As most Morgan Hillites know, we are proud to have a very
successful recycling program – while still maintaining unlimited
garbage collection.
As most Morgan Hillites know, we are proud to have a very successful recycling program – while still maintaining unlimited garbage collection. Unlike neighboring communities, we can set out extra cans of garbage when the need arises. Naturally, the success of this system depends on your continued interest and participation.
I want to take this week’s column to go over “Recycling Basics in Morgan Hill” to make certain that we all know the rules.
• Recycling and Yard Trimmings Collection are Biweekly Only – Recyclables and yard trimmings are collected every other week only. This schedule reduces the community’s collection costs and the amount of energy spent collecting the materials. You should have received a calendar in December that labels each week with an A or B. Your mailing label should have an A or B on it that corresponds with your recycling week. If you didn’t receive a calendar, please contact us.
• You Can Get More Recycling Containers and/or Different Containers – Our recycling program offers a mix of containers with different sizes and different styles. These include indoor deskside paper boxes, 16 gallon bins, 32 gallon recycling carts, 64 gallon recycling carts, and 96 gallon yard trimmings carts. You can get as many of these containers that you need to store your recycling. If you would like additional containers, please contact us.
• Mixed Paper, Mixed Paper, and More Mixed Paper – Mixed paper includes items like mail, cereal boxes, magazines, catalogs, and many packing materials. If you are a good recycler, you’ll probably be amazed by the amount of mixed paper you have. Naturally, newspaper is recycled too.
• Corrugated Cardboard and Yard Trimmings Cannot Be Set Out As Garbage – Corrugated cardboard (cardboard with the honeycomb structure between the layers) and yard trimmings are only collected as recyclables. If you include these items with your trash, the driver has been instructed to leave them behind. Cardboard should be flattened and reduced in size to 3 feet.
• Glass, Aluminum, Steel/Tin Cans, and Plastics 1-7 Can Be Commingled – These materials all get placed in the same bin. There is no reason to keep them separate. Polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam) is accepted in the program. Small “peanuts” should be secured in a plastic bag. There is no need to bag large pieces of foam.
• Used Oil and Oil Filters Require Special Containers – Oil and oil filter containers are available from South Valley. Call them at 842-3358 to request them.
• Keep the Food Out – Cardboard and other materials contaminated with food should not be recycled. Please rinse your containers out reasonably and throw away food contaminated paper like pizza boxes.
• Coming One Day – In the future, we anticipate adding additional materials to the curbside recycling program like plastic bags, scrap metal and textiles. Stay tuned!
Eco-Fact of the Week: The Morgan Hill curbside recycling program was started in 1992 with basic recycling. Yard trimmings and mixed paper were added to the program in 1999. Additional plastic containers were added in 2002. We hope to add more materials this year!
