Recycling is Changing

Recycling is Changing

Clinton residents and business owners have always been proud of their dedication to recycling. 

Yet with the radical shift in the world recycling market, there is a need to shift how we recycle.  The two biggest markets for recycling, China (plastics, metals) and India (paper), recently enacted policies that have nearly closed the market for US recycling. Why?  Because the contamination levels of our recycling is too high.

What is Recycling Contamination?

Recycling Contamination is when incorrect items/materials are put into the system or when the right items/materials are prepared the wrong way (i.e. food and drink residue in containers, recyclables in plastic bags, grease on pizza boxes, shrink wrap on cardboard...and much more)

Why Recycling Contamination Matters

When a load of recycling contain too many contaminants, the whole load is sent to the landfill. The Town of Clinton pays 50% more when recycling loads are contaminated, adding tens of thousands of dollars to our costs, and negating the efforts we each make.  But there is hope.

What We Can Do

Each of us can make sure we are taking three simple steps to end recycling contamination: 1) Know What to Throw (see the graphic below for guidance); 2) Keep it Empty, Clean, and Dry; 3) Don't Bag It...and please keep your containers covered when placed outside.

The town is working with our recycling contractor to provide helpful updates and reminders so that each of us explore can ideas on how to REDUCE our dependency on recycled items, REUSE items we would normally recycle, and to offer simple guidelines so that we are at our best when we RECYCLE.

(please right click to see the important graphic below)

For any questions, please email us at contactus@clintonnj.gov