Portsmouth moves to single-stream recycling Monday

Change should shorten waits at transfer station

Posted 12/7/16

PORTSMOUTH — Beginning Monday, Dec. 12, local residents will no longer have to walk into open containers at the transfer station.

Nor will they have to place their plastics and …

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Portsmouth moves to single-stream recycling Monday

Change should shorten waits at transfer station

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — Beginning Monday, Dec. 12, local residents will no longer have to walk into open containers at the transfer station.

Nor will they have to place their plastics and bottles into another nearby container. The large recycling containers now dominating the center of the station’s lot will be removed so visitors can put their trash and recyclables into clearly marked bins inside the main building.

Starting Monday, vehicles will be directed toward one of two lanes:

• The left lane will be for residents carrying only trash and mixed recyclables. (See below for rules on recycling.)

• The right lane is for drivers carrying all other materials (construction debris, metal, tires, yard waste, etc.). 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.

For a video explaining the reconfiguration, click here.

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 three-foot lengths and bundled. Branches should be no larger than two inches 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. 

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. Residents are asked to empty their recycle containers into the bin separately from their containers, so they can be more easily separated at the Rhode Island Central Landfill. 

If residents bring their recyclables in a paper box, it’s recommended they first dump their recyclables into the bin and then throw the box in afterwards.

What can be recycled?

The one mixed recycling bin located inside the transfer station building will accept the following items:

• 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 on the right hand side will accept these other 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

E-waste

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 (401/624-8800)

• Newport Hardware, 1 Casino Terrace, Newport (401/849-9442)

• Home Depot (compact “curly” bulbs only), 878 West Main Road, Middletown (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 aazardous waste at an Eco-Depot. Learn more and make a free appointment at rirrc.org/ecodepot, or call 401/942-1430, ext. 241. 

Portsmouth transfer station, recycling

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