On Center
by BRENDA STEWART

So it seems I hit a nerve last week when I opened up the recycling can of worms. Folks have been calling and writing and stopping me in HEB and wondering what the heck they are supposed to do with those “Code 7s” and should they just toss the 4s and 5s as well since it takes more energy to recycle them than to make new products. So, the kind folks at Texas Disposal Systems (who are the ones picking up your recycling each week if you live in the city limits) gave me the following pointers to pass along. They say put everything marked with Codes 1 through 5 and even 7 into your bin and they will pick it up. They just won’t take the Styrofoam. No one will. Don’t buy it.

In addition to your plastic, they want your aluminum, tin and steel cans. They will pick up all of your glass bottles and jars (all colors but nothing broken and please rinse everything out). TDS will also pick up all your newspapers and inserts as well as mail, home office paper, magazines and catalogs. They won’t pick up cardboard or anything wet, so don’t put your paper out on rainy days. And don’t try to recycle it in those plastic grocery bags you are trying to justify by reusing. They won’t take it.

Actually, the best place to dump your newspapers is at Kyle Elementary School. There are several paper recycling bins located on campus with easy vehicle access and the school receives cash back with every pound recycled. Good karma on all kinds of levels.

And lastly, those cool guys down at Green Guy Recycling seem to take just about everything: all kinds of paper, cardboard, cans, every single recycling code (even 6s – not sure what they do with it but, hey), glass, metal, appliances, air conditioners, refrigerators, tires, household oil, batteries, cell phones, you name it. They draw the line at chemicals and wood and plastic pots and buckets. And no televisions or mattresses either.

And, for the most part, there is only a minimal (if any) charge but they cheerfully accept donations to help them in their environmental stewardship. This sprawling facility (in San Marcos, off Hwy. 80 behind Hobby Lobby/Tractor Supply Co., depending on your particular slant) is accessible 24/7 so there is really no reason to put much of anything in that garbage can. Start a compost pile in the backyard as well, and keep the stuff you’re kicking to the curb to a minimum. They are making it real easy on us these days.