Recycle This In Cambridge, Not That

CAMBRIDGE, MA — You've probably been there. You walked by your kitchen trash and recycling set up only to see a family member or roommate has put a coffee cup in the trash bin and you swear it's recyclable, you fish it out, rinse it off and pop it into the recycling. Then you see they've put a plastic freezer bag in the recycling. Out that goes and into the garbage. And when you go back to the person who put it there, they swear they read it was recyclable. Debate ensues.

But it's not just your household. It's happening across the city. And in the meantime packaging has become more complex and the recycling companies face their own pressures, leading to confusion about what belongs in the curbside recycling cart.

Noticing that there's an increase in non-recyclables in the curbside cart which in turn has led to higher rates of contamination in the recycling stream the city alongside the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) decided to try to do something about it.

Enter the “Recycle Right” campaign. This campaign is a state-wide effort, focused on getting the correct items into curbside recycling and reducing contamination.

What's that mean? Now there's an app for that.

The Department of Public Works just released the “Zero Waste Cambridge” app, which includes a search feature to look up how to properly dispose of thousands of items. The app is available for free download in the iTunes and Google Play store, and is also available on DPW’s website at CambridgeMA.Gov/Recycle.

If you’re unsure if something can be recycled, check it out, say representatives from Cambridge DPW.

“The most common items we find in curbside recycling that don’t belong are plastic bags and film, plastic and wire hangers, clothing and textiles, and electronics,” said Cambridge Public Works Commissioner Owen O’Riordan. “There are ways to divert each of these materials from the landfill, but curbside recycling is not the correct way. Putting these items in your curbside recycling toter results in costly issues at our contractor’s facility.”

"But when in doubt, please leave it out," says DPW.

Curbside recycling began in 1991 and since then Cambridge residents have diverted millions of pounds of recyclables from landfills. To help continue to educate residents about what should and should not be placed in curbside recycling, members of the Public Works Department will be more closely monitoring curbside recycling carts. If DPW finds contamination, they'll leave a note on your recycling toter about what was incorrect. We will follow up with a postcard with information on Recycle Right. There will be minimal to no impact on curbside services during the campaign.

Newton and Boston have similar apps.

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Image via Screen grab of Cambridge App.

Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).