Recycling may seem like a modern household practice, but it goes back to the 1800s when people would patch worn clothing or take fabric scraps to make new things. Ragmen went from door to door collecting fabric scraps to use in paper manufacturing. During WWII, families were asked to donate their scrap metal, paper, rags, and rubber.
Since curbside recycling began in the 1970s, recycling has expanded a lot. Today’s recycling covers everything from glass and plastic to cardboard and metal. However, it’s a practice that can be impacted by the weather. When extreme weather events take place, recycling is impacted in multiple ways, leading to problems with regular curbside collections and recycling center practices.
How Seasons Impact Recycling Practices
Curbside recycling typically follows the same routine. Week after week, you fill your bin and leave it out at the end of your driveway or at the curb in time for pickup. The truck comes and collects the recycling to bring it to the facility for sorting.
It seems simple to you, but there’s a lot more going on. Each driver’s route needs to be carefully planned to ensure trucks have the room to pick up all recyclables on that route. Staff need to be arranged for collection and sorting at a material recovery facility (MRF).
Once sorted, materials are packaged and transported to the appropriate center. Some may go to the landfill because the items are contaminated. Materials may go to plants for processing back into raw materials. Each step of the way, staff are there to ensure things are sorted and handled correctly.
The different seasons impact how well recycling works. With each season, different types of recycling often increase or decrease with the season.
- Spring – Many households complete spring cleaning, so broken or unused electronics end up increasing the amount of electronic recycling that’s dropped off at retailers or MRFs. Waste and recycling, like construction materials, carpeting, and old furniture, also increase.
- Summer – Outdoor events increase because it’s the perfect time to gather with families at a backyard barbecue. Outdoor concerts and movies in the park are popular. Farmers’ markets are also popular. This leads to increased recycling of disposable plates, water bottles, soda cans, and iced tea bottles.
- Fall – Yard waste increases as people rake leaves, trim branches back, and clean out their gardens.
- Winter – Holidays like Christmas increase the number of boxes coming into homes from online shopping and gift giving.
While these changes are manageable, there are also seasonal extreme weather events that further impede recycling practices.
Extreme Weather Adds Additional Problems
Extreme weather events don’t just delay recycling; they can halt recycling measures completely while new plans are made or facilities are cleaned up and repaired. Take a closer look at the impact of extreme weather on recycling.
1. Blizzards and Ice StormsAcross the U.S., winter blizzards and ice storms wreak havoc on recycling. Road conditions are part of the problem. Heavy snow and ice build up and make driving treacherous. Trucks can slip off the road or collide with other cars that cannot stop in time. Workers collecting recycling bins are at risk of getting hit by other vehicles that can’t keep traction on side roads.
Another issue occurs if snow or ice gets into recycling bins. The snow and ice can freeze items together. Lids may not open correctly, making it impossible for trucks with automated arms to do their job.
Residents may have a hard time putting their bins out at the curb. Snowplows cover curbs and the ends of driveways with feet of packed snow, which is difficult to clear in time for morning pickups. If a storm is predicted, people don’t want to put bins out and return after work to find their bins buried.
Many northern cities, like Boston, Buffalo, or Minneapolis, have to suspend trash and recycling collection until a blizzard ends. This is not only for the workers’ and public’s safety, but it’s also important when it comes to preventing equipment damage.
2. Heatwaves and DroughtsWhile a heatwave or drought might not seem that critical to recycling and waste collection, they can be just as bad as a storm. Collection crews are at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke when they’re working outside for hours without air conditioning.
Longer breaks or shorter work days help prevent heat-related illnesses. That means fewer recyclables are collected or sorted in a timely manner.
Extreme heat also impacts the fire risk. A glass bottle shining light on the same pile of old paper could trigger a fire. Someone recycles an empty bottle of antibacterial spray, and that metal can is sitting in extreme temperatures and the sun for hours. The heat can lead to expansion that causes the can to rupture or explode.
If a drought extends for too long, districts may need to restrict water use. That makes it hard for recycling facilities to properly wash glass, plastic, and metal containers for additional processing.
3. Thunderstorms, Tropical Storms, and HurricanesTropical storms and hurricanes come in from the Pacific, Atlantic, or Gulf of Mexico. The rainfall and winds from those weather events have an immediate and intense impact on recycling. Thunderstorms and tornadoes are equally damaging when they pop up.
Flooding rains can close roadways and flood MRFs. They can flood a recycling facility’s yard and ruin recyclables pending sorting and washing. If flooding causes sewers to back up, the raw sewage destroys items, and there’s no choice but to take them to a landfill.
4. Wildfires
Wildfires are a problem that extreme weather events often fuel. Winds encourage flames to go higher and farther across the landscape. Ashes and soot contaminate recyclables making it harder to properly recycle them. The ashes and soot also impact air quality, which puts workers at risk of health issues if they work outside during a high AQI event.
How Communities Can Prepare for Extreme Weather Events
Whether you’re a resident, town administrator, or owner of a recycling facility, what can you do to prepare for extreme weather events so that it doesn’t negatively impact recycling in your area?
- Alternative routes – If weather impacts road conditions or closes roads, have a backup route in place. Make sure residents are aware of changes. Use GPS to carefully consider the best possible detours.
- Drop-Off Centers – When extreme weather shuts down a facility for the future, consider setting up a drop-off center in a convenient area for residents to use.
- Educate Residents – Educate residents on the best practices for storms and extreme weather events. If high winds are expected, straps to close a recycling bin’s lid keep lightweight items from blowing down the street and getting other items wet or covered in ice or snow.
- Emergency closures or delays – When you must delay pickup for a day or two, make sure there’s a clear system for alerting customers via a call, text, or email. Recycling customers need to ensure their contact information is up-to-date.
- Share Resources – If extreme weather damages or destroys an MRF, have partnerships in place to share other communities’ facilities until yours is back up and running.
The Future of Recycling
Extreme weather isn’t going away, but MRF workers and community members can work together to ensure recyclables are handled properly from the minute they become recyclables. Recycle Nation’s online recycling directory helps you find your nearest MRF to ensure you recycle everything you can.
