Remove recycling obstacles

By Andy Ockenfels

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A recently published local newspaper article titled “Bringing recycling to the other half” highlighted the push for recycling (versus landfilling) by University of Iowa student government and the City of Iowa City's recycling coordinator.

Recycled corrugated cardboard is a very marketable resource. The push to provide education and collection services to keep recyclable cardboard out of Iowa's landfills is a continuing battle. Increased participation of recycling drop sites, University of Iowa single-stream collection programs, and the City of Iowa City Apartment and Condominium Recycling Guide/Pilot Program have helped to reduce recyclables being buried in our landfills. However, there needs to be more!

Fact: 75 percent of the trash sent to the Iowa City Landfill is material that can be recycled or composted.

I encourage business leaders, landlords, individuals, and government entities to do what is needed to remove the obstacles involved in the recycling versus landfilling, starting with corrugated cardboard (boxes).

According to a recent Department of Natural Resources waste study:

l 10 percent of material received at the Iowa City Landfill is corrugated cardboard.

l The statewide average, by weight, of old corrugated cardboard in landfills is 7 percent.

l Cedar Rapids' average, by weight, of corrugated cardboard in landfill is 2 percent. (The Cedar Rapids/Linn County' Solid Waste agency proactively initiated a landfill cardboard ban in 1996.)

Corrugated cardboard boxes are 100 percent recyclable. One of the best uses is making them back into new boxes. The International Paper Mill in Cedar Rapids is the largest 100 percent recycled content mill in North America. They recycle more than 3,000 tons per day of used corrugated boxes. Recycling cardboard boxes provides local employment in collection, processing and manufacturing.

We have the collection, processing and end markets for recycling in the local area. It is time we start the push to get material out of our landfills and into the recycling stream. If this means adjusting city codes to keep all on an even playing field, implementing cardboard bans at the landfill, or providing more convenient collection points, we should listen to our customers and break down the barriers limiting recycling.

City Carton Recycling has been recycling in Iowa City for more than 45 years. As CEO and part owner, it is not a proud moment when I look at what recyclables are being landfilled right in our backyard.

We appreciate those individuals, business, and city programs that are currently recycling. We realize more is needed. We are here to help, but we need backing from all stakeholders.

Andy Ockenfels of Iowa City is CEO, City Carton Recycling. Comments: AOckenfels@CityCarton.com