Single Stream Signage for Receptacles

City of Oakland has an ordinance banning polystyrene. Read the text of the ordinance here:

http://www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca/groups/pwa/documents/report/oak026045.pdf


Wanda Redic
Recycling Specialist
City of Oakland
United States
www.oaklandrecycles.com

We are starting single stream collection including the white polystyrene but not the black kind you would find holding meat. I assume bubble wrap would be included also as they have been advertising they will be taking soft plastics. If poster wants to email me [email protected] can put them in touch with the coordinator for that scheme.

Jodi Thompson
Pollution Prevention Officer
Environment Southland
New Zealand

Check out the resources page at 3Rs.ca as well. There are lots of copyright free icons and photographs, as well as Illustrator files and sets of signage.



Ruben Anderson
Communications Specialist
Metro Vancouver
Canada

Different municipalities have different rules when it comes to "Mixed" or "Single Stream" recycling.

In Boston, Single Stream does not include styrofoam or bubble wrap.

Pamela's link to the signage above, is spot on in messaging and design, it's made of durable vinyl and only $1.15 a sign.

Megan Ramey
Sustainability Coordinator
A Better City
United States
www.challengeforsustainability.org

"Single stream" refers to mixed materials -- i.e., no need to sort. It is a descriptor, not a term that usually appears on the labels themselves. Most labels depict the accepted materials visually, as well as in words, to bridge the language barrier and convey an instant cue.

I am not aware of any local Styrofoam and unnumbered plastics recycling, although you can mail back Styrofoam for recycling, supposedly; check http://www.epspackaging.org.

Pamela Williams
Boise Public Works
United States

What is single stream signage? In our efforts to improve the environment step number one is to use English in ways that are understandable by anyone, whether educated or not. I have two degrees and do not comprehend this any many other terms which shroud our efforts with failure, or at best slow down progress. People become bored and apthetic by vague ideas.

Myrtle Macdonald
Consultant
retired
Canada

A major concern is Styrofoam and unnumbered plastic used for bubble packaging.

1. Do any facilities recycle Styrofoam and unnumbered plastic for useful purposes?

2. Do any governments local, regional or federal ban the use of Styrofoam and unnumbered plastic?

Myrtle Macdonald, [email protected], Phone 604-795-3690.

Myrtle Macdonald
Consultant
retired
Canada

Thanks, Pamela. I had just succumbed to developing my own template with clean design, but these are much better!

Megan Ramey
Sustainability Coordinator
A Better City
United States
www.challengeforsustainability.org

Megan, take a look at the standardized labels at www.recycleacrossamerica.org. We at the City of Boise haven't tried them yet, but we almost certainly will. They're colorful, inexpensive, can be customized, and cover a variety of materials.

Pamela Williams
Boise Public Works
United States