In a recent effort to enhance recycling initiatives, the City of Davis has collaborated with Recology Davis on a new drop-off program for carton recycling, aiming to curb the flow of packaging waste to landfills. A dedicated bin for collecting cartons, including both refrigerated gable-top and shelf-stable aseptic cartons, is now available 24/7 outside the Recology Recycling Center at 2727 Second St., alongside dumpsters for other recyclables, according to the City of Davis.
The program acknowledges the growing use of cartons and responds to the challenge posed by their inadequate decomposition at composting facilities—it seems that the paper-lined containers, often complete with plastic film and aluminum, are stubborn in surrendering to the forces of compost. Recology Davis, headed by General Manager Justina Vega, is testing the waters with this pilot program before committing to larger, permanent changes; "We are excited to partner with the City in this pilot program for carton recycling," Vega stated in the program's announcement, "This is a great opportunity to further resource recovery efforts in the City of Davis and serves as another step toward Recology's vision of a world without waste," as mentioned by the City of Davis.
Davis Mayor Josh Chapman expressed optimism regarding the new recycling route for cartons, especially after the discovery that they were not breaking down as expected, "Davis has always been at the forefront of recycling, and we hope that Davis residents will help in this effort to properly sort and bring cartons to the recycling center," Chapman said in a statement where cartons, once a part of organics collection, met their match in the Yolo Landfill composting facility, remaining intact throughout the process, a revelation spurring the City of Davis pivot to alternative solutions.
The progress hinges on the community's participation in the new program, for space constraints at the Recology Recycling Center necessitate a trial phase before considering adaptations to the facility's current sorting capabilities, as per the City of Davis. Meanwhile, cartons continue their journey of transformation as they're processed into materials as diverse as construction products and household paper goods, with Davis' carton recycling initiative planting seeds for future industry innovation akin to the much-anticipated facility, set to join the region next year, promising to crush and reconstitute cartons into practical materials like roofing tiles.
