New Houston Recycling Facility!

Last year the City of Houston signed a new recycling contract with FCC Environmental, and their new MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) is under construction and expected to open this spring. This facility will include the latest sorting technology and is expected to be able to process glass containers and plastic bags. So Houston residents should again be able to recycle glass curbside in coming months, once the new facility is in operation.

Link to City press release:
https://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/press-07112018.html

FCC Environmental:
http://fccenvironmental.com/2018/01/12/city-houston-awarded-fcc/

Recycling and Contamination

Contamination in curbside recycling has become a significant issue all across the country.
China and other countries that purchase our raw recycled materials now require higher quality and less contaminated materials. Many U.S. recycling programs now have difficulty meeting these higher standards.
The principal approach to address contamination issues will be to improve sorting technologies, and to improve public education. Much of the contamination starts at the household level when citizens put non-recyclables and dirty or food contaminated items in their recycling carts.

Here is an article that describes the situation:
https://theweek.com/articles/786621/americas-contaminated-recycling

Everyone can help improve recycling rates by knowing the rules for the local recycling collection.

Here are some basic guidelines for proper curbside recycling:
1. Empty all beverage containers of liquid. Rinse soda, juice containers when possible.
2. Remove all food residue from food containers. Rinse when appropriate.
3. Don't put food/oil/grease contaminated cardboard or paper in the recycling
4. Don't put items in recycling that aren't accepted by the current local guidelines.
(in Houston certain plastic items are not accepted curbside: flower pots, plastic toys, etc.)

For questions about recycling in Houston, contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com