By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer

Mayor Bob Stefanik’s office received a number of calls relating the recent story regarding recycling guidelines. The story came about when a resident called Rumpke Waste and Recycling to inquire about the items that could be recycled. Rumpke took over rubbish/recycling duties in the city. Rumpke told her that only plastic bottles and jugs could be recycled. She was upset to hear it, as she was an avid recycler and contacted the Recorder to see if it was true.

Rumpke officials did verify the information, but, according to Stefanik, the information that North Royalton residents were receiving was incorrect. “They were talking to Rumpke employees in Circleville, Ohio, who didn’t know the details of our contract with Rumpke, said Stefanik. “We have a whole different contract than the corporate contract,” he said. He explained that although most of Rumpke’s customers in Ohio did follow those guidelines, North Royalton and Cuyahoga County fall under different criteria, as they place a higher value on recycling. Although Ohio doesn’t take some of the materials recycled, the agreement that the city of North Royalton has with Rumpke, located in Broadview Heights, is that anything that is recyclable is taken to Greenstar Recycling, located in Pennsylvania.
“ I cannot stress the importance of recycling. Absolutely anything that can be recycled, should be. This is something that I feel very strongly about,” said Stefanik. “Not only is it good for the environment, but it will save taxpayers money down the road.” All rubbish that is taken out of the waste stream saves the city money in tipping fees at the landfill. “It’s good for the environment, and good for the pocket book.” Stefanik also noted that when the city is ready to re-negotiate their contract, the more that residents recycle, the better contract they can negotiate.

The correct recycling guidelines, as posted on the city’s website, are as follows:
“Plastic All sizes of beverage, milk, water, juice, detergent and bleach bottles with caps & rings, pipe and fencing. Rinse and flatten all bottles. To include all recycle items marked #1 – #7. The following are examples of the types of plastic:

#1 Polyester fibers, thermoformed sheet, strapping and soft drink bottles
#2 Bottles, grocery bags, milk jugs, recycling bins, agriculture pipe, base cups, car stops, playground equipment and plastic lumber.
#3 Pipe, fencing and non-food bottles
#4 Plastic bags, 6 pack rings, various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing and various molded laboratory equipment.
#5 Industrial fibers, food containers and dishware. #6 Desk accessaries, cafeteria trays, plastic utensils, toys, video cassettes and cases, and insulation board and other expanded polystyrene products (e.g., Styrofoam)
#7 Bottles, plastic lumber applications, headlight lenses and safety shields/glasses.

Glass All bottles and jars with caps & rings, rinse all items. NO windows, windshields, headlights, pyrex dishes, glassware, ceramic materials, mirrors or plate glass will be accepted.

Aluminum & Aluminum, tin, bi-metal cans, aluminum foil, pie/frozen dinner pans. Rinsed and Metal Cans flattened.
Mixed Paper Combination of newspapers, catalogs, magazines, junk-mail, all cardboard (cut to 1’x2’ size), office-computer-school paper and phone books.

Scrap Metal Small metal items may be dropped off. No propane or fuel tanks will be accepted.”
“My rule of thumb is anything you can recycle, recycle,” said Stefanik. “Any questions should be diverted to the Service Department at 582-3002.”