Commercial Single Stream Recycling

Republic Services, Inc. Introduces Single Stream Recycling for Business

Thanks to Republic Services, Inc., recycling at work is easier than ever because Single Stream Recycling is now available! 

Just keep all of your office recyclables in a clear bag and place with your cardboard boxes in our recycling receptacles. You do NOT have to put any recyclable items into separate containers. 

Here are some of the typical things around your business that are recyclable. 

Typical Office Recyclables

• Office paper: copy paper, letterhead, notebook paper, envelopes, file folders, computer paper
• Cardboard
• Newspapers
• Junk mail
• Magazines
• Cans: aluminum and bi-metal
• Plastic bottles:  #1 and #2 located in the triangle under the bottle.
• Cardboard can be placed in your dumpster loose with the other materials commingled.
  

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Q: How are the materials separated?

A: Equipment automatically sorts many of the materials. There are screens to separate “flats” (paper) from “rounds” (containers). For this reason, please do not flatten containers or the screen will sort them into the wrong bin.

Q: Doesn’t this lower the value of the materials? Isn’t there a lot of contamination?

A: Not necessarily. One of the concerns associated with Single Stream Recycling is that one bin tends to encourage people to suddenly put EVERYTHING that seems recyclable in it. That’s why we need YOU to help demonstrate that a business community of conscientious recyclers can make Single Stream Recycling a success.

Q: Won’t the paper get wet if I recycle my commingled containers with the paper? Doesn’t that make the paper non-recyclable?

A: The paper mills allow up to 5% moisture in the paper they accept from Envirocycle, Inc., so it’s not a problem. As always, we do ask that you empty and rinse all your containers to keep food contamination out of your bin. But moisture will not ruin the paper. Part of the recycling process for remanufacturing paper includes water, so it is not a contaminant.

Q: What goes in the recycling container?

• Paper: newspaper, office paper, junk mail, envelopes, wrapping paper
• Boxboard and cardboard: corrugated cardboard and boxboard. (Examples of boxboard: cereal boxes, shoe boxes, most gift boxes, soda/beverage containers, most food packaging containers such as boxes of macaroni and cheese, rice, microwave meals.)
• Aluminum and metal cans: food cans (labels left on OK), soda cans
• Rigid plastics: # 1 through # 7, including yogurt and margarine tubs
• Extra recycling can be placed in a cardboard box.

Q: What cannot be recycled?

Please DON’T place the following in your Single Stream Recycling dumpster:

• Plastic bags
• Glass
• Styrofoam® (cups, egg cartons, take-out containers)
• Pizza boxes
• Yard waste or leaves (set out for yard trimmings pick up)
• Food waste
• Garbage (you may be charged an extra disposal fee if you consistently place trash in your recycling container)
• Helium tanks
• Large metal items (steel cans, aerosol cans or metals that are gallon-sized or smaller are ok. Frying pans and large metal pipes are NOT allowed.)
• Large plastic items (rigid plastics that are gallon-sized or smaller are ok)
• Wire coat hangers (recycle at your local dry cleaners)

You may be charged an extra disposal fee if you consistently put trash in your recycling container.

To request more information, please complete the form for Commercial/Industrial Recycling Services.