Central Business District Wet-Dry Recycling
Since a lot of our trash is recyclable, separating waste into wet and dry components at the source keeps more of it out of the landfill! In a Wet Dry system, all the dry waste has the potential to be recycled as long as it's not contaminated by wet waste. No more recyclable material going to the landfill just because it was dropped in the wrong bin! Please note that the composting part of this program was cut from the city's budget in July 2019.
Definitions:
Wet Waste = Food, liquids, used paper towels and napkins, restroom trash
Dry Waste = Everything else; all dry material, recyclable or not
Special Waste = Some material should not be placed in city containers and must be handled separately. Examples include large amounts of cooking oil, furniture, paint, construction debris, and electronic devices. Please call 574-3571 if you have questions about disposal of special waste.
Non-Food-Generating Businesses
- Wet Waste must be collected in BLACK BAGS and tied closed.
- Dry Waste must be collected in CLEAR BAGS or placed loosely inside orange cart. Containers once containing food or liquid are considered Dry Waste.
- All bags and loose Dry Waste must be placed inside the orange carts as shown in the diagram.
- Collection occurs nightly in the Central Business District.
Restaurants & Coffee Shops
Businesses that generate food, such as restaurants and coffee shops, will place Dry Waste in 95-gallon orange cart(s) provided by Public Works and Wet Waste in 65-gallon black carts provided by Public Works.
- Wet Waste must be bagged and tied before being placed in 65-gallon black cart.
- Dry Waste must be collected in CLEAR BAGS or placed loosely inside orange cart. Containers once containing food or liquid are considered Dry Waste.
- If there are dining area trash containers for customers to use, and a lot of items are recyclable, a second "recycle" bin lined with a clear bag is recommended.
- Collection occurs nightly in the Central Business District.
- Restaurants using the waste corral under the 2nd Street bridge have small dumpsters for trash and an area for cardboard recycling. Contact Karen Maynard regarding this location.
What Happens Next?
- Waste from orange carts is collected by recycling trucks and all material goes to WestRock Recycling. At the facility, black bags are picked out and will go to the landfill. Dry Waste is processed and sorted; all recyclable items are recycled and non-recyclable items go to the landfill.
- Waste in black carts is collected by garbage trucks and all material goes to the landfill.
Container Requests
- Request containers through Metro311 or call 311. Food generating businesses may receive one 65-gallon garbage and one dry/recycling cart. Non-food generating businesses may receive two dry/recycling carts.
- Additional carts must be purchased.
- Call 574-3571 for more information regarding waste containers.
For more information about the Wet Dry Recycling program, contact Karen Maynard or call 574-4620.
