Kluesner distributes new recycling bins
Kluesner Sanitation, LLC has recently distributed new recycling bins to residents whose services are billed through the City of Guttenberg. The new vessels offer community members a larger container with a lid. (Press photo by Shelia Tomkins)
By Caroline Rosacker
Kluesner Sanitation, LLC has recently distributed new recycling bins to residents whose services are billed through the City of Guttenberg. The new vessels offer community members a larger container with a lid. This updated version will hold more recyclables and keep paper products dry and securely contained in the bin on rainy, windy days.
“Kluesner Sanitation does not own the old recycle bins, so they do not need to be returned,” said a spokesperson for the company. "We are switching to automated trucks so we encourage community members to utilize the new recycling bins."
There will be a change to your recycling pick up schedule starting in 2021. Beginning January 2021, recycling will be picked up only every other week. The first pickup will be Tuesday, Jan. 5, and every other Tuesday following. NOTE: Garbage will continue to be picked up every week. For additional information call 563-927-5977.
Americans are consuming more and more stuff. After decades of urgent public-information campaigns, we finally understand the need and importance of recycling.
What can be recycled and what is not acceptable can be very confusing. The following is a complete list of recyclables Kluesner Sanitation will accept.
Acceptable Clean Metal Products:
Aluminum
Tin, steel, and aluminum cans
Metal jar lids
Coat hangers
Aerosol cans
Christmas tree lights
Pots and pans
Empty paint/aerosol containers
Acceptable Cardboard/Paper Products:
Newspapers, magazines, and catalogs
Corrugated cardboard (staples ok; pizza boxes must be clean of food refuse)
Gray chipboard including cereal, cracker, and shoeboxes
Junk mail and envelopes
Paper bags
Mixed office paper
Phone, paperback, and hardcover books
Paper egg cartons
Paper towel and toilet tissue roll cores
Shredded paper strips
Cardboard/paper products must be clean, dry, and flattened, pieces need to be in a 2' x 2' piece.
Acceptable Plastic Products:
Plastic with #1 through #5 and #7 symbols ONLY
Milk and juice jugs
Pop and water bottles
Yogurt containers
Ice cream tubs
Cooking oil containers
Shampoo bottles
Lotion bottles
Dish and liquid soap bottles
Bleach and detergent containers
Household cleaning containers
Please remove and discard all caps, lids, rings, and pumps from plastics, and flatten containers to conserve space.
Unacceptable Cardboard/Paper Products:
Milk and juice paperboard cartons
Slick-coated frozen food boxes
Greeting cards and gift-wrap
Paper plates, cups and napkins
Photographs
Disposable diapers
Cereal and cracker box liners
Crosscut paper/Shredded paper
Unacceptable Plastic Products:
Styrofoam
Plastic bags and film wrap
Plastic with #6 symbol
Plastic without a recycling symbol
Oil and antifreeze containers
Medical supplies and “sharps”
Plastic shopping bags (please recycle at participating stores.)
Unacceptable Miscellaneous Items:
Televisions
Computers and electronic equipment
Tires
Glass is not acceptable for recycling. Glass should be placed in your trash.
It is important to be hypervigilant about placing only acceptable recyclables in your new container. Failure to comply with the items listed will result in the entire bin being discarded in the trash.
Guttenberg Rotary Redemption Bin
The Guttenberg Rotary can redemption bin located behind the city garage on Haydn Street (across from the swimming pool) will accept glass beverage containers that have Iowa 5 cent deposit indicated. For convenience, safety and regulations a large bin with a lid is provided which sits in front of the can bin for just glass.
Rotary members ask the public to treat the area with respect. If abused by depositing non-qualifying glass, aluminum, plastic, broken glass or garbage in bins, the redemption center will charge for cleanup and removal rather than paying for cooperage. The Rotary Club uses 100 percent of the proceeds from their can redemption collection to support community projects.
Simple ways to reduce trash
Is responsible land stewards Americans need to be cognizant about reducing our waste.
The following are nine simple ways every household can reduce their refuse.
Get to know the rules of recycling.
Use reusable cloth bags instead of relying on plastic bags.
Make a meal plan. Only purchase groceries you know you will eat.
Start relying on reusable containers for proper storage of food to extend its shelf life.
Learn to compost. Many discarded food items can be composted to create nutrient rich soil.
Learn to repair rather than discard.
Cancel unnecessary mail.
Stop using disposable plates and wash and reuse plastic silverware, plates and cups.
Stop buying plastic water bottles.
