Recycling

A 1-Family residence is a residential structure with one post office address.  A 2-Family structure is a residential structure with two post office addresses.  The 3-year contract was awarded to Waste Management with a fee of $3.62 per month per family with the City adding the recycling fee on the monthly water bill.

Urbana began recycling in June 2008.  All the current statistics can be found in the 2010 Recycling Report.

Recycling Program Statistics from 2011 can be found in the 2011 Recycling Report.

 

Recycle These!	Trash These!
Glass bottles & jars	Styrofoam plates & cups
Plastic bottles	Egg Cartons
Aluminum & Tin Cans	Used Paper Plates & Cups
Cardboard Boxes	Glass Plates & Dishes
Newspapers	Plastic Plates & Dishes
Magazines	Plastic Bags & Saran Wrap
Junk Mail	Food Soiled Cardboard
Paper	Waxed Cardboard

What Can I Recycle
Recycling Report as of 11-11-2008  

Lost Recycling Bins

Due to the strong winds, recycle bins have been blowing around.  If you find a lost bin and know the owner, please return it.  If you do not know where the bin belongs, the City would appreciate it if you would take the bin to the Utility Office in the Municipal Building at 205 S. Main St.

We suggest clearly labeling your recycle bin with your address.

 

Why should I recycle?

Recycling reduces the amount of waste in the landfill so that landfills last longer. This also keeps the costs of disposing of trash down. Another reason to recycle is to preserve the earth for future generations.

Where should I set my bin?

Set your bin at the street curbside, not in the alley. If you are physically unable to put your bin at the street, call 937-652-4315.

What should I do if my bin is missed?

Bins must be at the curb side by 6:00 AM. If you had your bin at the curb by 6:00 AM and it wasn't picked up, please call 937-652-4315 as soon as you realize it was missed.

Is there a list of what can be put in the bin?

Click here for a list.

What if something is left in my bin?

If something is left in your bin, it is not recyclable. Put it in the trash.

I am on City Utilities but not in the City Limits. Will I be charged for recycling?

No, you will not be charged for recycling. Neither will you have curbside recycling pickup unless you contact with a trash hauler directly.

I live in the City, but do not have City utilities. Will I be on the City curbside recycling?

Not at this time. If you wish to sign up for curb side recycling, call the City at 937-652-4315.

I live in a 1-Family or 2-Family residence and did not receive a bin. How do I get one?

Call 937-652-4315 and give us your address so we can check our records. If we missed you, we will get a bin to you. If we show that we delivered a bin to you, you might check with your neighbors. Perhaps they took the bin inside, particularly if you were gone during the week of May 19.

What if I need two bins for recycling?

We want you to have enough bins. If you previously had curbside recycling through Waste Management, you may use that bin as a second bin. If you need another bin, you may come to the Utility Office in the Municipal Building at 205 S Main to get one. For your convenience, park in the Market Street parking lot and use the Market Street entrance.

What if I lose my bin or it is damaged?

You will have to purchase another bin for $7.

What should I do with the bin when I move?

Leave the bin for the next resident. The bins are the property of the City of Urbana.

What if the previous resident did not leave the bin?

Call the 937-652-4315 for another bin. You may have to purchase the bin at an approximate cost of $7.

When and how often will recycling be collected?

Recycling will be collected every Thursday with the exception of holiday weeks. If New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas Day occurs on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, pickup will be on Friday.

When should I set out my bin?

Bins will be emptied during the Waste Management Thursday morning trash pickup. In order to be sure to be picked up, have your bin at the curbside by 6:00AM. You may set the bin out as early as 6:00PM on Wednesday, but no earlier.

Will I be charged a recycling fee when I leave?

Curbside recycling fees will be on every monthly water bill. Shut-off bills will not contain a recycling fee.

What if I leave for an extended period?

If you shut off your water, which is recommended to prevent possible leak damage while you are gone, you will not be billed for recycling. If you leave the water turned on, you will also be billed for recycling.

If you don't live in a condominium, simply call the Utilities Office at 652-4315 a few days in advance of leaving and a few days in advance of returning. If you do live in a condominium, we can't turn your water off since the turnoff is on private property. You may come in and sign an exemption certificate before leaving, and we will not bill you for water as long as there is no usage. We offer these services free of charge.

Do I need to sort my recycling?

No, Waste Management uses single stream recycling so you do not need to sort your recycling. Please rinse out containers and compact as much as possible by flattening or folding. Newspapers are best placed in the bottom of the bin so they don't fall out. Do not place them in plastic bags. If you have paper bags, place them in paper bags, or just lay them on the bottom of the bin.

Why is there an asterisk by cardboard?

Previously recyclers wanted corrugated cardboard to be flattened and bundled. Now corrugated cardboard does not need to be bundled but should be cut or torn into smaller pieces that will fit in the bottom of the bin. Like newspapers, cardboard should be laid in the bottom of the bin so that it doesn't blow away on a windy day.

What should I do with shredded paper?

Shredded paper can be recycled if placed in clear bags. Colored bags are always thrown in the trash due to safety concerns with needles, etc.

Can I recycle plastic bags?

Not through the curbside recycling. Krogers and Wal-Mart both accept plastic bags for recycling. Reusing is another option. Some charities need bags.

What type of plastic numbers can I recycle?

All numbers can be recycled, but only containers used for food or cleaning products, not containers used for paint, insecticides, pesticides, automotive products.

Can I recycle medicine bottles?

If there is a recycle triangle with a number inside, you may recycle it. In general rigid plastic is not recyclable; reuse it or throw it in the trash.

Why can't I recycle plastic lids?

Plastic lids are made from a type of plastic that no one wants to buy, and so they are not recyclable. Please discard them in the trash.

Can I recycle styrofoam?

The curbside recycling program does not accept styrofoam of any kind. There are places that recycle polystyrene, like rigid packing foam. Mailing retailers will often accept packing "peanuts".

Can I recycle canning jars?

Yes, all food jars can be recycled.

Can I recycle yard waste?

In the fall, Urbana offers free leaf pickup. At other times of the year, Urbana residents may take leaves to Urbana Materials Facility for free and brush or garden waste for a fee. Call 937-652-4715 first for hours.

Where can I recycle computers and other electronics?

TekServ, located at 1590 E US Highway 36, Urbana, 484-7800, offers free recycling of computers and most electronics.  $2 is charged for each screen or monitor.

Where can I recycle auto parts?

See the Champaign County recycling site at http://www.ncowaste.org/NCOWaste/Champaign_Recycle.html.

What should I do with paint, insecticides, etc.?

Champaign County holds a Household Hazardous Waste day each year for disposal, not recycling, of hazardous waste. If you can find another person or charity who can use your no longer wanted, but still usable paint, insecticides, etc, that would be recycling. See the North Central Ohio Solid Waste District for more information about this year's HHW day for Champaign County.

My residence is a 3-Family or 4-Family residence but I am being billed for curbside recycling. What do I do?

Please call 937-652-4315 and give us all the post office addresses for your structure. We will check into it. If your residence is not a 1-Family or 2-Family structure, we will remove recycling charges.

Why can't our church or business recycle?

Businesses, retailers, churches, etc. can contract with a trash hauler for their own recycling. It is not mandated by ordinance.

What if I live in an apartment or 3-Family residence?

Curbside recycling is mandated only for 1-Family and 2-Family residences. The City is in the process of deciding on our policy for non-mandated residences, such as triples and multi-family. We should have an answer to this question by the end of June.