercury inside can be
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much more easily contained than air emissions. So, they are still a better choice than incandescent bulbs. Though more expensive and not yet on most store shelves, LED household bulbs have even greater efficiency, longer life spans and no mercury.
Do household batteries need to be recycled?
Answer: Single use AAA-D alkaline batteries are not toxic and can be thrown in the trash. Rechargeable household batteries such as those found in cordless tools, laptops, and cell phones contain hazardous chemicals and should be recycled. Stores that sell those products accept batteries for recycling. Find more information and a list of stores at www.rbrc.org or call 1-877-2-RECYCLE.
You can also try recycling your batteries (even alkaline varieties) through Battery Solutions, Inc. Visit www.batteryrecycling.com
.
Can I recycle used motor oil, oil filters, and used antifreeze? How about the empty bottles?
Answer: You can recycle used oil, filters, and antifreeze by bringing them to one of the City's Self Help
Centers. Locations and hours are listed here: www.mpw.net
. There are also several private auto service shops that accept used oil. They typically do not accept the filters, though. As far as the bottles, even though they might be #2 plastics, the City of Milwaukee does not accept motor oil or antifreeze bottles for recycling. Once drained completely, please place in the regular trash.
How can I recycle old clothing if I think the items are not good enough to donate?
Answer: Clothes that cannot be sold in Goodwill Industry's retail stores are either brokered overseas to developing countries for people with low incomes or sold domestically to companies that make industrial cleaning and wiping rags out of them.
How do I dispose of unused medicine?
Answer: Help protect Lake Michigan by NEVER flushing or pouring unused medicine down the drain.
Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove it. If you can store it safely, save your old meds and bring them to a medicine collection day. Keep an eye on www.mmsd.com
to find out when the next area collection event will be.
How can I dispose of leftover paint in Milwaukee?
Answer: Any oil-based paint that cannot be used up must be brought to an HHW collection site. See www.mmsd.com
and click on “Household Hazardous Waste Collection”. There you will find locations and times of MMSD's 3 permanent sites as well as their mobile collections. There is also a list of acceptable items. Businesses must make direct arrangements with a commercial hazardous waste disposal service provider.
Latex paint can be dried out and then thrown in the regular trash when it is completely solidified. Dry latex paint does not pose a hazard to the environment.
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