Recycling drop-off locations?

Submitted by thegreatfrontholio t3_10ak9f0 in providence

I recently moved to an apartment complex in North Providence and learned that the complex does not have recycling available and that we are just supposed to throw it all into the dumpster. This isn't in keeping with my principles, so I would like to take my recycling to a drop-off point. Does anyone have any information about where I can take it? I have tried calling the number for North Providence's recycling coordinator, but nobody ever picks up or calls me back so I am looking for other possible leads. Thanks in advance!

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the_falconator t1_j450bci wrote

No matter what color bin you throw it in it's likely to end up in a landfill anyways. China has slowed down on buying our bulk recycling.

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/03/china-has-stopped-accepting-our-trash/584131/

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RandomChurn t1_j45u07y wrote

I was walking my dog one recent morning at about the same pace as the garbage (non-recyclables) truck was picking up. And at several stops, the guy riding on the back also dumped the contents of the blue bins into the garbage truck. Must admit I was shocked 😣

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AuditorFodder t1_j44ty8n wrote

A lot of towns have recycling drop-offs at the town DPW. I can’t find any reference to that for NP - maybe being so close they just assume folks will drive to RIRRC?

The small vehicle area can handle recycling drop off for RI residents.

https://www.rirrc.org/about/operations/small-vehicle-area-for-special-bulky-item-drop-off

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nygrl811 t1_j4h7vht wrote

Gone many times with large cardboard. It's maybe 15-20 mins from NP.

Town does offer recycling but getting through to town hall can be difficult. Better to actually go there.

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grem111 t1_j44ub81 wrote

I would try calling the main city hall number if you haven't already to try and force the complex to get bins. Given the city says they don't collect trash from residences without recycling bins that'd get your landlord to shape up quick, if you were ever able to get through to someone. Idk how much effort you want to go to but you could always try showing up in person, sometimes that's the only way that works https://northprovidenceri.gov/public-works/recycling-refuse/total-participation-recycling-program/

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the_falconator t1_j4529kr wrote

If they live in an apartment complex it's probably not town trash pickup, it's a private contract. I know in Providence the city only provides trash pickup to buildings up to 3 (or 4 maybe) units in size.

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shotgun_riding t1_j454g3o wrote

This is correct. In most municipalities, anything over 4 units falls outside of the city or town’s responsibility to collect trash and recycling.

That being said, they are required by law to contract with a recycling company. If they don’t offer this option to you, they are in violation. You can call DEM to report it. I’d also call the town as suggested.

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grem111 t1_j46p1wy wrote

Huh the more you know. Thank you both for enlightening me!

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MonicaPVD t1_j44td9l wrote

Drive a few blocks into your bordering Providence neighborhood on trash day and leave your recycling in a random green can at some house. Providence residents are terrible at recycling, so there will be plenty of room in there.

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Status_Silver_5114 t1_j459dbo wrote

Fyi most PVD (although not all) recycling cans have a BLUE top dating to the original retrofit when they introduced single stream recycling. And since most houses have one can I’d disagree there’ll be a lot of room. Multi fam houses have more cans since it’s 1 can per unit but there’s no guarantee they’ll be curbside unless there’s something in it if not already largely filled. . FYI Rhode Island doesn’t recycle glass anymore so don’t bother with that. So not a perfect plan but better than chucking it all in the garbage. Most of the green bins are just garbage and defeat the point of the drive/time/effort from nP.

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RandomChurn t1_j45u803 wrote

>FYI Rhode Island doesn’t recycle glass anymore so don’t bother with that

Wow! First I've heard of this ... so I shouldn't put glass in recycling anymore? Not that much comes in glass anymore 😣

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Status_Silver_5114 t1_j45vnsh wrote

They weren’t before Covid but they said still put it in with recyclables because something about using the broken glass for something else? I’ll find the story. And the whole recycling market has bottomed out for lack of buyers and also because the whole plastics industry has fooled us into thinking most plastics can be recycled (most still can’t) but it’s better than nothing?https://ecori.org/2018-4-8-glass-recycling-still-a-problem-in-ri-and-region/

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RandomChurn t1_j4649m5 wrote

Thank you so much: really kind of you to track down that link 👍

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