Why Yes, That IS Recyclable

Students have officially made their return to College Park, and the heaps of discarded boxes, red cups and IKEA shopping bags that line the streets show it.

But before throwing another wad of plastic bags in the trash, take heed - this summer, the City of College Park added a handful of items to its curbside recycling program.

Aluminum foil and single-use baking pans, as well as juice and milk cartons, can now go in that blue bin. Plastic bags and cling film, along with shredded paper have also been added to the list, provided that they are contained in one tightly tied bag, says the city's newly revamped recycling website.

College Park's recycling coordinator Stacey King said the additions to the list are a result of the city having switched to a different recycling processor.

"It was an economical switch, as well as beneficial for the sake of collecting more things," she said.

Avid recyclers are especially appreciative for the addition of plastic bags.

"Residents have called to say  'You mean I don't have to take my shopping bag back to the grocery store anymore?'" King said. "It's been a huge increase in convenience for them."

College Park's recycling program is single-stream, meaning that everything can be tossed into the same can, making it particularly easy for residents to recycle. The contents are sorted once they reach the processing facility.

The site does note, however, that packing materials such as bubble wrap and foam peanuts are still considered trash. Six pack rings, SCUBA tanks, and dirt are also prohibited.