Two-Stream Recycling and Other Initiatives at RWS Push Recycling Tonnage Up 6%, Reducing Costs for Communities

New signs appearing on freshly painted drop-off containers to help residents understand new system

PORTLAND, Maine – Recycling is up 6 percent and climbing at Regional Waste Systems, the result of a shift to two-stream recycling and an aggressive effort to attract recycled materials.

Residents are asked to watch for new signage that has been installed this summer on the familiar silver drop-off recycling containers that helps explain the two-stream system. The containers also are being retro fitted and repainted.

Increased recycling levels translate into reduced costs to communities since less trash needs to be disposed of. Also, RWS is increasing revenues by selling the recycled materials on the open market, further reducing the financial burden on member communities.

“Everyone here is excited about the increase in recycling to 21,500 tons for the last fiscal year, and we are well on our way to reaching our goal of 25,000 tons this year,” said Kevin Roche, the RWS general manager. “The bottom line is that recycling is good for the environment, good for RWS and good for taxpayers in our member communities.”

He added, “And that’s why we want to make it as easy as possible for them to get involved.”

RWS recently shifted from three-stream recycling to two-stream, which allows paper materials to be mixed together. With less separation required, more residents already are getting involved, both in curbside collection programs in some communities and at the more than 100 drop off containers found in 60 locations throughout southern Maine.

The new signs detail what materials are allowed in the drop-off containers, separated into two sections labeled Paper and Containers.
Permitted ‘Paper’ materials include mail, office paper, magazines, catalogs, milk cartons, boxes, newspapers, inserts, phone books, paper bags, juice cartons and cardboard.

Materials permitted in the ‘Containers’ section include #1 plastics (water bottles and soda bottles); #2 plastics (detergent, bleach bottles and milk jugs); clear and colored glass; metal cans; aluminum foil, trays and cans; and empty aerosol cans.

All containers must be empty, and plastic containers should be flattened or crushed if possible. Also, no garbage, plastic bags or needles are allowed in either section.

Almost 30 of the drop-off containers received a fresh coat of paint this summer by students involved in the Youth Building Alternatives program offered by Portland West.

Youth Building Alternatives is a comprehensive, education program that teaches young adults the skills they need for a healthy and productive future. Community service is a key component of the program. The students, most between the ages of 16 and 20, have either dropped out of high school or been referred to the program by the Maine Department of Corrections.

“We value and appreciate our partnership with RWS for a number of reasons,” said Tom Pearson, the Director of Programs for Portland West. “First, we certainly feel that recycling is a good thing for the community and want to help promote it. Second, it’s a chance to give young people training in the skills for sandblasting and painting; and finally, it brings in revenue to help support our mission.”

Regional Waste Systems is a non-profit solid waste management corporation that is owned and operated by 21 cities and towns (Bridgton, Cape Elizabeth, Casco, Cumberland, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, Gray, Harrison, Hollis, Limington, Lyman, North Yarmouth, Ogunquit, Portland, Pownal, Scarborough, South Portland, Waterboro, Windham and Yarmouth), and also has six associate member towns (Baldwin, Hiram, Naples, Parsonsfield, Porter and Standish.)

Besides the waste-to-energy facility, RWS operates the largest, most comprehensive municipal recycling program in the state, recycling more than 21,000 tons of recycled materials each year. Established in 1974 after Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough decided to form a cooperative to handle their waste disposal, RWS today is governed by a 28-member board, consisting of officials appointed from member communities. RWS accepts solid waste and recycled materials from these communities. For more info, visit the RWS web site at www.regionalwaste.org.

# # #