Rhode Island Relaunches 'Recycle It RIght!' Campaign

Rhode Island Resouce Recovery relaunched its long-running "Recycle It RIght!" campaign on Thursday at Newport Hospital in an effort to increase plastic recycling in the state and decrease the amount of plastic pollution in Rhode Island's waterways. Governor Gina Raimondo, RIRRC Executive Director Joseph Reposa and Lifespan CEO Tim Babineau were all on hand for the announcement.

"We have some of the most beautiful waterways in the country," Gov. Raimondo said. "Let’s keep them clean by recycling right. With the new labels on our recycling bins, it’s now easier than ever. I applaud Rhode Island Resource Recovery for blazing a trail with this initiative."

According to Rhode Island Resource Recovery, massive amounts of non-recyclable materials being placed into bins, contaminating the loads as most recycling centers are incapable or unwilling to accept them. Instead, these loads are sent to the landfill with other trash.

To help residents determine what can and cannot be recycled, the public education campaign includes the country's first bin labeling initiative from the non-profit organization Recycle Across America, which show what items can be recycled. So far, more than 80,000 stickers have been placed on bins across the state.

As part of the new campaign, Gov. Raimondo and others including Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Lt. Governor Dan McKee, the University of Rhode Island's Rhody the Ram and more will be featured in a series of radio PSAs that will run from May 1 to September 26.

"Resource Recovery is thrilled to have the Governor and Lifespan join our growing community of Rhode Islanders who are committed not only to recycling, but to recycling right," Reposa said. "Our combined efforts can increase the quality of Rhode Island’s recycling and help keep it marketable during volatile times. Spreading the word about the importance of proper recycling is key to our program’s success."

Babineau said Lifespan is committed to reducing plastic waste and increasing recycling in its healthcare facilities across the state.

"Lifespan aims to be a leader in Rhode Island when it comes to recycling and that’s why we have enthusiastically embraced the Let’s recycle RIght!® campaign,"Babineau said. "By embracing mixed recycling and training volunteer ambassadors, we are now recycling at rates above 30% at two hospitals and 25% at two others. But we’re not stopping there. We now have our sights set on moving toward a beyond the bin program to recycle ‘blue wrap’ used during sterilization of surgical instruments, which makes up close to 20 percent of operating room waste. And we will continue wherever possible to enhance and expand our waste reduction efforts throughout the Lifespan system."

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