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Recycling Guide Where to Recycle www.OtsegoRecycling.org www.OtsegoRecycling.org I would like to thank the citizens of Otsego County for the ongoing commitment they have shown by their support for recycling and our local environment. Additionally, I commend the volunteers who have given their time to participate in this process by serving on the Otsego County Recycling Committee or by promoting recycling throughout our community. In November 2012, the residents of Otsego County passed a 3-year .25 mill millage for a county-wide recycling drop-off program. The Recycling Committee, established and chaired by Otsego County Commissioner Paul Beachnau, spent over four years studying the best way to establish a comprehensive program for our citizens. The Committee ultimately recommended the millage as the best option for the County. The millage, which costs the average household $15.29 per year, has allowed for the establishment of five drop-off recycling bin locations around the County. If a household switches from paying for trash cart pickup to a pay-per-bag type program, along with recycling, they can potentially save between 23% and 66% on their trash removal bill. After a public bid process, Otsego County awarded the 3-year contract for processing and hauling of recyclable materials to the County of Emmet, which has a long track record in providing valuable recycling services to communities throughout northern Michigan. Emmet County provides dual-stream recycling with the separation of materials into two categories including Mixed Containers, and Paper, Boxes and Bags. Emmet County sells the collected materials to local markets, and then shares the profits with its partners to help keep the cost of recycling down. As part of its recycling program, Otsego County intends to offer an annual Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off event. Please visit www.OtsegoRecycling.org for more information on the HHW event or for other information concerning Otsego County’s recycling program. Otsego County has partnered with the Otsego Conservation District to promote the recycling program, and to organize volunteers to monitor and provide education at the recycling drop-off locations. If you want to find out how to volunteer or to report problems with the drop-off sites, please contact the Otsego Conservation District at (989) 732-4021. Otsego County Administrator, John Burt Recycling Guide Bin Locations These bin locations are open 24/7 and accept Paper, Boxes and Bags and Containers. For a map showing the locations visit www.otsegorecycling.org Otsego Recycling North 621 Garfield Street in Vanderbilt, MI Northeast of the Vanderbilt Village Hall and the intersection of Garfield Street and Elm Street Otsego Recycling Central 931 S. Otsego Avenue in Gaylord, MI Near the Gaylord Discovery Center Otsego Recycling South 247 Old State Road across from the Otsego Lake Township Cemetery north of Waters, MI Half-mile east of the intersection of Old 27 South and Old State Road Otsego Recycling East 2932 Rock Road, Johannesburg, MI at the Charlton-Chester-Dover Transfer Station near the corner of M-32 East and Rock Road Otsego Recycling West 71 Hayes Tower Road west of Gaylord, MI Immediately south of the Hayes Township Hall 550’ south of the intersection of M-32 West and Hayes Tower Road This newsletter is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Otsego County Building I 225 W Main I Gaylord, MI 49735 I [PHONE REDACTED] I www.OtsegoRecycling.org L to R: Jack Marlette Julie Marlette Karen Howell Justin Burchett Erica Wescoat-Large Richard Sumerix Otsego County’s Recycling Drop-off Program Otsego County’s Recycling Drop-off Program ---PAGE BREAK--- Office paper • Junk mail and envelopes • Copy paper, writing paper, and file folders • Shredded paper, too Please put it in a transparent bag. • Plastic envelopes can go in with your plastic bags • NO construction paper or dark or bright copy paper • NO padded envelopes Tere’s no need to remove • rubber bands • paper clips • stickers Plastic grocery and bread bags • Stretchy bags only • Clean, dry bags only • Plastic envelopes and bubble wrap and air pillow packing materials are okay. (Popped is preferred!) • Shrink wrap—like around rolls of paper towels and cases of water bottles—is okay. • NO cling wrap (used to wrap food and cover dishes) • NO cereal box liners • NO “crunchy” plastics— cellophane, pretzel bags, potato chip bags, etc. 1. Mixed Containers Juice boxes, milk cartons and paper cups • Please rinse and flatten. • NO juice pouches or straws Plastic bottles, jugs and jars • All numbers: and #7 • NO Styrofoam • NO motor oil jugs • Please rinse and flatten. Tere’s no need to remove labels. • NO toys, oversized containers, or durable dishes • NO “biodegradable” or corn-based plastics (PLA) • NO plastic bags. They belong with your Paper, Boxes and Bags. Plastic tubs, trays and cups • All numbers: and #7 • NO Styrofoam • Please rinse and flatten. Tere’s no need to remove labels. • NO durable dishes or oversized containers • NO “biodegradable” or corn-based plastics (PLA) • NO plastic bags. They belong with your Paper, Boxes and Bags. • NO plant container plastics. Tey can be recycled at the Emmet County Recycling Drop-off Facility and many stores. Cardboard and paper bags • Boxes from frozen and refrigerated foods are okay. • Boxboard—like cereal boxes and paper towel cores— is okay. • Please remove packing materials and flatten. • Bubblewrap and air pillow packing materials are okay. Popped is preferred! • NO Styrofoam • NO pet food bags • NO loose plastic bags. Please stuff all plastic bags into one bag and tie it shut. Newspapers and inserts • NO newspapers which have gotten wet and/or yellowed Magazines, catalogs and books • Hardcover, paperback, and phone books are okay. Metal cans, foil and trays • Metal lids are okay. • Aluminum, steel and tin • Please rinse and flatten. • NO aerosol cans or propane tanks Glass bottles and jars • Clear, green, brown, and blue • Please rinse. Tere’s no need to remove labels. • NO light bulbs, window glass, or glass dishes 2. Paper, Boxes and Bags Still not sure if it’s recyclable? Visit us at www.OtsegoRecycling.org or call [PHONE REDACTED] Otsego Conservation District 800 Livingston Blvd, Suite 4-A Gaylord, MI 49735 Stuff all of your plastic bags into one bag and tie it shut. BAG YOUR BAGS Thank you for separating your recyclables! Separating results in quality recycled commodities that are sought after by Michigan factories and that sell for more, returning revenue to the program. • mailing labels • staples • tape Dual-stream recycling means 2 handy bins: • plastic windows from envelopes • sticky notes