Recycling Changes
As of March 1, 2018, our Curbside Comingled/Mixed Recycling blue cart made changes to acceptable items. Going forward, the only acceptable Plastics are BOTTLES/JUGS ONLY. Check the neck - the opening must be smaller than the base! Shredded paper has also been eliminated from Mixed Recycling.
All other recyclables will stay the same. Please click here for the latest version of Waste 101, our guide to all things waste. We have communicated this change through direct mail and email (if provided) with our customers, news release to local newspaper and radio, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, as well as our website.
Good News: China is making efforts to clean up their environment, primarily water and air pollution.
Bad News: We can no longer accept plastics other than bottles/jugs because those items are on the list of China's import ban of 24 varieties of solid waste and recyclables. There is currently no market for all other plastics.
At Thompson's, we are committed to our recycling efforts. It is crucial we all play a part in cleaning up materials collected for recycling because we're in danger of losing recycling markets altogether, meaning your recycling material may end up at a landfill.
Here is a list of documents/articles to help understand recycling changes:
Waste 101 - a guide to Newport's recycling and waste
Flyer to TSS Customers 3-01-18
Letter to TSS Customers 2-26-18
Article: China No Longer Wants Your Trash
Article: China bans Import of Foreign Waste
Article: 3 Things You Should Never Put Out for Curbside Recycling
Article: A giant wave of plastic garbage could flood the U.S.
Article: Where Will Your Plastic Trash Go Now That China Doesn't Want It?
ORRA List of Acceptable Comingled/Mixed Recycling Items
Powerpoint Presentation, Current Recycling Status as presented to the Newport City Council 3-5-18