OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Town officials say the rate of contamination in recycling is less than anticipated.

Like many municipalities in the area, Old Orchard Beach contracts with Ecomaine to process its recyclable materials. Recyclables are picked up weekly at homes, and those who live in apartment or condominium buildings or mobile home parks can drop off recycling at the “silver bullet” receptacles across from the town’s public works garage.

Ecomaine was once receiving $100 a ton to send its recyclable materials to oversees markets, but because of a change in recycling market conditions, Ecomaine must now pay $60 a ton to send recyclable to these same places.

A few months ago, Ecomaine announced in a press release that the company may fine municipalities who have more than 5 percent of non-recyclable material in their recycling stream up to $70.50 per ton.

In response, the town has amped up its educational outreach on recycling, posting information online and at Town Hall. Information on recycling has been posted at the town’s recycling receptacles, where cameras have been placed to help the town identify who is putting trash in the “silver bullet” recycling receptacles, said Town Manager Larry Mead at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting.

Mead said that Casella, the waste collector contracted with the town, has been “actively screening” recycling bins, and some bins with higher percentages of unacceptable materials have been tagged.

He said recent efforts to decrease unwanted items in recycling have paid off.

“I want to thank those residents who are helping by paying attention to what they put in their recycling bins,” said Mead.

For many years, the town was able to dispose of recycling for free. Now, the cost fluctuates from $35 to $70.50 per ton, depending on the level of contamination, said Finance Director Diana Asanza. The town budgeted in the current fiscal year $50,000 for recycling fees, in anticipation that there would be some contamination.

Asanza said the town has received recycling bills for  May and June, and numbers came in lower than what the town expected. The bill for May was about $1700, and the bill for June was about $1500.

Common contaminants include paper towels, Styrofoam cups and plastic bags, items that some people think might be recyclable, but definitely are not.

Ecomaine spokesman Matt Grondin cautions against the practice of “wish cycling,” or throwing questionable items, such as the ones listed above, in the recycling bin.

Grondin said if in doubt, consult Ecomaine’s “recyclopedia,” a searchable directory available on Ecomaine’s website or as an app.

Asanza said it can be confusing regarding what can or can not go in recycling bins, and she’s hoping with continued educational efforts, the contamination rate will get lower.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.