Athens implements single-stream recycling system
Plastic Recycling | 2011-10-26 04:26:54
By making recycling more convenient, the change will bring Athens close to the goal of a 40 percent recycling rate the Athens-Clarke Commission set for 2015
By Paul Ploumis
ATHENS, GREECE (Scrap Monster): The Athens-Clarke Solid Waste Department has introduced single-stream recycling system enabling residents to mix all their recyclable items in one bin instead of sorting the contents into separate bins.
By making recycling more convenient, the change will bring Athens close to the goal of a 40 percent recycling rate the Athens-Clarke Commission set for 2015
Other measures, such as mandatory recycling and recycling bins at apartment complexes, may be put into place over the next year or two as well.
The recently completed $1.2 million renovation of the county’s Hancock Industrial Way recycling facility also allows the department to accept more types of materials.
Officials expect to recoup the expense with revenue from increased recycling. All types of plastic except foam now are accepted, including toys, buckets and other rigid plastic items. However, shredded paper no longer can be put on the curb for pickup because the single-stream equipment can’t sort it, Onlineathens.com reported.
