Single Stream Recycling Public Service Announcement (90 seconds)
The City of Oshkosh is excited to introduce Single Stream Recycling to the City this fall. The program is designed to make recycling easier and more cost effective for both residents and the City.
The program is scheduled to start on October 5th 2009 for Route A residents and on October 12th for Route B residents (see Recycling Collection Areas/Routes document below for route information). At that point, residential customers will no longer have to buy blue recycling bags. In fact, recycling will require no bags at all. Residents will place all their current recyclables (cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, aluminum cans and tin cans) in one recycling cart.
Residents will no longer have to remember if it’s a blue bag week or a paper week. All recyclables will be picked up every other week. By switching to single stream recycling, all your recyclables will be collected by an automated or semi-automated vehicle.
Your participation is important as we work to make this program successful. National statistics indicate Single Stream Recycling:
- makes recycling easier for residents;
- increases consumer recycling;
- decreases trash tonnage and disposal costs.
Examples of the blue 64 gallon wheeled recycling carts and the blue 96 gallon wheeled recycling carts will be on display at the Oshkosh Senior Center, the Oshkosh Public Library and, City Hall lobby Monday – Friday during normal business hours.
Together we can reduce our sanitation costs and increase consumer recycling. Please check this web page often for the most updated information on the Single Stream Recycling program. Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep Oshkosh a clean community.
Delivery of Recycling Carts started Monday, September 21
2009-2010 Single Stream Recycling Calendar
Recycling Collection Areas/Routes
What should I do on my recycling day?
Application for Recycling Exemption Service Program
Press Release: Single Stream Recycling
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Single Stream Recycling?
A. Single stream recycling refers to a system in which all paper fibers and containers are mixed together in a collection truck, instead of being sorted into separate commodities (newspaper, cardboard, plastic, glass, etc.). Single Stream Recycling reduces the need for residents to separate recyclables.
Q. How much will the new Single Stream Recycling program cost?
A. The only cost to the resident is a one-time cart fee per address. The fee for the 96 gallon cart is $46.51. The fee for the 64 gallon cart is $40.18. This fee will be applied to this year’s property tax bill.
Q. When and how do I get my recycling cart?
A. The manufacturer will deliver the cart to your residence prior to the implementation of Oshkosh’s Single Stream Recycling program this fall. You do not need to be home when your cart is delivered.
Q. What is the estimated size of the carts?
A. 96 gallon: Length - 35.25 inches, Width - 29.75 inches, Height - 43.25 inches
64 gallon: Length - 31.75 inches, Width - 24.25 inches, Height - 41.75 inches
Q. Can I purchase my own cart at a local store?
A. No. The recycling carts have to be compatible with the automated and semi-automated collection equipment. The standardization of the blue recycling cart will allow for easy identification and collection of recycling materials. The carts are assigned to a specific address and the carts purchased through the city come with a ten year warranty.
Q. Do I have to set the recycling cart out even if I don’t have much in it?
A. No. Residents have the freedom to decide if their cart has enough material to be collected on designated pick-up days. It is recommended that you set your cart out only if it’s more than half full on your designated recycling collection week.
Q. Can I bag my recyclables before placing them in the cart?
A. No, all recyclables must be placed in the cart loose.
Q. What if I have more recyclables than will fit in the cart? Can I use bags and set them alongside the curb?
A. No. Any items outside the cart will not be collected and must be removed from the curb the same day to avoid fines and special collection charges. Residents that determine their recycling volume exceeds one cart may contact the city Sanitation Division (232-5383) to purchase an additional cart. Residents also have the option of taking their extra recyclables for no charge to Winnebago County (232-1850) at 100 W. County Road Y, Oshkosh, WI. 54901.
Q. Will I need to participate in Single Stream Recycling if I rent?
A. If your recycling is currently put at the curb for collection by the Sanitation Division, you will be participating in the new program. The property owner will choose the carts for the building and it is their responsibility to coordinate and communicate the recycling plan with tenants.
Q. How does this program address individuals who are physically unable to move their carts to the curb?
A. The city of Oshkosh has set up an Exemption Service (ES) program to assist residents with disabilities, who do not have anyone to help them with their chores. Residents that are physically unable to place their carts at the curb may qualify for the city’s (ES) program at no additional cost. Residents will need to provide the city with a verifiable doctor’s slip stating why they are physically restricted from moving their cart to the curb. Applications for the (ES) program are available by calling the Sanitation Division at 232-5383 or by visiting the city website, www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us.
Q. How do I prepare my recyclables?
A. Containers must be emptied and rinsed before being placed in the recycling cart. Cardboard should be flattened and may have to be cut to fit in the recycling cart. Papers and magazines must be placed in the recycling cart loose. Shredded paper must be placed in a paper bag and then put in the recycling cart. Plastic bags are not allowed in the recycling cart. Garbage is not allowed in the recycling cart.
Q. What material can be recycled in the new Single Stream Recycling program?
A. All your current recyclables (cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, aluminum cans, and tin cans) will go in the recycling cart. See Guide to Recycling for additional information.
Q. Can I mark my recycling cart?
A. It is not necessary to mark the recycling cart because of the serial number and the embedded RFID tag.
Q. Will the collection schedule change?
A. The Single Stream Recycling collection schedule will change to every other week. Recyclables will be collected on the same day as your garbage. The collection schedule for garbage will not change.
Q. Are the recycling carts under warranty?
A. Yes. The recycling carts are under warranty for ten years of normal use.
Q. What if my recycling cart is stolen?
A. The Sanitation Division will assist in trying to locate the recycling cart through the serial number and the (RFID) tag. If the recycling cart is not recovered, you can file a police report. The replacement cost of a new recycling cart is the responsibility of the owner.
Q. Where can I store my recycling cart?
A. Ideally, the recycling cart will replace the current recyclable material storage area in your garage. The storage area should be kept clean at all times. On the day of collection please have your recycling cart at the curb prior to 7:00 a.m. Do not place your recycling cart at the curb before 4:00 p.m. the day before collection. The recycling cart must be removed from the curbside to the point of storage within 12 hours after collection.
Q. Who maintains the recycling cart?
A. The resident maintains the recycling cart. The recycling carts are built for the purpose of recycling and should be nearly maintenance free with normal wear and tear.
Q. Will the recycling carts crack in winter?
A. The recycling carts are designed to withstand temperatures between 30 degrees below zero and 120 degrees Fahrenheit and should not crack with normal handling even in cold temperatures. If they were to crack, replacement recycling carts would be covered under the manufacturer’s ten year warranty.
Q. Will the carts have a code or set of numbers on them that will correspond with a specific address?
A. Yes. All of the recycling carts will have serial numbers hot stamped on the front. The carts will also have an imbedded radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The serial number and (RFID) tag will correspond to the address.
Q. Do I have to take a cart from the city?
A. Yes. The city will assign every address a recycling cart and charge the designated fee for the cart size selected. The purpose of assigning a cart to each address is to ensure that every resident has the ability to independently recycle in the city of Oshkosh.
Q. If I move out of the city limits can I take my cart with me to a new location?
A. Yes. Once you purchase the cart it is yours to keep and maintain. But, it is unlikely that Oshkosh recycling carts could be used in other communities because of compatibility issues. (Example: Madison is not going to pick up recyclables from a blue cart when their standard is green.)
Q. If I move to a new address in the city can I take my cart with me?
A. Yes. Homeowners can take their cart to their new address or leave it for the new homeowner. If you leave the cart at your old address you would have to purchase a new one for your new address. If you do move your cart to a new address, please notify the city. Remember if you rent you do not own the cart and should not be moving it to a different location.
Supplemental Information
Your City at Work
The October edition of Your City at Work takes another in-depth look at Single Stream Recycling. The program will show residents how to prepare their recycling cart for recycling day, highlight the new automated recycling trucks, take a behind the scenes look at the Tri-County Single Stream Recycling Facility, and much more. Click here to watch the program.
