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MassDEP officials outline what belongs — and what doesn’t — in curbside recycling
Summary
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection officials advised residents to remove food crumbs, avoid textiles and plastic film in curbside recycling, and use designated drop-off points for batteries and textiles to prevent equipment damage and worker hazards.
Denene Simpson, director of Environmental Justice at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and Greg Cooper, MassDEP’s director of hazardous and solid waste, provided step-by-step guidance on what residents should and should not place in curbside recycling bins to reduce contamination and safety risks.
The officials said contamination at sorting facilities can damage equipment, slow processing and lower the value of recyclable materials — increasing costs for municipalities and creating hazards for workers. “It’s very critical to put the right materials in there,” Cooper said, adding that correct sorting makes recycling…
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