Quick Recycling Tips

Darien Reycycling Center

Recycling Tip: Put Shredded Paper for Single Stream Recycling in an Open Bag

By David Gurliacci | January 9, 2016

Another Quick Recycling Tip in our series:

A pool of SHREDDED PAPER on a NYC street is a reminder that this recyclable can be difficult to manage. In Darien, shredded paper is permitted in single stream recycling, but it is recommended that it be CONTAINED IN AN OPEN BAG OR BOX. Some of it may fall out, but the bulk of it will be contained until it gets to the sorting facility. — This announcement comes from the Darien Recycling Center pages on Facebook. Like that page on Facebook and you can get your tips directly, as soon as they come out, and keep informed on other recycling information related to the transfer station and various town pickups for leaves, Christmas trees, etc.

Darien Reycycling Center

How to Reduce Your Junk Mail — Even Better Than Recycling It

By David Gurliacci | January 5, 2016

Another Quick Recycling Tip:

Sure, junk mail can be recycled in single stream, but it takes tremendous amounts of natural resources to produce, distribute, and recycle the estimated 100 billion pieces mailed to U.S. households each year. A better option is to reduce the quantity entering your mailbox. Lots of websites make it easy to do this — a good one to try is catalogchoice.org. — Darienite.com’s Quick Recycling Tips come from the Darien Recycling Center’s account on Facebook.

Darien Reycycling Center

Quick Recycling Tip: Try to Reduce and Reuse Before Recycling

By David Gurliacci | January 4, 2016

Another Quick Recycling Tip in our series:

REDUCE, REUSE… AND THEN RECYCLE! Recycling is important in conserving natural resources, but two factors are even more crucial: reducing and reusing. Shopping bags provide a good example: though they can be recycled in single stream, not taking one in the first place (reduce) uses no resources. However, if you already have a collection of sturdy bags like these, consider whether they have any life left in them (reuse); many non-profit organizations like the DCA Thrift Shop welcome such donations. It’s green to recycle, but it’s greener to reduce and reuse!

Darien Reycycling Center

How to Recycle Better When Your Recycled Material Is Picked Up

By David Gurliacci | January 3, 2016

City Carting reports [as of early October] that the quality of Darien’s single stream recycling is very good, and increasingly better as residents are educated on the “do’s and don’ts” of SSR.

— an announcement from the Darien Recycling Center

This batch, for example, could be improved if:

the wire hangers were instead placed with Scrap Metal;
the large corrugated cardboard boxes were flattened;
the red &white cloth item was placed with Textiles;
the big plastic items were placed with Large Plastics;
the bulletin board thrown with trash (or placed in Swap Shop if usable). On the plus side, almost all of the plastic bags are open, which has been an ongoing issue. Many thanks to all of our residents who are listening!

Darien Reycycling Center

Quick Recycling Tip: Mirrors Are for the Trash, Not Recycling

By David Gurliacci | January 1, 2016

Here’s the second Quick Recycling Tip in our series:

Many glass items, such as bottles & jars, drinking glasses, vases and pane glass, are permitted in single stream recycling. Mirrors, however, are not permitted in single stream and should be disposed of with trash. — This announcement was originally posted on the Darien Recycling Center account on Facebook.

Darien Reycycling Center

Quick Recycling Tip: When Clothing Bins Are Full

By David Gurliacci | December 30, 2015

Another  Quick Recycling Tip in our series:

It’s great to see the USAGAIN BINS so fully utilized for recycling unwanted textiles! Please note that when bins are full there are two additional bins located next to the Swap Shop. — This announcement was originally posted on the Darien Recycling Center account on Facebook.

Darien Reycycling Center

Quick Recycling Tip: What to Do with Scrap Metal

By David Gurliacci | December 28, 2015

Another Quick Recycling Tip in our series:

Many home projects and renovations result in piles of scrap metal, like these worn out heating pipes. They — and most items made from aluminum, copper, steel, brass and iron — can be recycled in the SCRAP METAL area at the Darien Recycling Center. Look for it across from the transfer station building. — This announcement was originally posted on the Darien Recycling Center account on Facebook.

Darien Reycycling Center

Quick Recycling Tip: Take Unwanted Tires to the Recycling Center

By David Gurliacci | December 27, 2015

Another Quick Recycling Tip:

If thoughts of winter weather conditions inspire the purchase of a new set of tires, recycle the worn out set here! — This announcement was originally posted on the Darien Recycling Center account on Facebook.

Darien Reycycling Center

Quick Recycling Tip: Put Corrugated Cardboard in Separate Container

By David Gurliacci | December 26, 2015

Another Quick Recycling Tip in our series:

CORRUGATED CARDBOARD
Single stream simplifies recycling by allowing paper, cardboard, plastic, metal & glass in one bin. Note, however, that

1) cardboard should be flattened, and

2) there is a separate, designated roll-off container at the Recycling Center just for cardboard. Placing it directly in this container is helpful as it minimizes the amount of sorting required later on. — This announcement was originally posted on the Darien Recycling Center account on Facebook.