The City of Madison has a new recycling program. Madison residents can now bring many previously unrecycled plastic items to the City's two full service drop off sites for recycling. These items, called Mixed Rigid Plastics include;
Empty garbage cans
Plastic Toys
Plastic buckets
Plastic milk/soda crates
Plastic laundry baskets
Plastic lawn furniture
Plastic landscape trays
Plastic totes
Plastic drums
Plastic pet carriers
Plastic pallets
Plastic coolers
Plastic shelving
Plastic closet organizers
Plastic dish drainers
Plastic flower pots
Plastic traffic signs
Plastic waste baskets
5-gallon water bottles

"When we were researching markets for plastic trash cans our recycling partner Waste Management/Recycling America Alliance came to us with a proposal to take more than just the old cans," Madison recycling coordinator George Dreckmann said. "When we were assured of strong markets for these materials we were happy to develop a new program to take advantage of the opportunity."
" We cannot accept these plastics in our green recycling carts," Dreckmann said. "Residents who want to recycle these items will have to bring them into our drop off sites."
The drop off locations that will accept the rigid plastic for recycling are;
East 4602 Sycamore Av.
West 1501 W. Badger Rd.

The sites are currently open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. They are also open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 8 p.m. These hours will remain in effect through Sunday December 2nd.
"It will be important for residents to remove all metal axles, handles, and wires from plastic items before bringing them in for recycling," Dreckmann said. "Batteries should also be removed from any plastic toys."
There are some plastic items that cannot be recycled in this program including;

PVC Pipe/Tubing
Vinyl Siding
Plastic Film (Grocery bags & Stretch film)
Styrofoam
Water Hoses
Hazardous Material
Medical Waste
Chemical and Petroleum Barrels
Pesticide and Herbicide Containers

The program is only for City of Madison residents. Complete information on program is on the Streets Division's web site www.cityofmadison.com/streets. Residents with questions can contact the recycling office at 267-2626.