![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/No-Bags_Tags2-91x300.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
UPDATE: Due to inclement weather and to gather more data, this pilot has been extended from six weeks to eight weeks.<\/strong><\/p>\n Pilot Aims to Educate Residents on Recycling Correct Materials<\/em><\/strong> Phase one of the will begin with 600 households to help the county plan for a countywide recycling improvement program.<\/p>\n Based on similar programs in Massachusetts, Atlanta and Chicago that showed promising results, the program involves staff members looking inside carts and leaving a card with recycling feedback.<\/p>\n Each cart will be given a weekly tag ranging from Great Job (near perfect), Good Try (a few recommended tweaks) or Oops (needs improvement) with some specific guidance to explain in English and Spanish what specifically needs improvement. For example, if a resident has all recyclables in plastic bags, that will be noted so residents can learn to leave the items loose in the cart.<\/p>\n \u201cA little more than two years ago, the county began weekly collection of 95-gallon blue lid recycling carts, which increased the volume collected,\u201d said David Gregory, manager of Orange County Utilities\u2019 Solid Waste Division, noting that the Orange County collects 5,000 tons a month on average. Gregory explains that it also increased the quantity of non-recyclable materials inside the carts. \u201cWe\u2019re collecting more material and now we need to help customers better understand what we can accept,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The market value for recyclables, which had once been more robust and provided a return for materials, recently changed and it now costs counties and cities significantly more to process materials. \u201cIt is imperative that we improve the quality of recyclables in our program in order to maintain a cost-effective program in Orange County,\u201d Gregory added.<\/p>\n Information about the pilot program: www.ocfl.net\/recycles<\/a>. Inquiries about the recycling program can be sent via email to Solid.Waste@ocfl.net<\/a> or the Orange County Utilities Solid Waste Hotline at 407-836-6601.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" UPDATE: Due to inclement weather and to gather more data, this pilot has been extended from six weeks to eight weeks. Pilot Aims to Educate Residents on Recycling Correct Materials Orange County, Fla. \u2013 To remove plastic bags and other non-recyclable items from the Orange County Recycling program, Orange County Utilities announces the launch of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-10855","press-release","type-press-release","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nOrange County, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 To remove plastic bags and other non-recyclable items from the Orange County Recycling program, Orange County Utilities announces the launch of a pilot program to study and improve recycling habits in unincorporated Orange County.<\/p>\n