The Difference Between Recycling Myths and Facts

Submitted by the Hampton Recycling Committee

Myths Versus Facts About Recycling

Myth: The items we place in recycling carts for pickup do not actually get recycled.

Fact: After the Recycling Committee recently toured two recycling facilities we can say positively that what is picked up in the green carts is indeed recycled at the plants.

M:  If your trash and recyclables are collected and placed in a dumpster they will be separated by workers at a facility.

F:  NO that never happens—it will all go to the landfill.  There are NO mysterious folks who separate so items are recycled from a dumpster.

M:   It does not make a difference to our environment or to our town solid waste removal costs whether we recycle or not.

F:  Our landfills where our trash goes are filling up and closing all over our country at a rapid rate.  People do not want new ones built near their neighborhoods and we are running out of acres of land in communities.  Did you know that trash from N.Y. is still being barged out to sea and dumped in our oceans?  With regards to trash costs, the less tonnage, the less a town pays for solid waste disposal.

M:  Recycling is a relatively new way to deal with some types of trash. 

F:  Many towns in our country and Europe have been recycling since the 70’s.

M:  In our households/businesses/restaurants/motels etc., we have more trash than recyclables.

F:  NO, because we in Hampton use single stream recycling which means all recyclables go mixed into our green carts.

THAT MEANS: ALL CLEAN PAPER (DAILY JUNK MAIL, OFFICE PAPER, NEWSPAPERS, FOOD BOXES, ETC); ALL PLASTICS (# 1 THRU 7): CANS AND BOTTLES.

****People who are recycling are finding that they have a need for a larger green recycling cart than the blue trash cart.

M:  Everyone in Hampton is doing their part to recycle.

F:  This is NOT TRUE as some households are only putting out blue trash carts weekly and NOT recycling carts at all. 

So if you want to save your town money by creating less solid waste, which we pay to go to the landfill, please recycle all that you are able to in Hampton.  THANKS.