EcoRI Reports 'Single-Stream' Recycling Launch Moved To June

The website ecoRI news reported this week that the launch date has been moved to June for a new recycling system at .

RIRRC has been working toward what is commonly termed a "single-stream" sorting system by installing a $17 million sorting machine, the website reported.

ecoRI News also reported that RIRRC officials are considering a change in the term "single-stream" to keep residents from thinking that they can throw trash away with their recyclables, and are using the extra time to allow cities and towns to prepare for the switch.

According to the website, takeout food containers and several types of plastic lids will be added to the list of accepted recyclables, while scrap metal and small appliances like toasters will not be allowed.

Last year, state Sen. Frank Lombardo (D-Dist. 25) and Rep. Stephen Ucci (D-Dist. 42) at the Central Landfill. Both chambers of the General Assembly approved the plan, and Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the bill into law last summer.

Lombardo said at the time that the additional revenue from accepting out-of-state recycling could net Johnston at least $500,000 per year.

The Landfill is still prohibited by state law from accepting trash from outside of Rhode Island.