"Honey, tomorrow is trash pick-up day. I'm just going to toss this Styrofoam container in the re-cycle bin."
"No dear it has to go into the trash bin. GFL doesn’t recycle Styrofoam. Here’s what I found out from GFL when I called."
Does this sound like a familiar conversation in your house?
When it comes to recycling, awareness is key. Contamination is the biggest issue impacting successful recycling practices today, when people throw in items they shouldn’t, such as grease-soaked cardboard, plastic bags or paint cans. This is why it’s important to know what you can recycle and what you can’t.
As a community we need to be informed in order to make the right decisions when it comes to our recycling bins. Everyone should have a wheeled or blue plastic bin to be placed at the curb every week. Trash bins and recycling can be placed at the curb after dusk on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.
According to the Clinton Township website https://clintontownship.com/286/Trash-Recycling-Collection -
Rubbish
Plastic bags must be tied and placed into the provided trash cart.
Glass and Sharp Objects
Wrap glass and sharp objects in heavy newspaper before disposal.
Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes must be flattened and tied together.
Carpeting
Carpeting must be rolled, bundled, and tied in four-foot lengths no heavier than 50 pounds each.
Latex Paint
Latex paint cans may only be placed at the curb or in the trash cart if the lids are removed, and any leftover paint is completely dry. Cat litter or sand may be added to speed up the drying process.
Hazardous Materials
Oil-based paint is considered a hazardous material. Do not dispose of hazardous materials with your rubbish. Instead, contact the Macomb County Hazardous Waste Department at 586-469-5236 or via the Macomb County Household Hazardous Waste Collection page.
Construction Materials, Rocks, Dirt, Sod, Bricks & Concrete
Construction materials, rocks, dirt, sod, bricks, and concrete are not considered household rubbish and will not be removed by the trash hauler.
Yard Waste
No yard waste in paper bags will be collected. That is an extra charge that we do not pay for at Moravian Meadows. Put all yard waste with the regular trash – NOT IN RECYCLING.
Bulky and Large Item Collection Services
Call 586-772-8900.
GFL doesn’t want to miss your collection but can’t pick up your trash if it isn’t by the curb when their truck arrives on Wednesday. Be prepared:
Place your trash can and recycling bin at the curb with the wheels facing your house and the lid opening into the street.
Keep your garbage cans four feet apart and at least four feet or more from any obstacles such as mailboxes, or cars.
Keep your container at the curb until the end of the day if it hasn’t been emptied. Sometimes the arrival time changes, and GFL doesn't want to miss you if they come later than expected.
Holiday Schedule for Trash Collection
If one of the observed holidays falls on a weekday, trash collection will be one day behind for the remainder of the week, with Friday’s collection on Saturday.
What CANNOT be recycled?
Foam containers or products (Styrofoam)
Window glass and mirrors
Wire hangers
Electronic waste (batteries, cell phones, TVs, monitors and computers)
Motor oil containers
Organic material and yard waste
Chemical containers
Hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil & cleaners)
Shredded paper
Plastic bags
Ceramics or dishes
Food waste
Waxed cardboard
Needles or syringes
Scrap metal
Wood items
Garden hoses
Reminder that all trash must be stored in your garage until dusk, the day before trash collection day. Or you can play it safe and put it out early on the morning of trash collection day. Return all trash and recycling containers to your garage by dark after collection. Violations will be fined.
For trash collection issues and other questions, please call 586-286-9300.
See you in the next post . . .
Cordially,
Ed Mroz
President, Moravian Meadows Homeowners Association
Moravian Meadows resident Melanie Sugierski contributed to this article.
