Radford no longer accepts plastics #3-#7, Styrofoam or plastic bags, as of June 1 at the recycling drop centers located on Seventeenth Street and 200 George St.
The recycling changes come from the Chinese market issuing a ban on the import of 24 types of solid waste, which is affecting recycling nationwide. Currently China takes 35 percent of United State recyclables, but there is a 25 percent contamination rate in these products.
Chinese officials are requiring there to be a contamination rate of only .5 percent on recycled materials imported into China. Standardized signs on the bins will communicate which materials will no longer be accepted.
Questions regarding the changes can be directed to Public Works at 540-731-3605.
The Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority has guide lines for the city’s recycling that must be followed.
There are some changes the city will be making to comply with the new regulations that MRSWA is implementing.
Below is a list of acceptable/unacceptable items for the City’s Recycling Program. The changes took effect June 1.
Items that will no longer be accepted in single stream recycling:
• Telephone Books
• Shredded Paper
• Plastics #3 thru #7
• Pet Food Cans
• Plastic Bags
• Styrofoam
Recyclable Items
• Cardboard
• Newspaper
• Magazines
• Mixed paper
• Cereal and snack boxes
• Girt/Snack boxes (boxboard)
• Junk mail
• Glass bottles and jars containers- brown/clear/green
• PET # 1 plastic bottles, jugs and food containers
• HDPE # 2 plastic bottles, jugs and food containers
• Aluminum beverage cans
• Tin/steel cans
For questions call (540) 731-3605 option #2.