ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (November 15, 2023) — November 15 is America Recycles Day. As we enter Fall and tidy up for the holidays, consumers can create a large amount of waste. In 2022, citizens of Rock Island County landfilled 410,854 tons of waste. A single garbage truck weighs ten tons. The total amount of annual landfill material in Rock Island County equates to 41,085 garbage trucks. The goal is to reduce 50% of the waste going to landfills. On America Recycles Day, Rock Island County residents are encouraged to “Think Green Before You Shop.” Reducing waste is a top priority. Careful choices can reduce discarded items, save energy, conserve resources, and create a healthier environment. Key questions as you shop include: Do I need this? Will I use it? Can I borrow it? and How “Green” is it?
Recycling follows reducing waste. Cities and villages in Rock Island County offer curbside recycling for their residents. Help your community’s recycling program by being a clean recycler. Items need to be disposed of properly. Attention is needed so recycled materials are clean and marketable for another use. Drop-off sites sponsored by Midland Davis in Moline, the Waste Commission of Scott County, and Republic Services at Upper Rock Island County Landfill, all serve Rock Island County residents who don’t have access to a municipal curbside recycling program.
Examples of ACCEPTABLE recycling materials and proper handling include:
• Flattened and broken-down cardboard boxes
• Other cardboard packaging materials
• Paper
• Cleaned and rinsed plastic food and beverage containers.
Examples of UNACCEPTABLE MATERIALS and items that are NOT recyclable:
• All forms of Styrofoam
• Hard, brittle types of plastic materials
• Clear plastic wrappers from cartons and boxes.
A number of cities offer special waste pick-ups for those hard to recycle items, like mattresses, carpets, furniture, and small home-remodeling projects, etc. Larger bulky waste may require contracting for a roll-off with a private hauler. RICWMA also has special programs for household hazardous waste and electronics via the Waste Commission of Scott County, and Weikert Recycling for curbside tire and appliance pick-up.
The Rock Island County Waste Management Agency (RICWMA) asks Rock Island County citizens to “Think CLEAN and GREEN Recycling” during the Fall rather than throw away items that could otherwise be recycled or reused. The second ask is to make sure items are allowed, cleaned, and flattened. Area residents should only recycle acceptable items for the curbside or drop-off programs. Details are outlined on the RICWMA website at ricwma.org. Those hosting the drop-off sites take great pride in keeping them clean. It is no fun to clean up after messy drop-off users. As hosts, they pay the price of having to clean-up if residents discard unacceptable items and don’t pick up after themselves. Citizens can help by picking up dropped items, only putting acceptable items into the recycling containers, and not leaving items that are not acceptable and should be thrown away or called for a bulky waste pick-up at your residence.
For more information, residents may contact RICMWA at (309) 788-8925 or visit the website at ricwma.org.
