Here's why you can trust single stream recycling

We are writing in response to the recent My Turn opinion column, "A Dirty Story about Recycling," and the recent follow up story by the Coeur d'Alene Press, "Tarnished Trash." There was misleading and inaccurate information and we need to set the record straight and explain the benefits of single stream recycling.

The opinion column and article claim that the paper Waste Management collects and processes is not being reused or recycled by local paper mills. That claim is false. Additionally, no Waste Management material at Inland Empire Paper (IEP), past or present, has been labeled unusable, warehoused, or destined for landfilling. Under no circumstance would Waste Management knowingly allow our recycling material to be landfilled. It's our business to recycle the materials we sort and process at our facilities. That is why we are the largest recycler in the Pacific Northwest and in North America. We are committed to public education about recycling so that our company receives and produces the most desired material.

Single stream recycling is a system in which all recyclable materials - fiber (newspaper, cardboard, mixed paper, catalogs, magazines and junk mail) and containers (steel, aluminum and plastic containers) are placed, unsorted, in one recycling bin and sorted at our regional recycling center (SMaRT). In the past, residents had to separate all the materials and the materials were kept separate until reaching the end market or mill.

The opinion piece also claimed that single stream recycling might not be beneficial because all materials are mixed together creating greater opportunity for contamination. That claim is false. While materials are collected in one container, Waste Management uses state of the art sorting equipment and technology, along with dedicated employees, to sort and separate recyclables into marketable materials. We take great pride in sorting, separating and processing materials to the highest standard possible. The processed materials from our SMaRT Center feed remanufacturing markets throughout the United States and the world.

Single stream recycling WORKS. The simplicity of a single cart and the program's ability to accommodate a wider range of materials have allowed communities with single stream recycling to collect significantly more recyclables compared to previous dual- or multi-stream programs.

In 2010, the city of Coeur d'Alene partnered with Waste Management to start a single stream recycling program. The amount of recycling material doubled! Today, more than 75 percent of our community participates in the program. Making recycling easier is proven to increase residential participation and significantly reduce materials going to the landfill.

Let's not be misled by false claims. Our community has come a long way in advancing diversion and increasing recycling. Creating a more sustainable community is important, not only for us but for generations to come. As your trusted partner for many decades, we hope this information has been beneficial. Be assured, when you put recyclables in your big blue cart, they are headed for a second life.

Steve Roberge is Waste Management Idaho District Manager and Mike Range is Waste Management Area Recycling Manager.