UKIAH – A new materials recovery facility, or MRF (pronounced “murf”) has begun operations in Ukiah. The facility sorts and bales recyclable materials for shipment to recycling markets where they are processed into recycled products, such as paper, cardboard and containers for consumer products.

In order for the MRF to operate efficiently, produce saleable products and receive landfill diversion credit as required by the State of California, recyclables received at the facility must be clean and uncontaminated with garbage.

Acceptable items include clean newspaper, office paper and non-waxed paper products, cereal boxes, milk cartons, milk and water jugs, plastic beverage containers, glass food and beverage containers, aluminum and tin cans, and plastics labeled with a one through seven on the bottom of the container.

Rigid plastics, such as plastic buckets and laundry baskets are acceptable, however they must fit loosely in the cart with the lid closed.

There should be absolutely no food waste placed in recycle carts. Food containers should be empty or rinsed of residual food waste. Recyclables should be placed loosely in the blue cart and should not be bagged. Contaminated recyclables are treated as garbage and must be sent to the landfill.

The MRF is owned and operated by Pacific Recycling Solutions (PRS), an affiliate of C and S Waste Solutions of California, based in Ukiah. The facility is used by commercial recycling haulers only and is not open to the public, however tours will be offered to school and other groups beginning in late spring.

Pacific Recycling Solutions and its affiliates, Ukiah Waste Solutions, Lake County Waste Solutions and Clearlake Waste Solutions are initiating an aggressive campaign to clean up recyclables and are asking all its customers to recycle responsibly.

The campaign will include the distribution of educational materials, presentations to school and civic groups, curbside cart audits, non-collection of contaminated carts, and ultimately additional charges to customers who continue to place contaminated materials in their recycling carts.

Information regarding what can be placed in recycling receptacles can be found at www.candswaste.com or by calling 234-6400.

To request a presentation to your classroom or organization, contact Julie Price at 234-6423.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}