Central Arkansas residents will soon have a few more items they can put in their curbside recycling bin.
Starting next Monday, December 1, plastic and paper to-go cups will be accepted in curbside recycle carts. The change only applies to cups and drink sleeves – lids and straws won’t be accepted, nor will Styrofoam and other types of plastic cups.
In a news conference at the Port of Little Rock Tuesday, Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde said the goal is to cut down on some of the most commonly-littered items.
“That means that your coffee cups, drive-thru drink cups and even those heat sleeves can now join plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, cartons and cardboard in the recycling cart,” Hyde said. “This is a big deal, because every cup we keep out of the landfill and off our roadsides is a win for our environment and for future generations.”
Other containers, like cartons, milk jugs and two-liter bottles are able to be placed in curbside recycling, along with glass and paper products. Hyde credited the partnership between Waste Management and the Regional Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Pulaski County with helping make the change possible.
Jamie Vernon, public sector manager at Waste Management Arkansas, says part of his job is to find ways to give the products a new life.
“One of the things about these recyclables, processing and collecting it is not always the hardest part,” he said. “We have great partners that are going to be able to process these cups into various products, so we’re extremely excited about that.”
The change applies to residential customers in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood and Pulaski County. Residents of Maumelle, Jacksonville and Cammack Village are encouraged to contact their public works departments or recycling services for information.
More on what can, and can’t, be recycled is available online at MyDoRight.com.
