1: What is a recyclable?
2: Can I recycle envelopes with cellophane windows?
3: What should I do with empty paint cans?
4: Can I recycle post-it notes and envelopes with gummy adhesives?
5: Why can't I recycle my plastic deli tubs that are labeled #1 on the bottom?
6: What is a Landfill?
7: What is the purpose of a landfill?

______________________________________________________________

Q: What is a recyclable?
A: Recyclables are products or materials that can be collected, separated and processed to be used as raw materials in the manufacture of new products.  Accepted recyclables at BuRRT include: steel and empty aerosol cans, aluminum, plastic bottles #1 and #2, junk mail, newspaper, magazines, office paper, cardboard, glass, phone books, green waste, electronic waste, tires, scrap metal, and appliances.  For more detailed information download the Recycling Guidelines by clicking on the facilities link followed by the BuRRT page.


Q: Can I recycle envelopes with cellophane windows?
A: Yes!  The bales of paper produced by BuRRT allow for a small percentage of contamination in which envelopes with cellophane windows are an accepted contaminate.  Simply toss cellophane windowed envelopes in your recycling as is.   If you are willing to put in the extra effort, remove the cellophane before recycling it!

Q: What should I do with empty paint cans?
A: Once empty, paint cans are not toxic and can be disposed of in the regular trash.  Paint cans containing water based latex paint can be disposed of in a few ways other than waiting until Household Hazardous Waste Day.  One way is to set the paint out in the sun on a warm day and let the paint dry up.  Once the paint is dried it can be thrown away.  The other option is to mix in a solidifying agent such as dirt or kitty litter and once hardened throw the can away.  If the paint is still in good working condition it can be donated to a reuse place such as Habitat for Humanity. 

Any paint that is not water based must be dispoed of at the annual Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off day at BuRRT. Next years HHW event will take place on April 20th, 2008.

Q: Can I recycle post-it notes and envelopes with gummy adhesives?
A:Any paper that is a pressure sensitive adhesive such as a post-it note or a sticker is NOT recyclable.  However, if the sticky part of the post-it note is removed the rest can be recycled! 

As for envelopes with gummy adhesives, they are recyclable.  BuRRT only runs into a problem with these envelopes if they arrive in large quantities.  If that is the case please call ahead of time.

Q: Why can't I recycle my plastic deli tubs that are labeled #1 on the bottom?
A: Plastic deli tubs labeled #1 are "injection-molded" versus #1 plastic bottles with a neck which are "blow-molded".   As a result of the different molding techniques, these two plastics are not compatible when it comes to the melting process in the recycling plant. 

One interesting outlook on deli tubs is that they make great tupperware and can replace the need to buy traditional tupperware.  

For more detailed information on recycling plastics please visit the link below.

Recycling_Plastic_Complications

Q: What is a Landfill?
A: There are two ways to bury trash:

	Dump An open hole in the ground where trash is buried and that has various animals (rats, mice, birds) swarming around. (This is most people's idea of a landfill!)
	Landfill Carefully designed structure built into or on top of the ground in which trash is isolated from the surrounding environment (groundwater, air, rain). This isolation is accomplished with a bottom liner and daily covering of soil.
	•	Sanitary landfill Landfill that uses a clay liner to isolate the trash from the environment
	•	Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill Uses a synthetic (plastic) liner to isolate the trash from the environment

Q: What is the purpose of a landfill?
A: The purpose of a landfill is to bury the trash in such a way that it will be isolated from groundwater, will be kept dry and will not be in contact with air. Under these conditions, trash will not decompose much. A landfill is not like a compost pile, where the purpose is to bury trash in such a way that it will decompose quickly.