![Recyclable materials are sorted using machinery at the Materials Recycling Facility. [ALICIA ADAMS | Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-4d4b77d6-3b6f-2e35-e053-0100007fe439-8a148cd8-scaled.jpeg)
MILTON — Increasingly, local residents are recycling prohibited materials.
According to George Rials, Milton’s public works director, residents are putting everything from lumber to concrete blocks in their recycling bins.
The recycling of prohibited materials, such as garden hoses, construction materials or plastic bags, could cause problems for the recycling facility and eventually for Santa Rosa County residents.
PROBLEMS IN ALL SIZES
“The real issue that comes in is, if our rejection rate at the transfer station is too high, then we’re out,” City Manager Brian Watkins said.
Contamination levels accepted at the ECUA recycling facility are 8-15 percent; anything over 15 percent has to be taken to the landfill, according to ECUA Public Information Officer Jim Roberts.
Prohibited materials being mixed in with other recyclable materials can cause contamination.
ECUA is concerned with people recycling dangerous items, such as medical waste, according to Zero Waste Operations Manager Shawn Sapp.
Syringes and other hazardous materials are not recyclable; they can cause damage to the machinery at the MRF, contaminate the other material and harm sanitation employees.
Residents are also recycling prohibited materials such as propane tanks. In mid-April, a propane tank was placed in a machine at the MRF and caused a small explosion and fire.
Even the smallest items can cause problems. For instance, many residents do not know that plastic bags are non-recyclable and can cause damage to the MRF’s machinery.
NO COMPLIANCE, NO COLLECTION
The recycling facility is considered a “clean MRF” due to its low levels of contamination, according to Roberts.
“It’s very important that we have a clean MRF and provide these materials to these customers,” Roberts said.
Paper products produced at the MRF are sold to countries like China; the glass products are sold to the city of Atlanta. Many recycling facilities do not accept glass products, but the specialized equipment at the ECUA MRF allows for glass to be processed without contamination.
Although the ECUA serves Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, along with Mobile and Andalusia, the company does not currently serve Pensacola due to reportedly high contamination levels.
Milton may be next if residents do not watch what they are recycling.
According to Roberts, the ECUA will start conducting inspections of residents’ recycling cans, leaving friendly reminders for those who aren’t recycling properly.
“Eventually, we won’t collect if they don’t comply,” Roberts said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Watch what you recycle