To The Editor:

Given last week’s news regarding the RIRRC’s reduction of our annual cap at the Johnston Landfill for fiscal year 2014-15 and the potential for significantly higher tipping fees, the Bristol Recycles Committee offers these 10 simple recycling tips:

1) Recycle plastic containers that are up to 2 gallons in size. Rinse, attach cap, and place in your recycle bin. The exception:  Auto products (motor oil, anti-freeze, etc.) and K-cups are trash.

2) No plastic bags. Any recyclables tied in plastic bags in your recycle bin go directly to the landfill. The exception: Shredded paper should be double-bagged in clear or translucent bags and placed in your recycle bin.

3) Use the restore bin at any grocery, pharmacy, or big-box store to recycle any clear or translucent plastic that can be stretched (grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper bags, bread bags, etc.). The exception: Clingy food wrap is not recyclable.

4) Recycle any metal can up to 1 gallon in size, as well as metal lids and foil. The exception: No yogurt lids.

5) No wire hangers or any other scrap metal in your recycle bin. Wire hangers jam the equipment at RIRRC, but can be recycled at most dry cleaners. Scrap metal can be taken to the Bristol transfer station.

6) Don't completely flatten recyclable containers (cans, plastic bottles, etc.). The equipment at the Materials Recycling Facility can’t sort them properly when they are too flat. Light compaction is OK.

7) Glass is recyclable, but glass jars and bottles only. When recycling glass jars & bottles, remove the lids and include them in your recycle bin.

8) No styrofoam, straws or greasy parts of pizza boxes in your recycle bin.

9) Recycle paper and cardboard, but only if isn't coated to repel water (e.g. refrigerated and frozen food boxes and hot coffee cups), and is free of food and grease. Milk, juice, and soup cartons can be recycled. Particle board and wood cannot be recycled.

10) Consult the Recyclopedia section of the RIRRC website for answers to almost every conceivable question about what is/isn't recyclable, and for the best disposal options for items not accepted at the Eco-Depot. Many bulky items not accepted for weekly curbside pickup (lumber, scrap metal, etc.) can be taken to Bristol's Transfer Station or to the Eco-Depot in Johnston for recycling.

Want to learn more? Come to our 3rd Bristol Recycles Day on Oct. 4th at the Bristol Transfer Station. Details to follow.

E. Keith Maloney - Bristol Recycles

Timothy Sweeney - Bristol Town Council