Hamtramck’s recycling program enters new cycle

By Ian Perrotta

Despite cold temperatures, high winds and some rainy weather, the first day of the spring and summer recycling season kicked off to a great start.

Dozens of residents stopped by the city parking lot on Caniff and McDougall to drop off a host of recyclable goods that included all sorts of paper, plastic and glass products.

“We’ve had a pretty good turnout,” said Richard Sparks, a former member of the city’s Recycling Commission who was overseeing the event. “Even though we’re doing it on a different day, people are still coming out.”

Recycling day is now held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month in the city parking lot on Caniff.

Here’s a list of what can be recycled:
o Cardboard and paper bags (no wax-coated cardboard)
o Paperboard (no wax-coated paperboard)
o Magazine and catalogs (any size)
o Junk mail (envelopes, flyers, brochures, postcards, etc.)
o Office paper (all types and sizes)
o Phone books (all types and sizes)
o Newspaper (remove bag strings and rubber bands)
o Pots and pans (kitchen cookware)
o Steel and tin cans (empty cans only)
o Clear glass (empty, clear glass only)
o Aluminum cans (empty cans only)
o Plastic jugs and bottles (#1 and #2)
o Household plastic (#3-#7, empty containers only)
o Plastic bags (most retail and grocery bags)

Here’s what is not acceptable:
o Paper milk or juice cartons
o Styrofoam containers and packing
o Garbage
o Propone tanks
o Paint cans
o Colored glass
o Medical waste
o Flammable liquids
o Household cleaners
o Chemicals (dry or liquid)
o Wood items