Lake Land College (LLC) released a statement on Aug.14, 2022 concerning the items being brought to the Recycling Center. The new rule states that users should not put items that are in plastic bags, in the bins. However, using a cardboard box or simply dumping the recyclables is acceptable. According to Kimberly Wellbaum, the facility coordinator for LLC, the bags get wrapped up in the mechanics of the sorting machine.

In instances where lots of items have been placed in plastic bags, the hauler may just place them in the garbage instead of taking the time to open each bag. Any overflow of the bins will be considered litter by the haulers and will not be picked up. While it is understandable from the haulers’ point of view for overflow to be categorized as litter, it is not the intention of those utilizing the Recycling Center.

Biological Science Instructor Jeff White encourages students to use the Recycling Center, but in the correct way and with the right items. These items would not include a treadmill, as White found once while bringing his recyclables to the center. The Recycling Center accepts plastic containers and bottles, paper, cans, cardboard and glass.

We, as users, need to do a better job of following the protocol provided by Waste Management so that we are able to continue recycling. Anyone with questions about what can and cannot be recycled can visit Waste Management’s website, https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle- right/recycling-101. The Recycling Center is located on the Lake Land College campus, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, with the items being picked up on Mon., Wed. and Fri.

Photo caption: Here’s the Recycling Center on 5001 Lake Land Blvd. They accept plastic containers and bottles, paper, cans, cardboard and glass.