Q. Are there any changes to the R@W program since its beginnings
in 1997?
A. Yes! We are excited to announce that more recyclables
are acceptable in the program beginning this year.
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Q. Can we recycle
any plastic that has a recycling sign and number on it?
A. The City
now collects every type of plastic – numbers one
through seven. If the plastic has a recycling symbol on it,
you can put it in the “Bottles & Cans” bin regardless
of the number.
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Q. Do we have to worry about labels?
A. No. You can leave labels
on bottles and cans!
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Q. What do we do with bottle caps and lids?
A. Before tossing your
bottle into the recycling bin, be sure to remove the cap, then put only the bottle into the bin. Removal of the cap allows for evaporation and prevents retention of residual liquid. Extra liquid causes a number of problems: it adds weight, which adds to the energy (and fossil fuel emissions) necessary to transport the recyclables; it creates a mess and dirties the recycling plant.
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Q. Can we recycle envelopes with the plastic windows? What about
staples? Spiral notebooks? Glossy advertisements? Sticky notes?
A. You'll like the answer to this one; all of these items are fine to toss into the "Commingled" recycling bin. In the recycling process, all paper, even glossy, is converted to pulp, and all non-natural fibers such as metal will be strained out. So don't waste your time removing staples, spiral bindings, or plastic windows!
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Q. Can we recycle paper with tape on it?
A. It's OK to leave tape on paper; however, it
does gum up machines and reduce the efficiency of recycling. Try
to remove obvious tape from papers and posters before recycling ...
but again, don't waste your time scraping tape off of paper!
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Q. Can we recycle neon/fluorescent paper?
A. This kind of paper is non-recyclable, and there is a City-wide ban on its purchase.
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Q. Can ream wrappers be recycled?
A. The City of San José has just switched over to 100% post-consumer recycled content paper (Harbor 100). Only these ream wrappers are recyclable. Other ream wrappers have a clay barrier that contaminates paper reprocessing in large quantities and are not recyclable.
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Q. Are all plastic bags recyclable? Which bin do they go in?
A. No. Only the following film plastic bags are recyclable: bread, dry cleaning, fresh produce, grocery and newspaper bags.
Reduce waste in the first place by making an effort to carry a re-usable bag or backpack. However, with those bags you do have, try to reuse them. They make great small trash can liners! They may be recycled in the “Commingled” container.
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Q. Can ink cartridges be recycled?
A. Yes. See the Remanufactured Toner Cartridges memorandum for your departmental coordinator and instructions.
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Q. Are blueprints recyclable?
A. Blueprints that are ammonia-based (printed with blue ink) are not recyclable in the program, and must be discarded in waste bins.
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Q. What about recycling appliances, electronics, or other large items?
A. Contact the Surplus Program.
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Q. What do I do with packing peanuts?
A. Call the Peanut Hotline
(yes, there is a peanut hotline) at 1-800-828-2214 for a list of area businesses or click on Drop-off Sites. If the nearest Peanut Hotline site is too far from you, look up a packaging store business in the yellow pages and ask them if they would like your plastic loosefill. You can also ask a local craft shop if they can use your extra loosefill.
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Q. Where can I recycle batteries? Why should I?
A. Yes - you should recycle batteries because they contain toxic chemicals; if placed in a landfill, they could contaminate groundwater and soil. In Feburary 2006, it became illegal to dispose of batteries in a landfill in California. Each facility should have a battery receptacle. If you're not sure where to find a receptacle, speak to your administrative officer or facility manager.
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Q. Why can't I recycle pizza boxes?
A. The actual cardboard of the pizza boxes is recyclable; it is
the food residue that is almost sure to have seeped into the cardboard that the recycling company doesn't want. When recycling collectors see a food-soaked item in a cardboard recycling bin, they may assume that the entire bin is "contaminated;" they can't take the time to sort out the good and the bad cardboard. We have to provide them with clean, ready-to-recycle products!
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Q. Why do the recyclables still need to be sorted? Everything goes into one bin at home.
A. It is City policy to utilize the San José Conservation Corps, which is partially funded by the State, to collect cans and bottles at its facilities. The new Commingled Recyclables are collected by the garbage hauler, GreenTeam of San José.
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Q. How important is it that I prepare recyclables correctly? Doesn't this take a long time?
A. It is desirable to prepare items correctly before placing them in recycling bins. This means:
- Flatten boxes.
- Clean out obvious food residue from plastics (such as a yogurt container). You do not have to rinse out drink bottles; sugary soda residue is acceptable!
- Remove bottle caps (so that residue can evaporate and not add weight and mess).
Custodians cannot take the time to separate dirty containers, remove pizza boxes,
or flatten other boxes. Please take a few extra seconds and move any items inappropriately placed in the recycling bin to the trash - this will earn you major points from the recycling fairy!
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Q. Does stuff put in recycling bins get thrown away?
A. Unfortunately, sometimes it does if it is contaminated. Even a piece of food can send an entire bin of recycling to the dump. In addition, the international commodities markets do fluctuate, sometimes making simple dumping less costly than recycling. This is rare, however, and if you buy recycled, the demand for the recyclables will increase. You're not really recycling unless you buy recycled products!
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Q. Is there a recycling contact in my office/facility?
A. If your location has a facility manager, he or she is typically the main contact for waste/recycling issues. Also check with your Administrative Officer and other senior management.
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Q. What if the recycling pick-up is missed, bins are overflowing, or an extra
pickup is needed?
A. Contact R@W staff directly, who will make collection arrangements with the contractor.
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Q. Do I have to use the Eco-Can?
A. In most cases, yes. Eco-cans must be emptied daily or as needed into central garbage containers by the employee, not by custodians. Exceptions to Eco-Can use will be made for special circumstances. Exceptions may include: to provide service to an employee with limited mobility (for ADA compliance); to serve multi-person and shared workstations; and to serve desks used on multiple shifts. In these cases, additional central garbage containers will be placed at the discretion of the Recycling Coordinator or Custodial Supervisors.
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Q. What if I don't have an Eco-Can or recycling bin at my desk? How can I get containers for myself and/or my workplace?
A. It’s easy to request supplies! Just go
to Order
Recycling Supplies to view the containers, choose quantities,
enter contact and delivery information, and submit!
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Q. My office doesn’t have recycling. How can we get service?
A. Each City facility should already be outfitted with appropriate recycle bins. In most cases, the reason your office may not be recycling is because the City leases the space and recycling is often not included in the lease. Leased spaces are handled on a case-by-case basis – please discuss options with R@W staff. If your location doesn’t have bins, just let us know.
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Q. My facility has residential service. Who do I contact?
A. Some small facilities, mostly fire stations, are served by the City’s residential collectors. Call the Customer Contact Center for service issues.
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Q. How does recycling help me as a City employee?
A. The benefits of recycling have direct impacts:
- The City saves money (about $500,000 annually). This can translate into more money for critical city services. San José pays $96 per ton to dispose of waste at the landfill.
- By practicing environmental behaviors at work, we are setting an example to
other agencies and businesses that we are “walking the talk.”
- By taking action today, we ensure a sustainable tomorrow.
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Q. What are the top three simple steps I can take to reduce landfilled
waste and improve recycling at work?
- Reduce consumption of, reuse, and recycle your paper. Two-thirds of the City’s recyclable stream is paper.
- Don't buy things you don't really need and buy in bulk to reduce packaging. Per day, the average City Employee generates about 4.5 lbs of trash and 2.5 lbs of recyclables. That’s 1,750 lbs. per employee per year!
- Recycle to the best of your ability, every day.
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