Outagamie, WI County Ramps up ‘Oops Tag’ Program

Depending on the amount of non-recyclable materials inside it, the driver may elect not to empty the cart to avoid contaminating their entire load.

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Outagamie County is stepping up its “Oops Tag” program after seeing an increase in plastics bags, batteries, shredded paper and more being placed into curbside recycling carts. As part of the program, when drivers collecting curbside recycling see a cart with material(s) that shouldn’t be in it, they’ll place an Oops Tag on it with a note alerting the resident as to what shouldn’t have been placed inside. Depending on the amount of non-recyclable materials inside it, the driver may elect not to empty the cart to avoid contaminating their entire load.

“The program isn’t meant to chastise or make anyone feel bad, it’s just to give them a heads up and say ‘hey, we noticed something in your cart that shouldn’t be here,’ and it shows them how to better recycle for next time,” said Jordan Hiller, recycling and solid waste program coordinator for Outagamie County. For residents that receive an Oops Tag, simply remove and properly dispose of the materials identified, and when recycling is scheduled for pick up again, place your cart back out to your curb.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com