Mixed Recycling to begin in Portsmouth

Mixed Recycling to begin at Portsmouth Transfer Station

PORTSMOUTH, RI, November 22, 2016 – Beginning on Monday, December 12, Portsmouth residents will no longer have to walk into any open containers at the Transfer Station nor will they have to place their cans, plastics and bottles into another near-by container. The large recycling containers now dominating the center of the Transfer Station lot will be removed and local residents will be able to conveniently put their trash and recyclables into clearly marked bins within the Transfer Station’s main building in one easy stop.

Portsmouth residents will notice upon entry into the Transfer Station that vehicles will be directed towards one of two lanes – those with only trash and recyclables will go into the left lane while all other materials (Construction debris, metal, tires, yard waste, etc.) will be directed to the right side. There they will find distinctly marked open bins for the dispersal of materials. These diversion bins will be monitored by Station personnel in an effort to reduce contamination of materials.

Yard waste will no longer be allowed into the main building and commercial landscapers should note that the exterior bins are intended for the collection of residents’ yard waste only. Yard waste should be delivered in either 55 gallon drums for disposal or brown leaf bags. Branches should be cut into 3 foot lengths and bundled. Branches should be no larger than 2” in diameter. Larger, open trailers full of yard waste that is not properly contained or cut will be turned away. Tickets will be issued by the Portsmouth Police to anyone caught violating these established rules.

Please note that plastic bags are not to be placed into the recycle bin. Trash cans will be located near the recycle bin for disposal of plastic bags. It is recommended that residents empty their recycle containers into the bin separately from their containers – this way they can be more easily separated at the Rhode Island Central Landfill. It is recommended that if residents bring their recyclables in a paper box that they first dump their recyclables into the bin and then throw the box in afterwards.

RECYCLING IS MANDATORY IN PORTSMOUTH

The Portsmouth Transfer Station at 305 Hedly Street will accept all of these recyclable materials into one mixed recycling bin located within the Transfer Station main building:

• Corrugated cardboard and paperboard cereal and pasta boxes
• Aluminum, steel and tin cans
• Glass food and beverage containers
• Milk and juice cartons, juice boxes, broth and soup containers
• Newspaper, junk mail, magazines, telephone directories and office paper
• High density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic milk and water containers
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic soft drink containers and clamshell packaging
• Polypropylene (PP) plastic yogurt and dairy containers

Separate bins are available on the right hand side at the main Transfer Station for drop-off of these recyclable materials:

• Leaves and yard waste
• Used motor oil
• Used cooking oil
• Scrap metal and empty propane tanks
• Rechargeable batteries
• White goods (large appliances)
• Construction and Demolition waste (C & D)
• Asphalt, Bricks and Concrete (ABC)
• Tires
• Clothing, linens and textiles
• Mattresses & box springs
• Books, CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes

Residents may drop off televisions, computers, printers and office electronics at special e-waste collection events held twice a year at the Portsmouth High School and alternate months at nearby Farmers Markets in Bristol and Middletown. Learn more at http://indiecycle.blogspot.com.

Fluorescent Light Bulbs are considered Household Hazardous Waste. These bulbs should not be dropped off at the Transfer Station or placed in trash bins. Drop off fluorescent tubes or bulbs at:

• Humphreys Building Supply Center, 590 Main Road, Tiverton, RI (401) 624-8800
• Newport Hardware, One Casino Terrace, Newport, RI (401) 849-9442
• Home Depot (compact “curly” bulbs only), 878 West Main Road, Middletown, RI (401) 845-5092
• Eco-Depot; make a free appointment to drop off fluorescent bulbs at rirrc.org/ecodepot or call (401) 942-1430, ext. 241.

Drop off leftover latex and oil-based paint, stain and varnish for recycling at The Healthy Home Shop at 1844 East Main Road. Learn more at www.paintcare.org/products-we-accept or call (401) 293-0422.

Residents should dispose of ANY Household Hazardous Waste at an Eco-Depot. Learn more and make a free appointment at rirrc.org/ecodepot or call (401) 942-1430, ext. 241.

In July 2017, the cost of dumping sold waste at the Rhode Island Central Landfill will increase to as much as $55 per ton from $32 per ton. There is no drop-off fee for recyclable materials at the RIRRC Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). Portsmouth pays Patriot Disposal to haul all solid waste and recyclable materials to RIRRC in Johnston.

Unless we can learn to divert even more from our waste stream, the cost of Transfer Station Stickers will have to increase. The Transfer Station budget must balance management, transportation and dumping costs with recycling material sales and sticker fees. Please recycle.

Portsmouth Town Administrator Richard Rainer and Portsmouth’s Solid Waste/Recycling Committee support recycling, waste diversion and composting initiatives. Formed in 2008, Portsmouth’s Solid Waste/Recycling Committee is a group of professionals, consumers, gardeners and environmentalists working to increase the Town’s recycling rate and to promote appropriate recycling, responsible waste handling and home composting. The Committee reviews Portsmouth’s solid waste disposal and recycling programs and makes recommendations to the Town Council.

For more information on recycling in Portsmouth, see www.portsmouthri.com/181/Portsmouth-Recycles, call (401) 643-0359 or email rantaya@portsmouthri.com

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