COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia’s Solid Waste utility will immediately start collecting some recyclable materials under new guidelines.
On Tuesday, the City of Columbia announced it will start recycling some items after partnering with Federal Recycling & Waste Solutions in Jefferson City.
The new guidelines allow for customers to use the blue recycling bags for plastic bottles, plastic containers, aluminum beverage cans and metal food cans.
Mixed fibers, including cardboard and paper, will still go to the landfill. Residents should not put them in the blue bag, but can leave the materials at the curb for collection, according to the release.
Recycling was suspended in April after the recycling plant was damaged when a tornado hit the facilty. The city restarted recycling collections on April 28 but materials were taken to the landfill while the city evaluated its options.
The release states other materials, including glass, black plastic or takeout containers, styrofoam and plastic bags should not be placed in blue bags.
“Potential contamination from trash, glass and low-value plastics can damage processing equipment and reduce the overall value of recyclables, increasing the City’s recycling costs,” the release states.