Most people have heard of recycling, but do not really know what can be recycled or how to recycle properly. Recycling is the separation of materials, such as plastic, metal, paper, cardboard, and glass from garbage and diverting it from going into the landfill to a facility that can repurpose it for reuse. Diverting recyclable materials is important because it lowers the amount of waste put into landfills; therefore, extending the expected life of a landfill, lowering our negative environmental impact.

In Turlock, residents are given a BLUE cart for co-mingled recycables. This mean that all recycable waste (made of materials mentioned above) are to be tossed in the blue cart, unbagged. If an unaccepted item is thrown away in the blue cart, then the entire load is considered contaminated and must be taken to the landfill.   

Contamination is the biggest hurdle recycling programs are facing today. Items such as greased soaked cardboard, plastic bags, and paint cans are being tossed into the recycling bin, causing the whole load to be taken to the landfill instead of getting recycled. 

Some common items that are NOT accepted in the blue cart are: styrofoam, window glass and mirrors, electronics, batteries, light bulbs, motor oil and chemical containers, plastic bags, ceramics, dishes, food waste, yard waste and scrap metal. 

For more information on what can and cannot be recycled, visit https://www.wm.com/us/en/inside-wm/recycle-right/recycling-101

For questions or additional information, please contact Municipal Services at (209) 668-5590 or visit the City of Turlock website at: www.CityofTurlock.org. Brought to you by the City of Turlock Municipal Services Department.

CONSERVATION TIP

Contact Turlock’s waste hauler, Turlock Scavenger, to sign up for recycling services today: Turlock Scavenger 1200 S. Walnut Road Turlock, CA 95380 (209) 668-7274.