YOUR RECYCLING GUIDE 

WHY RECYCLE?

 There are 3 R's in waste management...REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE.

 REDUCE  - You can practice reduction by selecting products that do not have to be added to landfills or the waste  stream in general.

 REUSE  - You can reuse materials in their original form instead of throwing them away, or pass those  materials on to others who could use them too.  Remember, one man's trash is another man's treasure! 

 RECYCLE  - Recycling occurs when you save and take reusable materials to places where they can be remade into either the same product or new products, rather than just toss them in the trash.  Look for a list of what your local community recycles and do your part to promote a healthy and safe environment for years to come. 

  Things to Think About When Recycling... 

• First and foremost - buy and use less. Buy only what you need and use all of what you buy.
• Avoid single serve containers whenever possible.
• think big! Buy in bulk. Packaging is expensive and wasteful. This not only reduces waste but also saves you money.
• Refuse plastic store bags. Take a reusable bag with you to the store.
• Say no to junk mail. Call toll free numbers and ask to be removed from mailing lists.
• When you use disposables like plastic cups, utensils, and food storage bags, don't throw them away. Wash and reuse them.
• Hold a yard sale or donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity.
• Try to repair broken objects rather than throwing away and buying new. You will be helping the environment and your pocketbook too! 

WHAT to Recycle in Putnam County...

 Whether you recycle at  at one of the county drop-off sites or at the new 24 hour recycle facilities, the material that can be recycled is the same.

 **Recyclable Products need to be sorted into the following categories...**  

 Paper Bin  - Cardboard/Paper  

• Magazines, catalogs, copy paper, envelopes, phone books, junk mail and newspapers. Please take out of plastic bags.  
• Flattened corrugated sheets and boxes, flattened chipboard (cake, cereal, cracker boxes), file folders, poster board, paper egg cartons, and pizza boxes. Please cut out any oil contamination in pizza boxes.   Please cut down large boxes and remove any plastic. 

  Commingled Bin - Plastic, Metal, Glass 

• Metal - All cans, aluminum, tin, lids, and aluminum foil. 
• Plastics with the number 1, 2, 4.  Examples milk jugs, 2 liter bottles, water bottles. *TIP: Not all plastic container numbers match their lids. 
• Glass - Clean food and beverage containers.  

 What Cannot Be Recycled in Putnam County... 

•  No bulk Styrofoam.
• No plastic bags.
•  Paper containers with wax or plastic coatings are not recyclable, such as pet food bags, frozen food packages and milk containers. 
•  Containers must be rinsed of food and other contaminants. 
• At this time we ask there be no paint cans, tires, televisions, or light bulbs be put into the recycling bins.  Please see our 'Resources' tab for other alterative for the disposal of these items.