Madison Reporter

The online version of the Recycle Better course returns during the evening of Thursday, July 11, 2024. Community members can contribute to better recycling practices by becoming Certified Stewards.

The Recycle Better Course aims to educate participants on the importance of recycling correctly and provides them with the knowledge and confidence to assist their communities in improving recycling habits. Upon completing the course, individuals can become Certified Recycling Stewards and share this valuable information within their social circles.

Sustain Dane, in partnership with the City of Madison, developed the Recycle Better course in 2021. Since its inception, over 1,000 people have participated, and outreach projects by Certified Recycling Stewards have reached over 70,000 individuals.

The online course is divided into two sessions: the first class is scheduled for Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, and the concluding session will be held on Thursday, July 18 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. More details are available on the Sustain Dane registration webpage. The course has a small tuition fee of $15; however, those for whom cost is a burden are encouraged to contact Lorenza Zebell at Sustain Dane for potential tuition waivers.

Recycling correctly is crucial as a sort conducted by the Streets Division revealed that 18.7% of materials placed in green recycling carts should not be there. Common mistakes include placing good recyclables into inappropriate bags. Incorrect items in recycling carts increase disposal costs for the city and disrupt overall recycling efficiency. These wrong materials can jam sorting equipment and pose dangers to workers at facilities.

Recycling guidelines vary across states; Wisconsin has specific mandates that may differ from other regions. This discrepancy can cause confusion among new residents who might rely on general internet searches rather than local resources for accurate information.

Local sources often struggle to surface amidst competing information feeds. Therefore, community members who take part in the Recycle Better course play a vital role in disseminating correct local recycling information within their networks.

For those interested in learning about proper recycling without becoming Certified Recycling Stewards, City of Madison's recycling information remains freely accessible through various channels including their website and local libraries' latest Recyclopedia editions.

Additional details about Madison’s Streets Division’s recycling program can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/Recycling. Information about Sustain Dane’s classes and services is available at www.sustaindane.org.