Garfield Heights, Ohio — Cuyahoga County communities recycled 256,128.1 tons (or 36.34%) of all residential waste produced in 2014, according to the annual Residential Recycling Report published by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, a public agency working to advance sustainable and economical solid waste management practices.
The Solid Waste District has published this report since 2001 to document community recycling efforts. Since then, residential recycling has increased from 18.47% to 36.34% because of commitment and investment in recycling by Cuyahoga County communities and residents.
The District attributes this recycling progress to the increasing number of communities that provide 64-gallon recycling carts to their residents for collection. The ample-sized carts are now used by half of all communities and provide a convenient way for residents to recycle commingled plastic, glass and metal containers, and paper. Greater recycling awareness and participation is also helping to grow recycling rates from year to year.
In 2014, recycling rates increased in 38 communities in Cuyahoga County while 46 communities recycled more than 25% of their waste through curbside, drop-off and organics recycling programs. The State of Ohio goal for residential and commercial waste streams is 25%.
After residential materials are collected they are taken to a MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) where they are sorted, baled, and shipped to mills to be made into new products. The three MRF’s that process Cuyahoga County’s recyclables include Kimble Recycling in Twinsburg, Republic Services in Oberlin, and Waste Management in Akron.
A PDF of the report is attached. It can also be viewed at www.cuyahogaswd.org/en-US/annual-residential-recycling-report.aspx
Residents can learn more about recycling, and how to recycle properly, by visiting www.cuyahogaswd.org or by calling (216) 443-3714.