Recycling is up six percent and climbing at Regional Waste Systems, the result of a shift to two-stream recycling and an aggressive effort to attract recycled materials.

Residents are asked to watch for new signage that has been installed this summer on the familiar silver drop-off recycling containers that helps explain the two-stream system. The containers also are being retrofitted and repainted.

Increased recycling levels translates into reduced costs to communities since less trash needs to be thrown away. Also, RWS is increasing revenues by selling the recycled materials on the open market, further reducing the financial burden on member communities.

“Everyone here is excited about the increase in recycling to 21,500 tons for the last fiscal year, and we are well on our way to reaching our goal of 25,000 tons this year,” said Kevin Roche, the RWS general manager. “The bottom line is that recycling is good for the environment, good for RWS and good for taxpayers in our member communities.”

RWS recently shifted from three-stream recycling to two-stream, which allows paper materials to be mixed together. With less separation required, more residents already are getting involved, both in curbside collection programs in some communities and at the more than 100 drop off containers found in 60 locations throughout southern Maine.

The new signs detail what materials are allowed in the drop-off containers, separated into two sections labeled Paper and Containers.

Permitted paper materials include mail, office paper, magazines, catalogs, milk cartons, boxes, newspapers, inserts, phone books, paper bags, juice cartons and cardboard.

Materials permitted in the ‘Containers’ section include #1 plastics (water bottles and soda bottles); #2 plastics (detergent, bleach bottles and milk jugs); clear and colored glass; metal cans; aluminum foil, trays and cans; and empty aerosol cans.

All containers must be empty, and plastic containers should be flattened or crushed if possible. Also, no garbage, plastic bags or needles are allowed in either section.

Recycling is up six percent and climbing at Regional Waste Systems, the result of a shift to two-stream recycling and an aggressive effort to attract recycled materials.

Residents are asked to watch for new signage that has been installed this summer on the familiar silver drop-off recycling containers that helps explain the two-stream system. The containers also are being retrofitted and repainted.

Increased recycling levels translates into reduced costs to communities since less trash needs to be thrown away. Also, RWS is increasing revenues by selling the recycled materials on the open market, further reducing the financial burden on member communities.

“Everyone here is excited about the increase in recycling to 21,500 tons for the last fiscal year, and we are well on our way to reaching our goal of 25,000 tons this year,” said Kevin Roche, the RWS general manager. “The bottom line is that recycling is good for the environment, good for RWS and good for taxpayers in our member communities.”

RWS recently shifted from three-stream recycling to two-stream, which allows paper materials to be mixed together. With less separation required, more residents already are getting involved, both in curbside collection programs in some communities and at the more than 100 drop off containers found in 60 locations throughout southern Maine.

The new signs detail what materials are allowed in the drop-off containers, separated into two sections labeled Paper and Containers.

Permitted paper materials include mail, office paper, magazines, catalogs, milk cartons, boxes, newspapers, inserts, phone books, paper bags, juice cartons and cardboard.

Materials permitted in the ‘Containers’ section include #1 plastics (water bottles and soda bottles); #2 plastics (detergent, bleach bottles and milk jugs); clear and colored glass; metal cans; aluminum foil, trays and cans; and empty aerosol cans.

All containers must be empty, and plastic containers should be flattened or crushed if possible. Also, no garbage, plastic bags or needles are allowed in either section.