Bartow, New York, residents misuse recycling bins

The Ledger, Pittsford, New York, reports residents of Bartow are mistaking the city-issued blue and yellow recycling bins for trash cans.

“When a recycle bin with garbage in it is unloaded into the city’s truck, it contaminates the whole load,” City Manager George Long told the newspaper. “We are seeing a trend that this is increasing.” 

He estimated as much as half the recycling is contaminated, though the city’s recycler, Republic Services, headquartered in Phoenix, still is collecting the material. He also suggested the city implement either a financial incentive for residents to recycle correctly or a penalty against mistakes or eliminate the curbside program entirely.

“If we can’t change behavior, there’s no purpose in continuing with recycling containers,” Long told The Ledger. “We’re better off putting out a second garbage container.” 

Long will hold a workshop with city commissioners Sept. 12, 2016, to evaluate options, The Ledger reports.