When metro residents fill their green bin with papers, plastics, cardboard and cans, recyclables will now go from the curb to the new Metro Recycling Facility in Grimes. The plant aims to improve the recycling process with sustainability at the center. Executive Director of Metro Waste Authority Michael McCoy says residents can now feel confident their recyclables won’t end up in a landfill.
“What we can guarantee is the peace of mind that what you’re putting in there will be recycled and will be sold into another commodity to make a plastic widget or a new cardboard box,” McCoy said. “All of our stuff today is being sold domestically to mills — cardboard mills, paper mills — literally making more of your tissue paper or more of your cardboard boxes.”
The plant will process items from the Curb It! recycling program, but McCoy said they’re also getting requests to process recyclables from across the Midwest. He said that’s because the facility features advanced technology that reduces contamination and provides a better output for material sales.