RIRRC LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE RHODE ISLANDERS TO RECYCLE BETTER; LIMIT WORKER INJURIES, SAVE MONEY

The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) today launches a campaign to educate Rhode Islanders on how to recycle better and eliminate contamination in their recycling. The campaign to educate consumers on better recycling habits was developed to stem the rising tide of contaminants which has been increasing over the past year. The campaign is designed to help all Rhode Islanders recycle better, especially those residents in urban municipalities, which experience higher rates of contamination.

Food waste, yard waste, bagged trash, and dangerous materials such as propane tanks, garden hoses, medical waste, and dirty diapers are regularly delivered to the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), and pose dangers to line workers and to the sorting equipment. Most recently, on Tuesday, April 7, a fire occurred in the baling machine, which compresses recyclables into large cubes for shipping. The fire was most likely caused by a container still holding some amount of flammable liquid. When compressed, the friction caused a spark which ignited the liquid, causing the fire. Thankfully, the fire was quickly contained and no injuries occurred. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common event, which is readily avoidable.

While municipal recycling loads are normally taken for free, RIRRC must reject loads that are too contaminated. Each rejected load costs the sending municipality $250 plus $32/ton for landfilling. Municipalities receive a share of the profit earned each year from the sale of its recyclables and contamination jeopardizes these profits, costing both the municipality and taxpayers money.

“This campaign to educate consumers on the way to recycle correctly not only enhances safety for our line workers but also helps the bottom line for all Rhode Islanders,” said Sarah Kite-Reeves, Director of Recycling Services for RIRRC. “Better recycling habits at home means our workers get to go home safe and sound. Saving money on disposal costs is great too – it’s a win-win for everyone to recycle better.”

To make sure everyone has the information they need to recycle better, RIRRC also created a series of short “How-To” videos, narrated by Krystal Noiseux, Recycling Program Manager for RIRRC. Krystal explains the rules of thumb, reviews any exceptions to those rules, and provides tips for preparing recycling correctly. The “How-To” videos are available on RIRRC’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/rirrc, and a printable how-to sheet is available at www.recycletogetherri.org.

The RIRRC anti-contamination campaign launches April 13th ahead of Earth Day on April 22nd. The campaign incorporates both English and Spanish television and radio commercials, online advertising on Pandora and Hulu, via social media on RIRRC’s Facebook and Twitter accounts and on RIRRC’s bi-lingual consumer education website: www.recycletogetherri.org.

###

About Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation is the quasi-state environmental agency dedicated to providing the public with environmentally sound programs and facilities to manage waste. The agency promotes the state’s recycling program, and owns and operates the Materials Recycling Facility and Central Landfill in Johnston.