The City of Asheville is asking residents to improve their recycling habits. Contamination rates in local recycling bins have increased in recent years. The city previously had a 5% contamination rate. This rose to 6% in 2020 and about 8% in 2021. Contamination happens when non-recyclable items or garbage are placed in recycling bins. This can disrupt recycling and lower the value of recyclable materials.
To address this, Asheville’s Sanitation Division has launched the AVL Collects webpage and a free app for Apple and Android devices. The app gives residents collection schedules, reminders for trash and recycling days, and notifications about service changes. The goal is to help residents follow recycling guidelines.
The AVL Collects app includes a feature called the “Waste Wizard.” This tool lets users search for items and learn how to recycle or dispose of them. It helps residents avoid common recycling mistakes…