Richland County SC glass recycling notes

[darkoshi]

This is an old recycling guide, dated 12/2020. It indicated glass was still accepted for curbside recycling.

This is a newer recycling guide, dated 02/2021. It does not mention glass.

This recycling guide dated 03/2021 does not include glass under the section for items accepted curbside (a noticeable difference compared to the 12/2020 version).

This SC DHEC page indicates glass bottles and jars are "ONLY accepted at the Clemson Rd Recycling Site", and not accepted curbside.

The Clemson Rd site is open:
> Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - Sunday, 9AM - 6PM
> CLOSED Monday & Wednesday

The Richland County Recycling Wizard also indicates glass isn't taken curbside but can be dropped off at the Clemson Road Recycling Site.

https://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works/Solid-Waste-Recycling/Curbside-Pick-up/Recycling
Wax or plastic coated cardboard is NOT accepted.
Chipboard boxes such as cereal boxes must be clean and dry and only have stored dry, non-refrigerated foods.

I don't understand why clean boxes from frozen foods aren't acceptable, when they don't seem to have any plastic on them. If I can tear them as easily as cereal boxes, doesn't that mean they aren't coated with plastic? That's the test I use but maybe I'm being wishful and doing it wrong. Maybe there is plastic-coated cardboard that can be torn easily which is used for frozen food boxes.

Comments

[frith]

There is no cost or gain for sorting trash, people are expected to do it for free with no policing. On a road with no speed traps, people will drive as fast as they like. It's not an American thing.

[darkoshi]

I wonder how other places manage it, who have residents separate out compostable waste and different kinds of recyclables. Checked a page about Japan wondering if they have fines; it only mentioned the trash may not be accepted if it has a recyclable bottle in it.

[frith]

If there is a cultural cost, that has to be taken into account. I'm pretty sure the recycling dump trucks can spot contaminants as they collect. The probability of getting shamed with a warning might be motivation enough in Japan. In North America, note that parents don't spank their kids in public anymore. It's all about cost.