What are the black elastic straps on the recycling bin for?
The straps are to be used to secure the materials inside the bin. Stretch one of the straps over to the other and "hook" it to the other strap.
I will be moving soon. What do I do with the recycling bin?
The city-issued recycling bin is the property of the City of Raleigh. Please leave it in the rear yard or garage of the residence when you move.
Curbside Collection.
Is there a charge for recycling collection?
All households are charged a monthly fee for recycling that is established each year with the annual budget. The fee is for the entire recycling program: collection, electronics, recycling in the parks, dropping off spent rechargeable batteries at neighborhood fire stations, the Swap Shop, events, presentations and many other components. All households pay the fee whether they elect to participate in the collection component of the recycling program or not.
Assistance is available for those unable to bring the bin to the curb.
All the containers I put in my bin had the recycling symbol (three chasing arrows), but the crew did not take them. Doesn't this symbol mean it can be recycled?
No! Many people are deceived by this friendly symbol. That's exactly what the three chasing arrows symbol is - a friendly reminder to recycle. It may mean the product can be recycled somewhere, but not necessarily here in Raleigh. So many manufacturers misuse it that it may even be used to mean the product was made from recycled materials. It's important for residents to know their local recycling program. Local programs are set up to accept the items they have markets for. If there is no market for the material, adding unacceptable items at best causes additional labor costs of someone having to pull them all out (and pay to dispose of them) and at worse, if missed, contaminates a load of good materials and sends it all to the landfill. Know the details and only include the items listed! If in doubt, call 996.6890.
The recycling symbol doesn't mean the product can be recycled here in Raleigh.
Why can't we recycle ALL plastic containers? Why just BOTTLES?
Even though a bottle (soda, shampoo, water) and non-bottle shaped plastic (yogurt, margarine, deli tray) product may have the same "number" or resin code (#1-7) on it, there are NOT the same. The non-bottle shaped product has had a chemical added to it that makes it melt at a much higher temperature. There are no markets to sell non-bottle shaped plastics to in the southeast. It is cost prohibitive to warehouse and transport non-bottle shaped plastic to the west coast where there are most markets, most of which are shipped to China. When a stable market develops in the southeast we will add non-bottle shaped plastic to our program.
Unacceptable Plastics.
Where can I recycle some of the materials that are not accepted in the curbside recycling program?
My recycling bin is broken or was stolen. What do I do?
If the straps on the bin are broken the bin does not need to be replaced, simply call Raleigh Recycling at 996.6890 and ask for replacement straps. If the container is actually split (not simply cracked) it will also be replaced at no charge, again, call 996.6890 and explain the situation and arrangements will be made for the replacement bin.
My collection day is tomorrow and the weather forecast is for snow / sleet / ice / hurricane. What will the collection schedule be?
Depending on the severity of the weather, collection may be delayed. Please refer to the local television and radio stations, the News and Observer, the Raleigh Television Network cable channel RTN22, our web site www.raleighnc.gov, or call the Solid Waste Services Hotline 831.6194 for the latest schedule changes.
Raleigh Recycling logo
Can my old computer be recycled?
Computers contain harmful materials. Each computer monitor may contain as much as eight pounds of lead. Circuit boards contain heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury and chromium. Plastic housings contain PCBs.
Raleigh residents can call Solid Waste Services at 996.6890 to arrange for computer collection. Once an appointment is made the computer is placed curbside. Accepted are: computer monitors, cords, processing units, computer speakers, scanners, parts, keyboards, mice, fax machines and copiers.
Residents may also take computers equipment and ANY other item with a CORD, including TVs, directly to one of Wake County's Multi-Materials Facilities, at no charge. Call Wake County Solid Waste Management at 856.6186 for complete information.
Residents are reminded they may also make a tax-deductible donation of useable equipment to a number of charitable organizations. The City of Raleigh promotes reuse of good equipment before recycling.
Old computers can be recycled.
What should residents do with common household alkaline batteries (non-rechargeable)?
Regular household (non-rechargeable) batteries are rarely considered to be hazardous since only very small amounts, if any, manufactured today (since 1994) contain mercury. Alkaline batteries are composed primarily of common metals - steel, zinc and manganese - and do not pose a health or environmental risk during normal use or disposal. Proven cost-effective and environmentally safe recycling processes are not yet universally available for alkaline batteries. Implementing a collection and disposal program using the household hazardous waste vendors would be very costly. If you are making a trip taking other items to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, take them along; otherwise, it is not worth the gas to make the trip there and they can safely be disposed of in the garbage.
For More Information Contact:
Linda A. Leighton
Waste Reduction Specialist
Solid Waste Services Department
400 West Peace Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-996-6890
