More on paper recycling

Greentree Solid Waste Authority

www.greentreeswa.org

Contact:  Debra Ingle, Operational Supervisor     Phone:  (575) 378-4697

FAX  (575) 378-4896    Email:     gswa@greentreeswa.org

Local Mixed Paper Recycling Going Away   A few days remain before Mixed Paper Recycling dumpsters will disappear from various Lincoln County locations. Since an earlier announcement to this effect, phone calls and email questions have been raised wondering -- just what is Mixed Paper?

Mixed paper that no longer can be recycled in this region consists of

·         white office paper

·         phone books

·         junk mail

·         catalogs and magazines

·         paperboard - the single layer paper-based material often used to package

·         dry food (crackers, cereal etc.), soft drink and beer bottles and cans boxes

Throw these items away in the trash.

Items that look like mixed paper are NOT included above

these can still be recycled in specifically labeled dumpsters

·         three layer (sandwich style) corrugated cardboard

·         paperback books

·         newspapers including the inserts/ads inside the paper

Items that look like mixed paper but are TRASH include

·         paper towels, tissue paper and paper wipes

·         styrofoam in any form

·         padded envelopes and overnight delivery envelopes of the type used by

FedEx, UPS and Amazon

·         egg cartons of any kind

·         bubble wrap/plastic film and overnight packaging

Throw these items in the trash.

A growing number of businesses and individuals are now shredding white office paper  (non-secure items), junk mail etc. Shredded paper can be recycled at Greentree Solid Waste, 26590 East US Highway 70 east of Ruidoso Downs. A shredded paper collection system is now under design consideration.

In a recent briefing at the Greentree Solid Waste Authority's August monthly meeting, Board members were informed that the plastics market continues to be strong as does corrugated cardboard, steel and aluminum. GSWA continues to work daily with several companies who continue to buy recycled materials. Some items are already available for reuse by local residents but reuse and reduction could see further expansion by consumers in and visitors to the region, according to Board President Ray Dean (Carrizozo).

For more information, contact the Solid Waste Authority office

at 575-378-4697 or toll free at 1-877-548-8772

or via email at gswa@greentreeswa.org.

Information on recent changes in the national recycling industry

is available at www.greentreeswa.org.