How Often Should You Get Curbside Recycling?

Posted on: 4 April 2018

Recycling paper, plastic, and metals such as aluminum is an excellent way to help the plane, because it minimizes the harvesting of precious resources and keeps tons of garbage out of landfills. One common question people have about the process, though, is how often they should opt for curbside recycling services, since many company offer weekly, biweekly, and even monthly pickups. Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself to help you decide which one is right for you.

How Much Recyclable Waste Do You Generate?

The first thing you should consider is the amount of recyclable waste you produce in your home. This will vary depending on your lifestyle. If you eat a lot of prepackaged foods, get newspapers or magazines delivered, and/or have multiple people in the home, then you may want to sign up for weekly or biweekly service.

On the other hand, you probably can get away with only having your recyclables picked up once per month if you only produce enough waste to fill up a small tub.

If you're not sure how much recyclable waste you produce, start out with biweekly service and track how fast the containers fill up. Then decide whether you want to increase/decrease pick up times or reduce the amount of waste you're producing.

Is There Enough Storage Space?

Another thing to consider is the amount of storage space you have available for the containers. Recycling boxes come in a variety of sizes from small plastic crates to large 64- or 96-gallon carts. These containers will be taking up space in or around your home, so you need to consider whether you have enough room for the size you need to accommodate your needs. Be aware, the recycling inside the container can attract bugs, so you want to put it someplace where it won't cause an infestation in your living space (e.g. garage).

If you find you don't have enough square footage for the size crate or cart you need, then you may want to go with a smaller one and just get pick up service more often.

There are many other issues to consider when deciding how often to get curbside recycling service, such as your budget and whether you want to minimize how often the truck passes through your neighborhood. It's a good idea to contact a local waste management company to discuss your concerns to help you decide the best way to go. For more help, contact a company like Industrial Services Inc.

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