Wash, SORT, Repeat.

Salem residents are really getting into the swing of recycling every week, and trust us, we love to see your bins out and full of wonderful paper and containers. Speaking of other things we love to see - thanks for your phenomenal turnout at the Book Swap on March 15th – over 700 people!

But folks, we’ve got to get a little nitty gritty and talk about SORTING!

In this blog post, I plan to show some pictures of what is good recycling and what is bad recycling. Some of these pictures and ideas are available on the page What Goes Where as well.

There’s some work to be done in this city yet. We love that you are all recycling – but it’s not enough just to toss the stuff out on the curb, even if all the material in the bin can be recycled.

We’re not pointing fingers, but from walks around the city, well – there're some problems out there. Let’s direct your attention to some pictures our eagle-eyed scouts have taken of some mixed up bins.  Check out the photos accompanying this article - and read the captions.

Never bag your recycling in PLASTIC bags. Seriously. Never.

Those bags snag in machinery at the recycling plant, then everything comes to a halt!

You can’t recycle plastic bags at the curb – you can only do it at grocery stores (and a big congrats to one of our newest plastic bag recyclers – Steve’s Quality Market).

The hardest thing about sorting – knowing what goes in the bin in the first place. If you have any questions about what can be recycled at the curb, or need a quick refresher – look at this list on the Salem.com website.

You can also check out the SalemRecycles Facebook page where we will answer any questions.

Notice your neighbor needs some help figuring these things out? Could you be an honorary SalemRecycles member and help us kindly spread the word about sorting? Gently remind friends and family that Sorting Matters! 

Curious about why we sort our containers (plastics, metals, glass) from paper? Stay tuned for our next post!


Beth Melillo is a member of the SalemRecycles Committee. Beth is an MS candidate at Salem State University in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology program. She is interested in sustainable business and development. You can often find her running at Forest River Park or checking out books about upcycling from the Salem Public Library.