Republic Services explains single‑stream recycling, carts and yard‑waste rules at community Q&A

At a recent community question-and-answer session in Olivette, Joel, a Republic Services representative, reviewed what materials belong in single‑stream residential recycling and answered residents’ questions about extra carts, yard‑waste limits and where local recyclables are processed. "When in doubt, throw it out," Joel said, urging residents to avoid placing uncertain items in curbside recycling.

Joel said single‑stream recycling for the municipality accepts six material categories — paper and cardboard, plastic jugs and containers, aluminum and metal cans, and glass — which may be commingled in one container for collection and processing at a material recovery facility (MRF). He said the MRF serving the area audits loads for contamination and that the goal set with the county and MRF is 15% contamination or less; currently the city’s loads are at about 14% contamination, below a stated municipal average of roughly 20%.

On plastics, Joel cautioned that the numbered resin code on a container only identifies the type of plastic, not whether it is recyclable in the local…