After a Tucson-area resident shared on the Nextdoor app listening to that the corporate that picks up the recycling takes it to the landfill, with out attempting to recycle it, a number of neighbors replied that they’d cancel their service.
Is the rumor true? The reply is, it relies upon.
A survey of companies in jap Pima County outdoors of Tucson that decide up trash revealed that all of them settle for recycling and solely take it to landfill when it is closely contaminated.
The 2 smaller corporations could not settle for neighborhood recycling when just one or two households need to recycle. So it’s not value efficient.
Recycling is puzzling. There isn’t a doubt about that. Winter guests to Tucson could discover it extra so if the foundations are completely different from their summer season properties.
Individuals additionally learn…
In some areas throughout the nation, residents separate plastic, steel, and paper, usually separating glass into separate containers. This reduces contamination as a result of it is vitally seen when every container accommodates particular substances.
Within the Tucson space, we use single-stream recycling. The whole lot is put into one container, and sorted in a fabric restoration facility. When every thing is put in a single container, it’s simple to make errors.
When one recycler accepts glass and the opposite would not, it is baffling.
When residents do not consider the issues they put of their recycling containers are being recycled, however are as a substitute taken to a landfill, they really feel it is okay to place virtually something in curbside recycling containers. As soon as that is achieved, it’s going to virtually actually go to landfill as a result of all the load will likely be contaminated.

Recycling guidelines fluctuate by firm, which may trigger residents to be confused about what to place of their bins.
Courtesy of Republic Providers
Don’t use a recycling bin for waste. All trash and recycling corporations within the space will work with somebody who needs two rubbish containers and never one recycling bin, or another mixture. This will likely be higher than contaminated masses. Some could cost for a further container.
Crucial factor to learn about recycling in Tucson and Pima County is that you simply should not put something in your recycling bin that does not belong in it. This contains plastic grocery luggage, greasy pizza containers, and trash—one thing you would possibly discover arduous to consider is repeatedly present in recycling bins—soiled diapers.
The motto of all recyclers is: “When unsure, eliminate it.”
recycling guidelines
These things are normally allowed in curbside recycling:
#1 – #7 plastic bottles and jugs. Rinse after which change the caps.
Corrugated carton as packing containers. Disassemble it and take away the surplus packing tape. Don’t settle for pizza containers as a result of they’re greasy. If the highest is clear, rip it off and put it within the bottomless recycling bin.
Comparable to carton containers reminiscent of cereal or pasta.
Milk and juice cans if they’re clear.
Spam and workplace paper.
Aluminum cans and different steel meals cans. You possibly can go away the stickers turned on.
All gadgets have to be clear with no meals or grease on or inside.
As a common rule, do not put something smaller than a tennis ball into the curbside recycling. When they’re sorted by machine, these little issues can fall by means of the machine.
By no means put plastic grocery luggage or different versatile plastic gadgets reminiscent of bubble wrap and cellophane in curbside recycling. It may be recycled in most grocery shops.
There’s a lot that may be recycled and quite a bit that can not be recycled. Verify your organization’s web site for particulars.
tucson environmental providers
tucsonaz.gov/recycle, 520-791-5000
Should you stay in Tucson, Tucson takes care of your trash and recycles it. Recycling is picked up each two weeks and brought to the ReCommunity Recycling Heart, which is owned by Republic Providers.
Each trash and recycling containers are offered by town.
Tucson doesn’t settle for glass for curbside recycling. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to throw bottles and jars at a number of websites, which you will see that on the Web tucne.ws / 1l27.
Recycling is transported to the ReCommunity Recycling Heart, which is owned by Republic Providers.
Charges fluctuate relying on location, owners affiliation dealings, variety of pickup occasions and different components.
Each trash and recycling containers are offered.
The Waste Division accepts gadgets on the usual menu, however in addition they settle for bottles and jars and are keen to pay slightly further to recycle them. Torn paper shouldn’t be allowed.
If a fabric restoration facility experiences extreme contamination from a selected truck, operators will likely be extra vigilant in neighborhoods the place the truck providers and will attempt to educate prospects about what’s allowed in curbside recycling.
Eliminate the silver level
silverpointdisposal.com520-477-7961
Residential recycling is carried out to the regional landfill in Marana to single-stream recycling containers there. Waste administration then takes the contents to the ReCommunity Recycling Heart.
The quarterly price is usually $65 to gather twice weekly with some variations primarily based on location. Reductions can be found for army, first responders, and educators, however you will need to ask.
One container is offered. Prospects ought to put recycling – no plastic luggage – on the underside and put all trash in trash luggage on prime. Rubbish luggage will likely be separated when picked up.
That is a person operation, so proprietor Stephen Squires sees contamination instantly. Something greater than an unintended error and the shopper is notified by electronic mail or textual content message.
Silver Level Disposal accepts the usual listing of recyclables, bottles and jars.
Squires may also decide up every other gadgets if prospects are notified upfront. It can decide up yard waste, home equipment, and absolutely anything massive. He’ll take it to the suitable locations for recycling when acceptable and to a landfill, if that’s the solely possibility. It can additionally take hazardous waste individually if notified upfront.
Those that usually are not prospects of Silver Level Disposal can contact Squires to rearrange pick-up of one thing that can not be left in the usual trolley. The price depends upon what the pickup is and the place you need to go.
Hughes Well being Providers LLC
tucsontrash.com520-883-5868
The residential recycling is transported to the Tucson Transit Station on Ina Street. Residents can not go away their recycling supplies at this location.
Charges are as much as $10 monthly for biweekly receipts. Trash containers are equipped. There may be a further cost if a second trash can is requested. Prospects provide their very own recycling bin.
Hughes Sanitation accepts the usual listing of recyclable supplies excluding #2 plastics and glass.
If contamination is noticed, flyers are left to the shopper.

Workers work on sorting machines at Republic Providers’ recycling middle in Tucson.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Every day Star
Republic providers
republicservices.com And the recyclingsimplified.com520-745-8820
Recycling is carried out to the Republic Providers Materials Restoration Facility.
Rubbish assortment and recycling happen as soon as per week. Charges fluctuate primarily based on location and HOA contracts. Rubbish and recycling containers are offered; Varied sizes can be found.
Operators attempt to monitor contamination however normally use automated aspect loaders, so checking shouldn’t be simple.
Republic accepts the usual listing of recyclable gadgets together with bottles and jars.
Fast disposal (RAD)
wasteconnections.com/arizona520-881-4227
RAD is now Arizona’s waste communications. go to the tucne.ws/1l2a For a complete listing of what is acceptable.
Recycling is carried out to our materials restoration facility in Apache Junction and sorted by hand.
Containers are offered. Charges fluctuate primarily based on location and different circumstances.
RAD suspended recycling providers for a couple of months at first of COVID as a result of recycling was sorted manually and was cautious for its staff. It goes again to recycling repeatedly.
residing residence
What in case you stay in an residence that has no recycling?
Speak to your pool supervisor and attempt to get her or him so as to add recycling bins close to the trash can.
Take your recycling to a neighborhood recycling middle. You will discover a listing of these in Tucson at tucne.ws/1l2b And details about recycling in Pima County tucne.ws / 1l2c.
Joanna Eubank, Digital Producer for The Arizona Every day Star and tucson.com. She has been working with Star in varied positions since 1991.