Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept cartons? |
Yes! We announced on America Recycles Day that we are now able to accept both food and beverage cartons!
|
I have an old computer. Can I put it in my recycling container? |
No. Placing an unwanted electronic device in your recycling container poses an environmental problem should that item become damaged or crushed. Hazardous Materials, such as lead and mercury, can leach out and contaminate our environment. Dispose of your unwanted electronics at a local E-Cycle event or by contacting Goodwill Industries for drop-off locations.
|
I have hypodermic needles. Are they recyclable? |
No. Hypodermic needles in the recycling stream not only pose a serious injury hazard to our employees, but also a health hazard. Please dispose of your used hypodermic needles responsibly. Our plant workers are our family and we want to keep them healthy and safe! For more information visit our Handle With Care page.
|
I have a metal pan. Is it recyclable? |
Not in single stream recycling, like your curbside recycling container. If the pan is in good condition, then consider donating it to an organization such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
|
Can I recycle juice boxes and soup stock boxes? |
No. The process used to make these items makes them non-recyclable at our facility.
|
Can pizza boxes be recycled? |
Yes and no. Paper mills require clean paper for recycling. If you remove the insert of have a pizza box without grease on it, then it can be recycled. If the box has cheese or grease residue on it, then it cannot be recycled. It would be considered a contaminant and must be put in the trash. If you have a pizza box that is greasy on the bottom, but the lid is free of grease, then you can separate the two sections, placing the clean lid in the recycling container and the greasy bottom in the trash.
|
What does it mean when recyclables are contaminated? |
Recyclables become contaminated when unacceptable materials are placed with recyclables. Some examples of contamination are food spilled on otherwise clean paper or cardboard or non-recyclable items, such as flower pots or window glass mixed in with the containers.
|
Why is it important to sort my recyclables according to guidelines? |
The processing facility is made of sorting mechanisms designed to produce the highest quality materials at a manageable cost. Too much time spent picking contaminants out of the material stream or unclogging machinery increases expenses and decreases the quality of material that is sold to end-markets. It is important to remember that your recycled materials will be used to make new products, so it is important to follow the guidelines on what is recyclable and what is not.
|
Is recycling mandatory? |
No. In Virginia and North Carolina, recycling services are offered as an option to divert recyclable materials from ending up in the landfill. Though it's not mandatory to recycle, some Hampton Roads' cities reward residents for actively recycling. For more information on this, visit our Recycling Perks page.
|
What happens to my recyclables? |
After your recyclables are collected, they are transported to TFC Recycling's Material Recovery Facility (MRF). The recyclable mixed paper is baled and placed into large tractor-trailers and hauled to a paper mill for recycling. The bottles and cans (containers) are sorted using mechanical equipment. Some of our plant works also do sorting as the material moves along the conveyor belts. Once the containers are sorted into type (aluminum, plastic, glass, etc.) they are compacted and baled. After this process, they are hauled to a variety of companies that use the material as feedstock for new products.
|
If a product has a "recycle" symbol on it, doesn't that mean it's recyclable?
|
Not always. The triangular symbol we typically associate with recyclable items is not an indication that an item can be recycled. The recycling symbol has become a popular addition to many items we buy; however, it's placement on plastic is unregulated. There isn't a governmental authority controlling who places the symbol on what product, be it recyclable or not.
|
What are the most common items I can place in my recycling container? |
|
Why is it good to recycle? |
Because it helps save the planet!
|
For more frequently asked questions, please visit one of the following pages:
Aluminum FAQs
Glass FAQs
Paper FAQs
Plastic FAQS
Aluminum FAQs
Glass FAQs
Paper FAQs
Plastic FAQS
