RWS Reports That Recycling Rose 5.8 Percent in 2004

Recycling increased 5.8 percent last year at Regional Waste Systems, a trash-disposal agency operated by 21 southern Maine communities.

One reason for the increase is a recent shift from three-stream to two-stream recycling, which allows various papers to be mixed, shortens the recycling process and saves money on trash disposal.

Kevin Roche, RWS general manager, said recycling increased from 19,596 to 20,734 tons during the fiscal year that ended June 30, pushing RWS toward its 25,000-ton goal and an overall 7.5 percent increase by next June.

To promote the two-stream system, RWS posted new signs on the familiar silver recycling drop-off containers, 30 of which were painted this summer by students in Portland West’s Youth Building Alternatives program.

Recyclable paper includes mail, office paper, magazines, catalogs, milk cartons, boxes, newspapers, inserts, telephone directories, paper bags, juice cartons and cardboard.

Recyclable containers include No. 1 plastics (water and soda bottles); No. 2 plastics (detergent, bleach and milk jugs); clear and colored glass; metal cans; aluminum foil, trays and cans; and empty aerosol cans.