Proper Recycling for Earth Day

As we approach Earth Day on April 22, we are reminded that our individual actions can make a significant difference. Bob Hill of Ramona Disposal is here to empower us with some tips to help make our world and our town a better, cleaner place. For a comprehensive guide, he suggests visiting the Ramona Disposal website, where you can find informative videos on proper recycling and a “What Goes Where” search function. In the meantime, here are some key tips. 

We may think we are doing the right thing by throwing certain items into our blue bins, but some big recycling mistakes are occurring on a daily basis. Bob says one of the biggest issues is people throwing their plastic bags into their recycling bins. “All plastic bags are a no-go for the blue recycle bins. Plastic bags are the number one contaminant in the blue recycle carts by weight.” Considering how light the bags are, this shows how many get improperly thrown away. So what actions can be taken? Bob says stores like Walmart, Target, Lowes and Home Depot have resources set up to take these bags back. There are also other items, such as plastic pots and CFL bulbs, that stores such as Lowes have special bins for. So do your homework to ensure you are a recycler rather than a “wishcycler”. 

Another item that should never go into the blue bins is batteries. “Batteries cause fires in the blue recycling bin. They’ve even burnt down facilities before, just from a single battery. If you have batteries and want to dispose of them correctly, bring them to Ramona Disposal, where they will be properly handled and not end up in the landfill.” Electronic waste should also be brought in to be disposed of. “Anything with a cord can be considered electronic waste.” 

Items like needles, also called “sharps,” need to be handled and disposed of accordingly. “Sharps should never be placed in the trashcan, even if people put them in a sealed container. Ramona Disposal offers a free sharps collection program. People just have to bring them in, in a sealed container, and Ramona Disposal will take care of the items properly, which will also ensure they don’t end up injuring someone.” 

Click on this link for a complete list of how and where to dispose of special items. It has helpful information on what to do with everything from paint and cooking oil to thermometers and printers. 



Ramona Disposal also offers free mulch to Ramona residents. “All you have to do is call Ramona Disposal, set up a day and a time to go there, and they will get it set up to be taken.” This program started recently and is a great way to help mend the soil, keep weeds down and reduce water use.

Thank you to our hardworking Ramona Disposal team for everything they do. This Earth Day, let’s show our appreciation for their efforts by doing our part to ensure we are correctly disposing of our trash and recycling.