Recyclable Items: Single-Stream Recycling Dos and Do Nots

August 20, 2015

Single-stream recycling is one of the easiest ways for families to recycle. Novak Sanitary Service provides residential recycling at no additional cost for customers who have residential garbage service. With our EnviroPerks program, customers can actually earn rewards by recycling. Single-stream recycling is very simple. We provide a bin, and your family places recyclables in the bin. While most items may be recyclable, some items might not necessarily be fit for single-stream recycling (i.e. to-go containers, electronics, scrap metal etc.) and should be taken to a place that’s certified for the proper disposal of those recyclable items.

1. Items may injure employees who work with recycled materials
2. Items cause mechanical problems
3. Items are not recyclable items
4. Items require other handling for disposal or recycling (i.e. household hazardous waste, e-waste)
5. Stable recycling markets do not exist for these items in this area

The single-stream recycling process makes it easier for residents to recycle the common household items that have recycling value. These are the items that can be safely combined and sorted and still maintain their value through the collection and sorting process. We’ve broken down the groups of items that do not go in the single-stream recycling bin (even though they may still be recyclable items) and give you some advice on how to properly dispose of them.

Items to take to Hazardous Waste Site

Household Hazardous Waste items are not accepted in our single-stream recycling bins because they pose a potential harm to employees, are not all recyclable, and each require specific methods of proper disposal. Household hazardous waste contains discarded, unused, or leftover portions of household products containing toxic chemicals. These wastes CANNOT be disposed of in regular garbage. Any product which is labeled WARNING, CAUTION, POISONOUS, TOXIC, FLAMMABLE, CORROSIVE, REACTIVE or EXPLOSIVE should be considered hazardous. Novak Sanitary Service does accept empty aerosol cans in our single-stream recycling bins. However, the following items should be taken to

Household hazardous waste includes the following items:

• Automotive fluids
• Batteries
• Cleaners
• Electronics
• Herbicides
• Paints
• Pesticides
• Stains
• Varnishes

Items to Recycle Elsewhere

One of the reasons the single-stream recycling process works so well is because it’s so efficient. The process can only be efficient when the proper recyclable items are placed in the stream. However, there are still many household items that can be safely recycled and doing so can help reduce the amount of waste your household produces. If all else fails, donating unused items is also a great way to reduce your waste while giving back to the community.

Books, CDs, DVDs

Many of these items can be donated. In fact, the Sioux Falls Library accepts children’s and teen books, DVDs, music CDs and books on CD. They accept books for adults that are published within the last two years, and the donations need to be in good condition and brought to the Main Library.   

If your books, CDs, or DVDs don’t meet the donation criteria but are in good condition, you can still recycle them properly.

• Paperback books can go into the single-stream recycling bin and are processed just like paper.
• Hardcovers can be taken to Millennium Recycling. Millennium Recycling accepts hardcovers in any quantity in their office for free.
• CDs and DVDs can be recycled at Best Buy

Clothing & Shoes can be donated or put in the trash.

Electronics can be recycled at Bargain Bytes (605-275-0400) or Sioux Falls Hazardous Waste (605-367-8695). Items like hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons can be recycled at Best Buy

Eye glasses – Donate to Lions Club

Items Requiring Special Disposal

Home-generated needles, syringes and lancets can be taken to the Sharps Program, which is a sponsored program by the Environmental Division of The Sioux Falls Public Works that provides free disposal containers at certain locations around Sioux Falls. Simply pick up a container at one of these locations and, once the container is full, return it to the location for a new container.

Items to put in the Trash

• 6-Pack plastic holders
• Ceramics, non-container glass, like dishes
• Clothing
• Diapers
• Fast Food and To-Go food containers
• Food
• Food or grease-soiled paperboard or cardboard
• Garden/yard hoses
• Metal lids from beer and soda bottles
• Napkins, paper towels, toilet paper
• Mirrors
• Packing Peanuts
• Plant containers and pots
• Plastic lids less than 3 inches in diameter (To prevent plastic caps from falling through the equipment, you can put them back on the container, just make sure the container itself is clean of liquid or food residue. That will give them a better chance of making it through the process.)
• Shoes
• Styrofoam cups, bowls, plates, egg cartons, packing materials
• Toys
• Window blinds
• Window Glass
• Wood

Novak Sanitary Service is proud to offer single-stream recycling services to our customers. Single-stream recycling is a great way for households to reduce waste and help the environment, while easily disposing of recyclable items. With Novak’s EnviroPerks program, you can even earn rewards for recycling. 

Last Modified: 01/29/2021 2:19:53 pm MST

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