Rules for recycling

The city's public works department just sent this out to help residents do better than the City Council when it comes to recycling:

The City of Bristol has made progressive changes in its efforts to increase recycling participation within the community. The Public Works Department would like to clarify recycling information for Bristol residents.

Why recycle?
Recycling is mandated by law in the State of CT and by Ordinance in the City of Bristol. The City of Bristol must pay disposal fees for both recyclable materials and rubbish. Disposal of rubbish costs $65.50 per ton, while processing of recyclables costs $33.50 per ton. The heaviest recyclable materials in most households are paper products. Recycling is also an investment in the future as it reduces the amount of waste that must be incinerated at out waste-to-energy facility or disposed of through other venues. Recycling also prevents or reduces the amount of air and water pollution as these materials are reused instead of being disposed of.

How does Public Works enforce recycling?
In an effort to ensure full participation in recycling and compliance with state and local mandates, the City of Bristol Public Works Department will randomly audit the contents of rubbish barrels to ensure that recyclable materials are not being disposed of with rubbish. If recyclable material is found in rubbish barrels, residents will be notified of the violation as an educational measure. Repeated offenses can lead to citations/fines.

What should be recycled?
Food and Beverage containers:
Clean glass, tin foil, and metal, plastics #1 or #2 (stamped on the bottom) food and beverage containers; paper milk/juice cartons and aseptic beverage containers (juice boxes). Empty aerosol food containers (like whipped cream or cheese spread) should also be recycled.

Paper and Cardboard Recyclables:
Newspapers, junk mail, magazines, corrugated cardboard (cut or folded to 3’ x 3’), office & computer paper, catalogues, phone books, shredded paper, soft cover books, brown envelopes and packing paper.

What should be shredded?
Public Works recommends that you shred any documents that contain personal, health or financial information, social security information, and other documents that might identify you and leave you vulnerable to identity theft. Shredded paper should be recycled by placing it in a paper bag (to avoid being blown by the wind and becoming litter) and including it with your other paper recyclables.

What is Bristol doing to help increase recycling?
Bristol currently has 2 separate recycle pilots underway. The first, in the Burlington Avenue area, has a large barrel for all paper and cardboard products. All other recyclables are still placed in recycle bins in this area. The second pilot area, in the Redstone Hill Road neighborhood, has one large barrel for all recyclable materials (called Single Stream recycling).
Both of these pilot areas are being closely monitored to determine the effectiveness of the pilots. Results of both pilots have been favorable, and show increased recycling by the residents in these areas.

In areas not participating in the recycle pilots, newspapers and other paper recyclables can be placed in a separate bin or in paper bags. Recycle bins are available, free of charge, at Public Works (City Hall – Ground Floor) Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday mornings at the Transfer Station.

What about businesses, apartment complexes or condominiums?
Everyone is required to recycle by CT State law. For those residents that do not qualify for residential curbside collection from the City (i.e. commercial properties, dwellings with more than 5 living units) arrangements must be made with a private collector. More information is available from the CT Department of Environmental Protection by following the link from the Public Works web site at: Link

If you have any questions, or want more information about recycling, please contact Public Works at (860) 584-6125.

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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com