Going Green!

CONTACT PERSON
Tonja E. Shackelford, Coordinator
Public Works Department
1017 Myrtle Street
P.O. Box 1125
Valdosta, Georgia 31603-1125
E-mail:  tshackel@valdostacity.com 

Going Green:  What does it mean?

Going Green is taking steps to make life style choices to protect the environment.  This can mean recycling or reusing materials, and reducing energy use, like using less water, or turning off lights.

The City of Valdosta encourages residents to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Bins are provided for recycle commodities. Place your recycle bin alongside your garbage roll out at the curb by 6:00 a.m. the morning of your collection day.  Recycling is not collected on city designated holidays.

We ask that containers be rinsed out and cardboard be broken down prior to being placed curbside. If items are not placed in the recycle bin or cardboard is not broken down, this could delay your recycle material being picked up.

NOTE: If you are not sure if something can be recycled, call us at (229) 259-3588!

WHAT CAN BE RECYCLED?

(Place the following items in your blue recycle bin)

Material	What to Recycle?	How to prepare?	Not acceptable
Paper (Newspapers, magazines, mixed paper)	Newspapers/inserts - no bags or rubber bands Magazines, catalogs Phone books Cardboard Boxes - (remove styrofoam, bubble wrap, tape, etc) Dry food boxes, cereal boxes - remove inside liners and food. Shoe boxes, gift boxes Office Paper Junk Mail Frozen food boxes	Please flatten cardboard.	No tissues, napkins, paper towels or other soiled paper No paper bags No pizza boxes No paper plates or cups No plastic laminated paper No paperback or hardbound books
Glass, food, beverage bottles and jars	Clear, green, blue, and brown	Rinse clean. Labels may be left on.	No light bulbs, window glass, dishes, glasses, Pyrex or other glass cooking items.
Cans	Aluminum, steel, and tin.	Rinse clean. Labels may be left on.	No paint or aerosol cans No aluminum foil
Plastic	Plastic milk or juice jugs, soda, and detergent bottles Soda and Water Bottles Laundry detergent jugs Ketchup, Mustard Bottles, etc. Labeled #1 – 7 on the bottom - plastic bottles, jugs, jars, yogurt containers, margarine tubs	Rinse clean.	No plastic bags No motor oil or pool chemical containers No styrofoam or plastic popcorn No plastic toys, baskets, trays, rubber hoses, swimming pools, etc

 RECYCLING TIPS:

1. Make sure your recyclable materials are clean, dry, and empty.
2. Break down any cardboard boxes.
3. If your bin will not hold all of your recyclables, feel free to use an old garbage can or plastic bin.  Please make sure to clearly identify the containers as recycling bins.
4. If it's not on the list, it is a non-recyclable item and should not be placed in your blue bin. 
5. When in doubt, call 229-259-3588 before you put it out!