TEE CEE’S TIP

DEAR TEE CEE >> I sometimes find myself standing over the recycling bin wondering if the item

I’m holding can be recycled. When I’m not sure, I go ahead and recycle it because I figure that even if it’s not recyclable, at least I’m supporting the recycling industry and creating jobs by putting more material in the bin. Is this correct? I assume people are sorting our recyclables, so am I doing right by those people when I recycle things I’m not sure about?

— Optimistic in Old Town

DEAR OPTIMISTIC >> We do have people as well as automatic sorting equipment sorting your recyclables at the Boulder County Recycling Center. Recycling creates an average of nine times more jobs than trash, so thank you for considering the employment and economic benefits of recycling (of which there are many)! However, it’s not just recycling that supports these employees, it’s recycling correctly.

The staff at the BCRC work to keep the sorting system running smoothly, and when people put the correct materials in the bin, that makes their job much easier and more efficient. When the wrong materials go in the bin — like plastic bags and scrap metal — the staffers have to act quickly to remove these contaminants from the conveyor belts. Sometimes sorting mistakes can pose a health and safety threat to workers when hazardous materials like syringes, bear spray, moldy containers, or diapers are thrown into the recycling bin.

Rather than spending their time grabbing contamination off the line, these folks’ time would be better spent on higher-level (and higher-paying) tasks like forklift operation, systems operations, or baling.

When materials come in cleaner, our systems are more cost-effective, the materials are more valuable to market, and the more we can “level up” these jobs.

The best way to support your local recycling workers is to carefully consult your recycling guidelines and “recycle right.” You’ll give employees a better day at work and you won’t contribute to anything that slows their efficiency, damages the machinery, contaminates an otherwise clean load of recycling, or far worse — hurts or sickens them.

The next time you’re standing over the recycling bin, unsure of whether something is recyclable, please check our recycling guidelines. Still not sure? Go with our motto, “When in doubt, give us a shout!” Call Eco-cycle’s hotline at 303-444-6634, email recycle@ecocycle.org, use our Eco-cycle A—Z Recycling Guide on our website or download the app.

If you can’t access one of these resources, think, “When in doubt, throw it out!” Your local recycling sorter thanks you.

We appreciate your conscientious support of recycling and of the dedicated individuals who make it possible.

— Tee Cee

— Got Zero Waste questions or thoughts? We have answers. Email Eco-cycle at rosie@ecocycle.org, call 303-444-6634, or visit ecocycle.org.