Material List

 

We Can Take

We Cannot Take

Plastic

 Containers #1 - #7

Plastic Bags
Styrofoam

Cans

 Aluminum or bi-metal
(or tin) cans		 Aluminum foil, food trays, wire 
hangers, scrap metal of any kind

Glass

 NO GLASS OF ANY KIND We are working on alternatives, but
there are no markets in the area
All plastic and metal containers should be co-mingled into a bin of your choice
All paper should be in a separate bin/garbage can/paper bag

Paper

Newsprint, office paper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, phone books,
shredded paper, cardboard product packaging, windowed envelopes,
paperback books, and hardback books (covers removed).

  Cardboard 

 Completely flatten cardboard boxes and place under or next to bins

 

Glass update - 2/13/2010

We are unable to accept glass primarily because we do not sort, but rather deliver material. To add a sorting capability would dramatically increase our costs - we are at the whim of the MRFs we work with. They don't take it due to lack of demand in "this area" - being defined as a range that makes the fuel required to deliver worth the material delivered. Not necessarily worth in strict economic terms, but also environmental terms. If we ship a load of glass 1,500 miles, are we really coming out ahead in the equation? The gas may be more valuable than the sand saved. It is being accepted by some municipal programs in the area due to stipulations in the contracts and some of it is being used. Much of it is being stockpiled. 

There are good uses for pulverized glass. Recycled glass countertops are gaining popularity, landscaping pieces, sand blasting aggregate, glass blowers - it makes a dustless road pack or parking lot cover, works well in soil stabilization. If you have a need for any of the many uses this commodity can fulfill or if you are interested in emerging "green" businesses, I would urge you to explore any application of used glass. I can put you in contact with an almost unlimited supply in Baton Rouge, at a very good price.

One thing we considered is using pulverized glass as a stabilizer for barrier islands. It's inert, has the consistency of coarse salt, would work well to prevent further erosion and enhance natural processes that rebuild the islands. Once they are gone, it will be difficult to replace them as wetlands protection. Steven O'Connor has parted ways with us so that he can devote his full time to this concept. I will provide updates when Steven is ready, but he is working with the appropriate science and government communities to see this to fruition.

In the meantime, if you had to pick an item to exclude form the traditional curbside menu, glass would definitely be the one. It's harmless in a landfill (other than space) and the raw materials for it's manufature are plentiful and easily harvested. Not to imply it's not a priority, but it is a piece to the puzzle.