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WRRMA’s Recycling Quality Improvement Program

 

*At this time, glass will not be recycled. PLEASE DO NOT PLACE GLASS IN YOUR RECYCLING BIN*

WRRMA Recycling  

 

This summer, the City of Saline is taking part in the Recycling Quality Improvement Program as a community member of WRRMA, the Washtenaw Regional Resource Management Authority.

This program aims to reduce recycling contamination, or items that can’t be recycled, in WRRMA communities. In your recycling, contaminants can have unintended consequences and cause many issues, such as how plastic bags tangle up the recycling processing machinery. Cleaner recycling helps ensure the materials you work hard to recycle are ultimately able to be recycled. The Recycling Quality Improvement Program will provide personalized recycling feedback and help you make accurate and informed recycling choices.

This summer, WRRMA’s “recycling detectives” will quickly glance at each single-family home’s cart or bin on four curbside recycling days within WRRMA’s communities. If contamination is found during one of these quick checks, the recycling detective will leave behind a personalized feedback tag. On later checks, if another contamination tag is left, the recycling will not be picked up until the contaminant noted on the tag is removed. WRRMA has been working alongside our recycling hauler and material recovery facility to coordinate this program. Data will be collected both before and after the tagging process to see how many contaminants we were able to remove from our recycling.

This is part of a statewide effort throughout Michigan to increase our recycling rate, decrease recycling costs, reduce worker safety hazards, and attract manufacturers using recycled products to see Michigan as a great place to do business. This program is funded by a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and The Recycling Partnership (TRP). The Recycling Partnership has coordinated this program in over 80 locations across the United States and has seen contamination rates reduced by up to 40% as a direct result. 

 

Program Timeline

June 11 – 18: Audit at Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) of total community recycling. The goal of this audit is to set a baseline level of recycling contamination.

June 21 – August 13: Cart-to-cart review of recyclable materials and tagging. If contamination is found on a cursory review of the materials in the recycling cart, then that cart will be tagged with a note that there is an issue. Second and subsequent tags on the same cart will result in that cart not being picked-up that week.

Post August 13: Final audit of total recyclable materials at the MRF to determine the level of change in contamination.

 

Recycling Basics

Saline offers curbside recycling of many paper products and containers at the same time as regular trash pickup. Many other items can be recycled as well:

Recycling Household Goods

The following organizations accept donations of gently used clothing, household goods, furniture, appliances and electronics in working order. Shop, donate or both – you’ll help in doing the most good! Tax receipts (if applicable) are available at time of donation drop-off.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store & Donation Center

All donations can be dropped off at 1621 S. State St. (at Stimpson) in Ann Arbor. Donation hours are Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM and Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. 
Shop hours are Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
For more information, please call (866) GIVE-TOO / (866) 448-3866.

Saline Goodwill Store

All donations can be dropped off at 557 Michigan Avenue in Saline. Donation hours are Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM and Sunday, 12:00PM - 5:00 PM.�
For more information, please call (734) 429-2789.

Recycling Textiles

Textiles, paired shoes and socks, clothes and linens are easy to reuse. Residents can donate their clean, used textiles for reuse to the area charities below. In addition to these charities, many resale and consignment shops also accept used textiles.

Clothing and shoes are 100% recyclable, but 85% still ends up in landfills! On your regular weekly collection day simply place the orange bags by your recycling on city recycling day.

Simple Recycling

Simple Recycling will take care of the rest. Bags can be obtained from the Simple Recycling Website: http://www.simplerecycling.com/

Saline Goodwill Store

557 E. Michigan Ave., (734) 429-2789 (see additional information above)

Recycle Ann Arbor's Regional -Drop Off Station

2950 E. Ellsworth, Ann Arbor, (734) 971-7400. Items must be clean, dry and bagged.

Purple Heart Service Foundation

Pickups via (734) 728-4560.

St. Vincent DePaul Society

1001 Broadway, Ann Arbor, (734) 761-1400. Items should be seasonally appropriate and in good condition.

In addition to the above charities, many resale and consignment shops accept used textiles.

Other Recyclable Items

A list of recyclables collected and reuse outlets is provided on the Washtenaw County website. Area programs exist for unusable appliances and furniture, toxics (motor oil, antifreeze, etc.), electronics waste, ash trees and much more!
 
Additional recycling options are available on the Ann Arbor Recycling website.

City residents can also recycle certain items by mail using Waste Management’s Home Kits.