(Washington, DC) DC Department of Public Works (DPW) recycling inspectors will scour District neighborhoods from November 5 to November 16, in search of the “Perfect Set Out.” A gift package, including a $50 check, will be given to one resident in each ward who sets out a recycling bin containing acceptable recycled materials in the proper manner. Winners will be announced the week of November 26 to recognize America Recycles Day, which will be celebrated nationally on November 15, 2007. DPW employees and their relatives are not eligible for this contest.
“We hope to spark a level of competition among our residents to encourage more to recycle and to recycle correctly,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “We also want to use this as an opportunity to acknowledge those residents who have been dedicated recyclers. These citizens set a great example and make it easier for DPW to turn waste into reusable materials.”
District residents are also encouraged to take the National Recycling Coalition's America Recycles 2007 Pledge. Submitting the pledge card enters participants into a drawing for prizes that include a $300 gift certificate at a bicycle shop and a $500 grant to a DC Public School environmental club or project of the winner's choice. Pledge forms will be made available at DPW Headquarters at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /?>2000 14th Street, NW (6th Floor) and online at Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
So What is the Perfect Set Out?
The District recycles glass, plastic bottles, metal cans, and mixed paper. Residents should place all recyclables in their DC government-issued recycling can or bin. All recycled items should be emptied and rinsed. Any lids or labels can remain on the item.
Glass
Acceptable: Clear, brown, and green glass food and beverage containers.
Not Acceptable: Dishes, light bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, windows, mirrored glass or glass cookware.
Plastic Bottles
Acceptable: Narrow-necked bottles including water, soda, milk, juice, and detergent bottles.
Not Acceptable: Bottles from automotive products; pesticides or other toxins; butter tubs, medicine bottles, Styrofoam, plastic food wrapping, toys, and grocery (or other) plastic bags.
Metal
Acceptable: Tin, aluminum (including foil and pie plates), and steel food and beverage cans. Do not crush metal containers.
Not Acceptable: Auto parts, kitchen supplies, bicycles, and furniture.
Paper
Acceptable:
Mixed paper - Recycle all papers together including white and colored papers, envelopes, forms, file folders, tablets, junk mail, cereal boxes, wrapping paper, catalogs, magazines and phone books. It is okay to include metal staples, clips, glue, labels, and plastic windows on envelopes. Paper-based egg cartons are okay, if clean. Please remove plastic bindings and dividers. Photos are okay, but not "instant" film (Polaroids).
Newspaper - All paper-based inserts that come with the newspaper can be recycled. Put them loosely into the cart.
Corrugated cardboard boxes and brown paper bags - Remove packaging, then flatten and place in cart or bin.
Shredded Paper – Put shredded fiber into paper bag.
Not Acceptable: Plastic-coated paper, blueprints, waxed cardboard, cups/plates, milk or juice cartons, disposable "drink boxes", food-contaminated paper, tissues, paper towels, or "instant" film (Polaroids).