Can anyone tell me about the new recycling method at the Fayette Waste Management site?

We've been recycling there for years. In the past, there were separate containers for glass, plastic, etc.

Now, everything goes into one hopper with a compactor.

Is all of this somewhow sorted later in the process? It is very hard to imagine, as now it is all smushed up into one compact cube.
It is tempting to think that "recycling" now means that it all goes into a special "recycling" spot in the landfill. Were this true, then it would make the trips to the site superfluous. Just chuck it all in the garbage.

Anyone? Anyone?

I think the county dump off of 1st Manassas Road will take sorted items for free. You just have to get it there.
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Thanks. But "Fayette County dump?" (I'm trying to recall whether the place I go is off of Manassas. Also, that is the wrong name for Bull Run. )

The Fayette landfill is where I meant. (I said Waste Management. Maybe that's the wrong designation.) They've started accepting everything together in one big hopper/compactor. Even if there is another place where I may take my recyclables, I am still interested in whether Fayette is still recycling.

I suppose it is possible, but it is hard to imagine, given the way they are now accepting--and compacting--the materials.

I asked that very question of the folks at the Transfer Station on First Manassas Mile. As I understand it, the "recyclables" are transfered to College Park {maybe Forest Park?, maybe Morrow? somewhere up that way} where there is a facility that separates the various products into component parts. I have always thought that I would follow one of those dumpsters one day to see just where they went, but could not afford the time required to sit there and wait for one of them to come by. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Many, many years ago, I took the time to follow the trucks that picked up the enormous recycling bins from a pubic school. (I too wanted to see what was done with the results of a tremendous amount of training and monitoring to implement a recycling program at a large public school.) It was all dumped in the SAME PILE! Many years ago, I was not given an explanation for this. I had hoped that technology and practice had changed over the years. I wholeheartedly supported the training of young people and their parents how to recycle. I agree with your thinking - why separate to combine to re-separate? Does anyone have the answer?

Thanks. That sounds like what the young lady in the trailer told me.

Is it believable? I confess ignorance of the relevant processes. But it is just hard to imagine. Why in the world would step one involve compacting it all into one cubicle blob if later steps involve attempts at separating it? Doesn't this just unnecessarily complicate step two? I just can't see how it makes sense.

YES Fayette Recycles.... And recycling has come a long way you might want to watch a Discover Channel show in it. There is such thing as one bin recycling I do it thru Robertson Sanatation here in PTC it is only an exta $2 a week and my parents here intown do their one bin recycling thru Allied for $2.50 a week. They give you a bin and you put all of your recycling in it since it all gets sorted at the recycling center anyways.... Big Bucks you know they are paying you now to dump appliances even here in the county at Fairburn Redi Mix I think they pay you $14 or 20 an appliance. Target even sells biodegradable diapers for babys (I've been using them for my 1 year old - so good) Reduce, reuse, recycle.... every bit helps

Is what you describe as "one bin recycling" the same as "one squashed-up-into-a-compact-cube recycling"? I mean, it seems to be one thing to do the separating at a later stage. But I am trying to imagine what process they use to pull these cubes of mishmash apart later on.

I saw an episode where the host went to a recycling center, I forget what they called it, started with an 'M' All of the recyclables are dumped on a conveyor belt, low level employees sift through all the items. Reason for a combined collection is that some items we think are recyclable may not be, or tainted somehow. Depending on each center is the ability to recycle specific plastics. One municipality may not be able to recycle your shampoo bottles, while another has the proper equipment.

Thanks. I love that show, but only get to see it if we are staying at a hotel or at my daughter's house. (We have rabbit ear with squares of aluminum for enhanced reception.)

That makes sense.

But what still doesn't make sense to me is the compactor that packs it all tightly together. Wouldn't this hamper later sorting efforts?

I just want to know whether they really are recycling at the Fayette site.

though I am sure that it makes the entire load much easier to transport. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.