October 1, 2020
It has been a few week since I have updated the community on our initiative. Now that we have some preliminary data in our efforts, I can pass along some numbers that should raise some eyebrows and put things into prospective on why it’s so important to do it right.
Before June 2020, we were at 15% or (greater) mixed contamination in our recycling stream, this number is very important, as you will see moving along. In June and July, we dropped to 10% or greater mixed.
In August, the percentage fell to 8% or (less). This is where we started to make some significant headway in removing the contamination from the stream. In three months, we cut that contamination mix in half. That in itself in an accomplishment and a testament to our residents being involved, remember It all starts with you.
In September, we removed all plastic bags from recycling collection along with only accepting the six items on our list. This is where we rounded the corner and started to make a huge impact on our numbers. So far, in September, we were just a bit over 5% contamination mixed. That is awesome!
Let me put that into prospective. So far, we have collected 283.1 tons of recycling since January 1. By the end of the year, we will have collected 408 tons, which is equivalent to 20-tractor trailer loads of material or 816,000 pounds.
Think about that for a minute, 20 semi-trailers full of recycling rolling out of Celebration. On the flip side, remember the 15% or greater that we started with before June, this result is a 10% reduction in contamination over a four month period. That is two out of the 20 semi-trailer loads of (trash) removed from the overall recycling total in 12 months. It could have been more if we started in Jan not June. Think about that.
This is why recycling correctly is a must not an option, Remember (It all starts with you) Great Job Celebration. Now let’s go after 3% or less.
- Ken Lee
Celebration Sanitation Services