As reported here on Locally Grown back in this April discussion thread, single sort recycling (AKA single-stream or co-mingled recycling) is arriving for Northfield. The containers arrived on my street (Heritage Drive) yesterday.
See the recycling page on the Rice County web site. New items now included:
Cardboard and food boxes (non-refrigerated). Items like cereal, pop, food boxes, etc., please flatten both types out before recycling.
NYTimes: Back at Junk Value, Recyclables Are Piling Up
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/08/business/08recycle.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=recycling&st=cse
I wonder if this will affect the viability of our mixed-stream recycling? As I understand it, the mixed stream has the advantage of improving participation and volume, but the disadvantage of further decreasing the value of the recyclables gathered.
So, supply and demand affects pretty much everything in this world? Next thing, we’ll have to consider government subsidies if the processing costs exceed the return on the recyclables. Personally, I really enjoy being able to put all my recyclables into one bin without worrying about getting things mixed up. And, I think greater participation in this program is the goal.
[...] is on the City of Northfield’s garbage and recycling page. You wouldn’t know that we’ve changed to single-sort recycling by reading that page either. [...]