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Learn local recycling requirements to reduce waste

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By Caroline Rosacker

Discarded products are filling up our landfills at an alarming rate, but many of the items we throw away can be recycled. After decades of urgent public-information campaigns, Americans finally understand the need and importance of recycling. 

The following is a complete list of recyclables Kluesner Sanitation LLC, will accept from Guttenberg residents. 

Acceptable clean metal products

* Aluminum

* Tin, steel, and aluminum cans

* Metal jar lids

* Coat hangers

* Aerosol cans

* Christmas tree lights

* Pots and pans

* Empty paint and aerosol containers

Acceptable cardboard and paper products:

* Newspapers, magazines, and catalogs

* Corrugated cardboard, staples do not need to be removed; pizza boxes must be clean of food refuse.

* Gray chipboard including cereal, cracker, and shoeboxes

* Junk mail and envelopes

* Paper bags

* Mixed office paper

* Phone, paperback, and hardcover books

* Paper egg cartons

* Paper towel and toilet tissue roll cores

* Shredded paper strips

All cardboard or paper products must be clean, dry, and flattened, pieces need to be in two foot by two foot pieces.

Acceptable plastic products

* Plastic with the numbers one through five and number seven symbols only

* Milk and juice jugs

* Pop and water bottles

* Yogurt containers

* Ice cream tubs

* Cooking oil containers

* Shampoo bottles

* Lotion bottles

* Dish and liquid soap bottles

* Bleach and detergent containers

* Household cleaning containers

Please remove and discard all caps, lids, rings, and pumps from plastics, and flatten containers to conserve space.

Unacceptable cardboard and paper products

* Milk and juice paperboard cartons

* Slick-coated frozen food boxes

* Greeting cards and gift-wrap

* Paper plates, cups and napkins

* Photographs

* Disposable diapers

* Cereal and cracker box liners

* Crosscut paper or shredded paper

Unacceptable plastic products

* Styrofoam

* Plastic bags and film wrap

* Plastic with #6 symbol

* Plastic without a recycling symbol

* Oil and antifreeze containers

* Medical supplies and “sharps”

* Plastic shopping bags (please recycle at participating stores)

Unacceptable miscellaneous items:

* Televisions

* Computers and electronic equipment

* Tires

* Glass is not acceptable for recycling. Glass should be placed in your trash.

Accepts glass

Waste Management will accept glass recyclables at their Prairie du Chien, Wis., location at 62949 Vineyard Road. The dumpster is located outside their office building and is easily accessible. 

Follow guidelines

It is important to place only acceptable recycling items in your recycling bin. Failure to comply with the listed items could result in the entire bin being discarded in the trash. 

Hazardous items

There are two options in the area for recycling hazardous items. Each spring Osborne Conservation Center offers its annual free drop off for household hazardous waste, and Bi-County Disposal, located at 2022 325th Ave, Dyersville will accept hazardous items for a small fee. 

If you have questions concerning hazardous waste recycling, contact environmental specialist Kathleen Hennings of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources by calling 515-725-8359, or email at Kathleen.Hennings@dnr.iowa.gov

Scrap metal can be recycled by delivering to Clayton County Recycling located at 11645 Echo Ave, Monona.  

Tips to reduce waste

United States consumers are creating more waste than ever. In the most recent survey taken in 2015, data shows that Americans generate the equivalent of five pounds of trash per person per day. 

What can we do?

As responsible land stewards Americans need to get serious about reducing our waste. 

The following are nine simple ways every household can reduce their refuse. 

* Get to know the rules of recycling. 

* Use reusable cloth bags instead of relying on plastic bags.

* Make a meal plan. Only purchase groceries you know you will eat. 

* Start relying on reusable containers for proper storage of food to extend its shelf life. 

* Learn to compost. Many discarded food items can be composted to create nutrient-rich soil.

* Learn to repair rather than discard.  

* Cancel unnecessary mail.

* Stop using disposable plates and wash and reuse plastic silverware, plates and cups.

* Stop buying plastic water bottles.

If we all do our part and follow a few simple guidelines it is possible to reduce the waste that we leave on this planet.

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