DES MOINES, Iowa — The City of Des Moines is working to combat contaminated recycling bins through its recycling helpers program, a team dedicated to identifying recycling mistakes and educating Des Moines residents about what does and doesn’t belong in recycling bins. The program helps ensure that the city’s recycling stream stays free from contamination.
This group of recycling auditors walks recycling routes on pick-up days, checking each bin for items that could disrupt the recycling stream. If an item is found, the helper will tag the bin, letting the owner know a mistake was made. Contamination in the recycling stream can cause recyclable items to be thrown away and can create disruptions by clogging machines.
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Recycling can be tricky, and leaders with public works say there are popular items to watch out for and keep out of your bins.
“Number one, the plastic shopping bags from your local supermarkets and big box stores, Styrofoam, or when you get the amazon package and it’s in a cardboard box, which is great, we really like those cardboard boxes, but all of the packing material in there like the plastic bag and the Styrofoam to make sure the TV got to you without being broke, that’s not recyclable,” said Craig Shepherd, operating manager with Public Works…