Ring in the New Year with recycling

COEUR d'ALENE - Waste Management has sent out its 2012 recycling calendars, and pickups will remain every other week.

The calendar includes recycling reminders and recycling guidelines for your home. Remember, cereal boxes, cracker boxes, and junk mail are all items which are recyclable, so be sure to add these items to your blue cart.

However, with the holiday season upon us, gift wrap, ribbons, and bows are not recyclable, so keep those out of your bins.

Single stream program has now been in effect in Coeur d'Alene for one year, and more than 4.1 million pounds of materials have been picked up through 245,619 serviced carts.

In the first year, the participation rate reached around 63 percent, compared to about 27 percent before the program began.

With the new program, Blue Bird Recycling, which takes in the collected goods, has gone from accepting seven to 17 items for recycling.

Glass and plastic bags are two of the only regular household items the program does not accept. Although infrequent, such items slow the process. Plastic bags can, however, be dropped off at the Kootenai County Transfer Station on Ramsey Road.

Info: Waste Management at 765-4968.