Larrisa Thomas of Keep Kimball Beautiful gave a presentation on what the recycling center can and can’t accept at the chamber of commerce’s monthly coffee.

Thomas, using visual props to aid in her presentation, says the recycling center can accept office pack.

Office pack, she explains is white printer paper, light colored fluorescent paper and index cards. Some envelopes can also be recycled as office pack. She said other types of paper, or paper with lots of ink on it, should be placed in the newsprint recycle bin.

Newsprint includes, magazines, newspapers, post its, and dark colored paper.

If your office recycles, Thomas says separating out the paper recyclables is a big help to the center.

Otherwise we have to sort everything as it comes in, she says.

Thomas explained that newsprint that isn’t re-pulped and turned back into usable paper is shredded, mixed with an acid and then turned into blown insulation.

Receipts from Main Street Market can also be recycled. These can be used for cash for the recycle center. Thomas says that for every $100,000 in receipts they collect, they get a grant for $1,000.

“This helps on raising funds for the facility,” she says.

Corrugated cardboard is also accepted at the recycle center. Pressed cardboard, like the type most cereal boxes are made out of, can not be accepted at this time.

“I am trying to find a resource to take this on,” Thomas says.

Thomas says the center accepts certain plastics as well. These include milk jugs, No. 2 plastic (laundry detergent, frozen juice, coffee, hydrogen peroxide, kitty litter jugs, and ice cream buckets without handles are all examples). Number 1 plastics (water and soda bottles, salad dressing, ketchup, mayo etc...) can be accepted. Plastics that  are used for fresh fruit, muffins etc... can not be accepted. Thomas asks that you take a moment to rinse the plastic jug out. It doesn’t have to be sparkling clean, just give it a quick rinse.

As for upcoming events, Thomas says the center is hosting a shread-a-thon in conduction with other Earth Day events at Main Street Market. They will also be hosting a household chemical disposal event in the future.

“It takes space and commitment to recycle,” she says, “Keep Kimball Beautiful does what they can to help people to recycle.”