Recycling contamination is improving
By Terry Murry on Thursday, July 29th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — The city of Walla Walla is thanking residents for helping reduce recycling contamination levels. Photos taken of what residents set out for recycling in early May were compared to photos taken just a few days ago and there was a noticeable improvement. The images were taken on the same route and collection day.
The city said it’s seeing less plastic, less bagged items, fewer single-use plastic bags and textiles. While there has been significant progress, the city said there’s still work to be done.
As for plastics, which the city is not recycling currently, number 1 and 2 bottles are the top contaminant.
“Plastics will be reintroduced at some point,” Public Works spokesman Shane Prudente said. “With regard to when number 1 and 2 plastics will be re-introduced, we hope to do that within the year.”
Prudente reminded residents that many plastics, such as toys and furniture, cannot be recycled at all. He adds that plastic bags/plastic film and Styrofoam are the next two top contaminants in recycling. In the coming weeks and months, the city will begin spot-checking bins and let customers know how they are doing. For more information, including current recycling guidelines, visit www.wallawalla.gov/recycling.
