boise recycling guide

Boise, Idaho is committed to sustainable waste management, offering a comprehensive recycling program for its residents. This guide provides a detailed overview of the city’s recycling process, outlining what materials are accepted, collection schedules, and helpful tips for maximizing recycling efforts. You’ll find information on the Hefty EnergyBag program, composting, and household hazardous waste disposal, along with valuable resources to assist you in your recycling journey.

Introduction

Boise, Idaho, strives to be a leader in environmental sustainability, and its comprehensive recycling program plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. The city’s commitment to diverting waste from landfills is evident in its robust recycling infrastructure, which includes curbside collection, specialized recycling centers, and educational initiatives aimed at empowering residents to make informed choices about their waste disposal.

The Boise Recycling Guide is designed to serve as a comprehensive resource for residents, providing clear and concise information on what materials are accepted for recycling, how to properly prepare items for collection, and the importance of responsible recycling practices; By understanding the nuances of the city’s recycling program, residents can contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment for themselves and future generations.

The guide will delve into the various aspects of Boise’s recycling program, exploring topics such as the Hefty EnergyBag program for hard-to-recycle plastics, composting options, and the proper disposal of household hazardous waste. It will also highlight the city’s efforts to promote recycling awareness and encourage residents to embrace sustainable practices in their daily lives.

By embracing the principles outlined in this guide, Boise residents can actively participate in the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship and contribute to a more sustainable future.

What Can Be Recycled in Boise?

Boise’s recycling program encompasses a wide range of materials, aiming to maximize resource recovery and minimize landfill waste. Residents can recycle a variety of items through their blue recycling carts, ensuring they are properly sorted and free of contamination. Here’s a breakdown of what’s accepted⁚

• Paper and Cardboard⁚ Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, office paper, cardboard boxes (flattened), paperboard (cereal boxes, etc.).
• Plastic Bottles and Containers⁚ Clean, dry, and empty plastic bottles, jugs, and jars with caps and lids, marked with recycling codes 1 and 2.
• Metal Cans⁚ Aluminum and steel cans, including food and beverage containers.
• Glass Bottles and Jars⁚ Clean and empty glass bottles and jars, including those with lids.

While these are the most common items accepted in the blue recycling carts, Boise also offers specialized recycling programs for certain materials⁚

• Hefty EnergyBag Program⁚ For hard-to-recycle plastics marked with recycling codes 4 through 7, residents can utilize Hefty ReNew orange bags, available at most grocery stores.
• Glass Collection⁚ Boise offers separate glass collection services for residents who do not have access to blue recycling carts.

It’s important to note that certain items are not recyclable and should be disposed of in the trash. These include⁚

• Polystyrene foam⁚ This material is not typically accepted in curbside recycling and should be disposed of in the garbage.
• Plastic bags⁚ Plastic bags are not accepted in blue recycling carts, but can be recycled at designated drop-off locations.
• Food waste⁚ Food scraps should be composted or disposed of in the garbage, not the recycling bin.

By understanding the specific guidelines for each type of material, residents can ensure their recycling efforts are effective and contribute to the city’s waste diversion goals.

Recycling Collection Schedule

Boise’s recycling collection operates on a bi-weekly schedule, meaning your recycling is picked up every other week. To ensure your recyclables are collected on time, it’s essential to understand your designated trash day. The city has a dedicated collection day map, easily accessible on the Republic Services website, which provides a clear visual representation of collection schedules for various neighborhoods. This interactive tool allows you to simply input your address and instantly view your designated trash and recycling collection days.

By knowing your designated trash day, you can easily determine your recycling collection schedule. For instance, if your trash is collected on Mondays, your recycling will be picked up on the following Monday. Similarly, if your trash is collected on Wednesdays, your recycling will be picked up on the following Wednesday. Staying informed about your collection schedule ensures your recyclables are picked up efficiently, contributing to Boise’s commitment to sustainable waste management.

The city also offers specialized collection services for certain items, such as glass collection. While the standard blue recycling carts accept a wide range of materials, residents without access to these carts can utilize the glass collection service. For information on glass collection schedules and locations, it’s recommended to contact the city’s waste management department or visit their website.

Composting in Boise

Boise’s commitment to environmental sustainability extends beyond traditional recycling, encompassing composting as a vital component of waste management. Composting diverts organic materials from landfills, transforming them into nutrient-rich soil amendments. This process not only reduces landfill waste but also creates a valuable resource for enriching gardens and landscapes.

Boise residents have several options for composting, catering to different needs and preferences. The city provides curbside compost pickup for eligible residents, allowing them to conveniently dispose of organic waste. To participate in curbside composting, residents must sign up for the program and use designated brown compost carts. These carts are separate from the blue recycling carts and are specifically designed for organic materials.

For residents who prefer a more hands-on approach, backyard composting is also encouraged. Home composting allows residents to create their own compost at home, using a variety of methods such as composting bins, tumblers, or even simple piles. This option offers a greater degree of control over the composting process and allows residents to witness the transformation of organic waste into valuable compost.

Beyond curbside and backyard composting, the city also offers community composting programs. These programs allow residents to drop off their organic waste at designated locations, where it is composted collectively. Community composting provides a convenient option for residents who lack the space or resources for backyard composting.

Hefty EnergyBag Program

Boise’s commitment to expanding recycling options has led to the introduction of the Hefty EnergyBag program, designed to address the challenge of recycling certain types of plastics. The program aims to divert difficult-to-recycle plastics from landfills by offering a convenient and eco-friendly alternative for residents.

The Hefty EnergyBag program focuses on accepting a wide range of plastics, including items that are often rejected by traditional recycling programs. These plastics, identified by resin identification codes 4 through 7, are commonly found in everyday items like plastic bags, film wrap, and foam packaging. The program provides residents with orange Hefty EnergyBags, specifically designed for collecting these plastics.

Once filled, the Hefty EnergyBags are placed alongside regular recycling bins on designated collection days. The bags are then transported to a specialized facility where they are processed into a fuel source. This innovative approach allows for the recovery of energy from plastics that would otherwise end up in landfills.

The Hefty EnergyBag program is an important step towards reducing landfill waste and promoting a more sustainable future. By providing a convenient solution for recycling difficult-to-recycle plastics, the program encourages residents to actively participate in waste management practices that benefit the environment.

Household Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous waste (HHW) refers to materials commonly found in homes that pose risks to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly. Boise offers a dedicated program for managing HHW, ensuring its safe disposal and preventing contamination of landfills and waterways.

The city’s HHW program encourages residents to dispose of these materials responsibly. It provides a convenient and environmentally sound alternative to simply throwing them in the trash. HHW items include a variety of products that contain hazardous chemicals, including⁚

• Paints and varnishes
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Cleaning supplies
• Automotive fluids
• Batteries
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Electronics

Boise residents can safely dispose of their HHW by bringing it to designated collection centers during scheduled drop-off events. The city regularly organizes these events, providing residents with a convenient opportunity to dispose of HHW items responsibly. By participating in the HHW program, residents play a vital role in safeguarding the community’s health and the environment.

Tips for Recycling

Recycling is a vital aspect of a sustainable lifestyle, and Boise residents can make a significant impact by following these simple yet effective tips to optimize their recycling efforts⁚

• Rinse and Empty Containers⁚ Thoroughly rinse food and beverage containers before placing them in the recycling bin. This removes any residual food or liquid that can attract pests and contaminate other recyclables.
• Flatten Cardboard and Boxes⁚ Flatten cardboard boxes and flatten plastic containers to save space in your recycling bin and make collection easier.
• Keep It Clean and Dry⁚ Make sure recyclables are clean and dry to prevent contamination. Wet paper or cardboard will become moldy and unusable.
• Check for Contamination⁚ Before tossing an item into your recycling bin, take a moment to check for contamination. Items like plastic bags, food scraps, or hazardous materials should not be recycled.
• Separate Plastics⁚ Boise’s recycling program accepts certain types of plastics, so be sure to check the recycling guide to ensure you’re only recycling the correct types.
• Recycle Glass⁚ Boise offers glass collection services, so be sure to separate your glass bottles and jars from other recyclables.
• Use the Hefty EnergyBag Program⁚ For hard-to-recycle plastics, utilize the Hefty EnergyBag program, which provides a convenient way to recycle these items.

By following these simple guidelines, Boise residents can contribute to a more sustainable future by maximizing their recycling efforts, minimizing waste, and preserving the environment.

Resources for Boise Residents

Boise offers a wealth of resources to help residents navigate the city’s recycling program and make informed decisions about waste disposal. Here are some key resources to keep in mind⁚

• Boise City Website⁚ The official city website provides a comprehensive recycling guide with detailed information on what can be recycled, collection schedules, and the Hefty EnergyBag program.
• Republic Services⁚ Republic Services, the primary waste collection provider in Boise, offers a collection day map and helpful resources on their website. You can also contact them directly for assistance with any recycling questions.
• Ada County Trash Billing⁚ This website provides information on recycling and sorting waste for proper disposal.
• Boise Farmers Market⁚ The Boise Farmers Market is a great place to learn about sustainable practices and find locally sourced products.
• Boise State University⁚ Boise State University offers a variety of programs and resources related to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
• Local Environmental Organizations⁚ The Treasure Valley is home to many environmental organizations, such as the Idaho Conservation League and the Idaho Environmental Council, which provide information and advocate for sustainable practices.

By utilizing these resources, Boise residents can stay informed about the city’s recycling program and make responsible choices for a more sustainable future.