1. This PowerPoint presentation provides basic information needed by volunteers to assist recyclers in sorting their items at the Miller Recycling Center. It is necessary to supplement the text on the individual slides with the information contained in the “notes” pane of the Normal (Tri-Pane) PowerPoint View. You can resize the panes by clicking and dragging their boundaries.

2. PRoKansas Miller Recycling Center
725 East Clark
Not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization
Volunteer based
PRoKansas is the acronym for “Plastics Recycling of Kansas, Inc”. Although our original mission was to locate markets for recycled plastics, we realized that if we kept our full name some folks would mistakenly believe that we only accept plastics for recycling.
The Center is named after Paul and Margaret Miller. The Millers began organizing Wichita recycling drives in 1988, were instrumental in having recycling dumpsters placed in local grocery store parking lots and currently provide leadership for the Waste Control and Recycling Coalition. They were recently recognized by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for their dedication in organizing recycling efforts. The Millers volunteer at the Center on a regular basis.
The Center, which is can be difficult for some people to find, is located at: 725 East Clark (on the southwest corner of Clark and Mead). Clark is three blocks north of Pawnee or one block south of MtVernon. Mead is five blocks east of Broadway or two blocks west of Washington. Mead runs adjacent to railroad tracks. We are just west of the tracks.
PRoKansas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. As such, we are willing to accept marginally profitable items that for-profit firms would choose not to accept. This ability to collect a wide range of products, along with our reputation of putting “purpose over profits”, has produced a loyal and dedicated following among a growing number of recyclers in our community. A Board of Directors that meets monthly governs the Center. Donations are tax-deductible.
The Miller Recycling Center lives and breathes because of the efforts of the many volunteers who give so much of their time. The Center employs two full-time employees to oversee the operation of the facility. Volunteers perform all other work. Thank you for wanting to be a part of this effort.

3. Our Customers General public who come to our Center
Local businesses and churches
Outlying communities
Environmental groups, school clubs, Scout groups, etc.
Most of our collections are received from the general public who bring their recyclables to us during our regular open hours. These are the people you will be assisting.
Collections from the other groups listed are generally received during our off hours. These groups usually provide their own workers to do their unloading and sorting. Most of the businesses that we deal with give us only one product, usually corrugated cardboard or glass. We are more than willing to help any outside group set up their own recycling drives.

4. Open Hours 9:00 to 3:00 Saturday 1:00 to 4:00 Tuesday & Thursday
These are the hours that we are officially open. It never ceases to amaze us how many people assume that we are open 8 to 5, seven days a week. With more volunteers we would certainly consider extending our hours.
We have learned that our clients will venture out in all kinds of weather to recycle with us. Closing the unheated Center because of the weather is not an option that we take lightly. (We will seriously consider closing the Center if the forecasted high temperature is below 22 degrees). Please dress accordingly. Regardless of the weather, if we are not at the Center during regular open hours to monitor it, people who have already spent time loading their car will leave their stuff outside in our parking lot.
We will close the Center if a major holiday falls Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.
If a recycler wishes to come to the Center during our off hours, they are required to call ahead to make sure that we will be able to accommodate them.

5. Items Accepted Plastic products Paper products Glass bottles
Aluminum and tin cans
Other items
The items that we accept at the Center can be broken down into these five broad categories.

6. Plastic Categories #1 transparent bottles #2 cloudy containers
#2 colored containers
Mixed plastic
Plastic bags
While plastics accounts for only 8% of our shipments, they provide 35% of our revenue. We are one of the very few centers in the state that accept mixed plastic and plastic bags.
The plastic category is further divided into these five specific categories.
When people come to our Center they separate their items by placing them in large corrugated cardboard boxes called gaylords. Each gaylord box is a little larger than one cubic yard in size. These boxes are placed on pallets and are positioned underneath steel frames from which examples of what goes in it are hanging by strings. There is also a descriptive sign identifying and further explaining each specific category. As you help sort the stuff that an individual brings, you can refer to these signs to verify that the items meet the various requirements and are being placed in the right gaylord. This same collection design is used for all of the things that we accept, not just for plastics.
So, you will find some boxes that only #1 transparent bottles are placed in, some that only newspapers are placed in, some that only aluminum cans are placed in and so on.

7. Plastic Resin Codes with Examples
#1 PET or PETE
Pop & water bottles
#2 HDPE
Milk & detergent jugs
#3 Polyvinyl Chloride
Various clear containers
#4 LDPE
Plastic grocery bags
#5 Polypropylene PP
Margarine & yogurt tubs
#6 Polystyrene PS
Foam: meat trays, Styrofoam
Non-foam: hard plastic
#7 Other or combination
Various products
The numbered codes surrounded by the “chasing arrows” recycling symbol found on the bottom of plastic containers are a plastic resin identification system developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry in They categorized hundreds of plastic resins into just seven major categories. Some consumers see the familiar symbol with the chasing arrows and assume that ALL containers are recyclable. This is NOT true. This can be confusing for many people, and understandably so! The Plastic Industry, in conjunction with the National Recycling Coalition, attempted to overhaul the coding system in 1994, without success.
We do not accept #3, #6 products that are “foam” and unidentified plastic products.
We do accept non-foam #6 products.

8. Plastic Manufacturing Processes
Blow-molded
production“seam” on the bottom
dull surface sheen
Injection-molded
injection “button” on the bottom
Shiny surface
Unfortunately it is not enough to separate plastic items according to their numbered resin codes. Although similar numbered items are all made with the same resin, this alone is not enough to insure their compatibility during the reprocessing stage. In other words, we can’t just put all #1’s together, all #2’s together, and so on. Before we get into the specifics of identifying which gaylord a particular item is placed in, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of two common types of processes used in the manufacture of plastic items.
Let’s talk about just #2 plastics:
BLOW-MOLD PROCESS
Plastics manufactured using this process have a low melt temperature. Key characteristics are stiffness and strength. Almost without exception, the container’s opening is smaller than its base. It has a neck. Blow-molded containers also have a dull surface sheen. You want to look for a “seam” on the bottom of the container. This identifies that it has been blow-molded. Milk and laundry detergent jugs are the common examples. All containers with jug handles are blow-molded.
INJECTION-MOLD PROCESS
Plastics manufactured using this process have a higher melt temperature. The key characteristic of an injected-molded item is its lightness and “tub” shape. Their opening is always larger than their base. Injection-molded containers also have a shiny surface. You want to look for an injection “button” on the bottom of the container. This identifies that it has been injection-molded. Whipped topping, margarine, and yogurt tubs are the common examples.
Please do not become overwhelmed with all of this information. It will make sense once you have been helping for an hour or so. Just be aware that you will need to sort plastics by looking for either a “seam” or a “button” on the bottom of the containers as you are also looking for the resin code number inside the chasing arrow symbol. The signs above the gaylords will have all of this information for you.

9. #1 Transparent Bottles Category requirements: Examples:
#1, bottle or jar, transparent, injection-molded (button)
Examples:
Soft-drink, water & sports drink bottles
Dish detergent, mouthwash, liquor, salad dressing, cooking oil, ketchup, household cleaners, peanut butter, etc.
While most of the bottles that go in this category are clear, light green (7up) and light blue bottles go here in addition to the clear ones.
It is important that ONLY TRANSPARENT PLASTIC BOTTLES AND JARS go in this category. Many people put their #1, thin clear, produce trays and drink cups in this category. Although these are #1 clear products, they NOT a bottle or a jar and should go in the Mixed Plastic gaylord.
Here is how an experienced volunteer sorts this category:
1) Grab a transparent bottle or jar. If it contained something a person would drink or eat, it goes in this category.
2) If it did not contain an edible product, turn it over. If it has an injection button, put it in the gaylord. If you find a production seam instead of a button, it is a #3. Give it back to the person and explain that we cannot accept #3, PVC products.
There are just two exceptions to these rules. Both of these exceptions go in the Mixed Plastic.
Real dark bottles. These include: prune juice, some liquor bottles and A&W Root Beer (all very dark brown) and lemon juice (dark green).
The original 2 liter soft-drink bottles with the black base. We are seeing fewer and fewer of these relics.
Most people remove the caps from their bottles. This is preferable because the air inside of them needs to escape when we smash them in the baler. If someone has left the caps on all of their bottles go ahead and put them in the gaylord but tell them that, in the future, we would appreciate them either removing the caps or unscrewing them half of a turn. Explain why. Once we started doing this, our pop bottle bales were 100 pounds heavier. This rule only applies to pop & water bottles. It doesn’t matter if the caps are left on containers in any other category.

10. #2 Cloudy Containers Category requirements: Examples:
#2, cloudy, blow-molded (seam)
Examples:
Milk, vinegar, distilled water & Sunny Delight
Bulk commercial salad dressing, windshield cleaning solution, rubbing alcohol, etc.
This category takes a little more work in making a determination than the previous category does. Not all cloudy containers are #2. Not all #2 cloudy containers are blow-molded. And finally, you can’t even assume that all milk jugs are cloudy! All three of the category requirements must be met.
Here’s how to do it:
1) Pick up a cloudy container
2) Turn it over and look for the “seam” (if it has a “button” don’t go any further, put it in Mixed Plastic)
3) If it has a “seam” keep looking for the #2. If it is a #2, toss it in the gaylord. If it is not a #2, put it in Mixed Plastic.
Containers that are typically misplaced in this category include: Arizona Tea jugs, salsa & picante sauce, syrup, and Welch’s & Naked brand drinks. You should be able to tell that these #7 cloudy containers look slightly more transparent than the typical #2 milk container. Milk purchased at Aldi’s come in solid white, not cloudy, containers and should be placed with #2 Colored containers.
We only want “white” cloudy containers in this category. Colored cloudy containers (usually light blue but sometimes pink) should be downgraded to the #2 Colored category.
In the recycling business, these items are referred to as “#2 Natural”

11. #2 Colored Containers Category requirements: Examples:
#2, solid color, blow-molded (seam)
Examples:
Laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softener, white milk jugs, Folgers coffee, cat litter, 409, Shout (and other hand pump spray products) disinfecting wipes, automotive fluids, shampoo products, etc.
This category has the same requirements as the #2 Cloudy category except we want colored, opaque containers instead of cloudy containers. The containers vary in size from very large cat litter containers to very small medicine containers.
Here is the sorting procedure:
1) Pick up a solid color container and see if it has a shiny or dull surface as you are turning it over to look at its base.
2) If it has a dull appearance, expect to find a “seam”. If it has a “seam” (indicating that it has been blow-molded) look for the #2 code. If it has the #2 code, put it in. Others go in Mixed Plastic.
3) If it has a shiny appearance, expect to find a “button”. If it has a “button” (indicating that it has been injection molded) , put in Mixed Plastic.
A lot of pump spray containers go in this category. Remove the spray mechanism (because it contains a metal spring) and throw it away before putting the container in the gaylord.
This is a difficult category for many people to understand. Consequently, we get numerous items here that should have been put in Mixed Plastic. People often mistakenly place tub shaped containers and #1 solid color containers here. Please help by removing them and putting them in the Mixed Plastic.
If you want to only put appropriate large and medium size containers in the gaylord, that is acceptable. Sometimes the plastic container (most often a medicine container) is so small that you need a magnifying glass to see the #2 resin number inside the chasing arrows. If this is the case, just put it in Mixed Plastic and move on.
If an automotive fluid container (usually antifreeze or oil) has been drained, go ahead and toss it in. If the lid is still on the container, remove it and check to see if it has been drained. If there is more than a teaspoon or so of product left in the container, tell the person that our buyer will not accept it. If there is just a small amount of product, go ahead and toss it in. If it is filthy, tell the person that our buyer requires that the plastic be cleaner before we can accept it.
In the recycling business, these items are referred to as “#2 Pigmented”

12. Mixed Plastic Category requirements: Examples:
All numbered household plastic containers not specified in one of the previous plastic categories
We do NOT accept #3 (PVC) and foam type #6 (polystyrene & Styrofoam) products!
Examples:
Cottage & cream cheese, margarine, “whipped” topping and yogurt tubs, fast food cups, food trays, clear thin produce trays and plant pots
This category represents our lowest grade plastic. Items placed here must meet two requirements:
1) The product must have a chasing arrow resin code number on it.
2) The product must not be a #3 or a foam-type #6.
#3 products (PVC) are not accepted because they give off toxic chlorine fumes during reprocessing. Foam #6 products are not accepted because of transportation issues related to their extreme light weight. We do, however, accept non-foam #6 products as Mixed Plastic. These #6 products are usually clear thin produce trays and various “hard” plastic items like CD jewel cases. Non-numbered products are unacceptable because their base resin cannot be determined.
ALL plastic tubs and clear plastic trays go here in Mixed Plastic.
Plastics in the previous three categories (#1 transparent, #2 cloudy and #2 colored) will not “contaminate” Mixed Plastic if they are mistakenly placed there. If someone brings a bag of items that appear to be predominately Mixed Plastic, you can empty the entire bag in a Mixed Plastic gaylord and pull out the larger #1s and #2s, cloudy & colored. If some of the #1s and #2s are left with the Mixed Plastic, that is okay. It is also okay to put all small containers (like medicine containers) in this category, regardless if they could be placed in another plastic category.
Many people bring us the items in this category because we are the only place in Wichita that will accept them. While the requirements should seem clear, in practice there is some ambiguity. If an item doesn’t fit the requirements, ask a more experienced volunteer for some guidance. Some problems arise when an item fits the requirements but is just too large for us to accept. Tell the recycler, “I don’t know if we can take something this large, let me get an approval before we accept it.” Most folks recognize that we are providing a useful service at the Center and understand that we just can’t accept everything. Very, very few people will argue with you. Begin by telling the person that you don’t know why we don’t accept a particular product but you do know that our buyer, for whatever reason, doesn’t’ want us to take it. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation call over the person in charge, usually the Operations Director, to help out.

13. Plastic Bags Category requirements: Examples: #2 & #4 polyethylene
Clean and dry
No “crunchy” bags (usually #5)
Examples:
Regular shopping bags, dry cleaning bags, bread bags, newspaper bags, six-pack carriers
Our recycling center is one of only a very few centers in the state that accepts plastic bags. All of our bags go to a St. Louis company named Trex that makes plastic lumber.
Trex only wants clean and dry polyethylene bags (#2 and #4). Many bags are actually numbered with the chasing arrow symbol. Cloudy 6 pack can carriers are also put here. Some bags (like the kind Oreo cookies, spaghetti and chocolate chips are packaged in) are made out of polypropylene (which is #5). If it is “crunchy”, it is probably polypropylene and should be rejected. All bags with a “seam” down the back should be rejected. Frozen food bags should also be rejected because they have a harmful filler (EVA) that is used to keep out oxygen. Other bags that should be rejected include: cereal box liners, salt bags (used to soften water or melt ice), and bags with rigid plastic or rope handles along with zip-lock type bags with a slider. Throw them away. Do not accept food contaminated bags. Clear bags are the most valuable. Trex does not want “a lot” of white or black trash bags so we can be more critical of these.
We actually have very few problems with this category. Make a quick check, if possible, to confirm that the bags are clean and dry. If you receive a large bag that contains smaller plastic bags, squeeze it in various places to assure yourself that there is nothing inside that shouldn’t be. You obviously can’t be 100% sure and you are not expected to open the bag to do a thorough check unless you have a suspicion that something inside needs to be removed. Many bags that end up in this category were brought to the Center containing products to be recycled. If you noticed, while sorting, that these products were wet, do not put the bag in the plastic bag gaylord. Throw it away or return it to the person who brought it.
In the recycling industry, this category is referred to as plastic “film”.

14. Paper Categories Newspaper Magazines and catalogs Office paper
White ledger paper
Corrugated cardboard
Mixed paper and junk mail
Books (paperback and hardback)
We collect paper in these seven specific categories.

15. Newspaper
Everything that comes in the newspaper is recycled with the newspapers
Must remove from plastic or paper bags
No other types of paper
This category is pretty straightforward and we have very few problems with our newspaper collection. There is no need to pull out the ads, “magazines”, or other “slick” paper. Indeed, we prefer that they be left in! There are, however, three minor issues:
Make sure that the papers are removed from the plastic or paper sacks that they were brought to the center in.
2) If you see a bright colored, “neon” (often fluorescent) 8½ by 11 inch single sheet flyer, remove it and put it in the Mixed Paper. Large car dealerships are notorious for advertising with them.
3) Our buyer doesn’t want old, yellowed newsprint or wet newsprint. Put them in Mixed Paper.
Other newsprint type paper may be placed with the newspapers provided there is no adhesive (like in the binding of cheap paperback books) with the product. Staples are okay. If it is easier to think of this category as being for newspapers only and put the rest of the newsprint paper products in Mixed Paper, that is okay.
Office Paper and junk mail are the items most often misplaced in this category. We think that people mistakenly believe that they are somehow “fortifying” our newsprint by including these products. Please remove any that you see and place it where it should go.
Some of our recyclers take the time to remove the glossy newspaper inserts and put them with the magazines. While this is technically okay, it is totally unnecessary. Our newspaper buyer doesn’t care if the glossy inserts are included with the newspapers and the price differential that we get for newspapers and magazines is just too small to be an issue.
On a typical Saturday we will collect 8 gaylords of newspaper. In order to keep the gaylords filling up at the same rate, please take the newspapers that you get to the gaylord that is furthest away from the main traffic flow. Also, try to aim for the “corners” of the gaylord so that the inside space is most effectively utilized.
There are several grades of newsprint. The Wichita Eagle is printed on #8 grade. Our newspaper category is referred to as either “News #8” or “ONP” (Old Newsprint).

16. Magazines and Catalogs
Slick, coated paper magazines and catalogs
includes anything that came in it
Other slick-finish paper
like some junk mail inserts, wall calendars and other papers with that slick magazine feel
Plastic wrap and such must be removed
We only want slick, glossy, coated paper in this category. This not only includes most magazines and catalogs but also wall calendars and many advertising flyers. If a calendar or other product with glossy paper has a metal wire or plastic binder put it in Mixed Paper. Beware of annual report type publications. They are often made with higher quality, non-glossy paper and should be put in Office Paper. Most people don’t want to go to the trouble to remove the slick paper from their junk mail. Go ahead and put all junk mail in Mixed Paper.

17. Office Paper White & pastel paper and envelopes
Includes “annual report” type publications
NO slick or glossy paper
NO dark or bright color papers, manila envelopes or file folders
Windows in envelopes are okay as are staples and paperclips.
The items that we accept in this category are pretty straightforward. Envelopes with windows are acceptable. While white and pastel paper is acceptable, we need to remove dark, “neon” or fluorescent paper and downgrade it to Mixed Paper. The purpose here is to provide a product to the mills that will require the least amount of bleach necessary to whiten the paper during reprocessing. Please remove from the gaylord and throw away self-adhesion products (like sheets of return address labels). The adhesive is a contaminant. Small metal items like staples and metal paper clips are okay. Products with a metal wire or plastic binder should be placed in Mixed Paper.
Annual report type publications are acceptable. If their cover is glossy, you can tear it off if you have time. Sometimes the first 15 or 20 pages of the annual report are glossy and must be torn off and placed with the magazines.
Some people accidentally put extremely dark or bright color papers, manila envelopes, file folders and such in this category. They should all go with the Mixed Paper.
We are currently downgrading shredded paper to Mixed Paper. If someone accidentally put their shredded paper in the Office Paper gaylord, try to cover it up with sheets of office paper to discourage others from seeing it and doing likewise.

18. White Ledger Paper High quality, bright white “office” paper
Computer paper, stationery, most copy paper, some high grade paper removed from books or manuals and building plans.
No envelopes (it’s the windows & yucky glue)
No slick, colored or yellow, aged paper
Only experienced volunteers are to sort this category of paper
This category is different in that we do not have our White Ledger Paper gaylord set out with the rest of the gaylords. It is located elsewhere in the Center. This type of paper is primo and is worth at least twice as much as our regular office paper. It is very important that we do not allow unacceptable paper to be mixed in with it if we are to receive its full value. Because of this, we do not allow the general public or new volunteers to decide what is and what is not white ledger paper.
After you have become familiar with the other sorting procedures, find the white ledger paper gaylord and look in it. You will find that it is being filled with very good quality, bright white paper. Staples are acceptable. Volunteers pulled a lot of this paper out of the Office Paper gaylord. Some of it was removed from books. If you notice a thick stack (one inch or so) of good quality white paper in the Office Paper gaylord, show it to an experienced sorter to see if it qualifies to be upgraded to white ledger paper. No colored paper, slick paper, low-grade paper, or envelopes (it’s the windows and adhesive) is acceptable. If the paper has yellowed, its quality is not high enough for this category. There is nothing wrong with leaving paper that is technically white ledger paper in with the rest of the Office Paper. At this time, for you to just know that this separate category exists is sufficient.

19. Heavy Corrugated Cardboard
Includes brown paper sacks
No extremely thin corrugated cardboard
Oftentimes with a glossy surface
Corrugated cardboard can be identified by seeing the “wavy” paper sandwiched in between the inner and outer sides. It is just about always brown but the side paper is sometimes colored, usually white. Moving boxes provide the best example. Regular brown paper sacks (without rope handles) are the only other product recycled with corrugated cardboard. It is okay to accept cardboard with large metal staples and a reasonable amount of tape (including duct tape). If it has an extreme amount of tape that cannot be easily removed, we will probably throw it away. Waxed corrugated cardboard boxes are used in the grocery business to transport fresh produce. Downgrade these boxes to Mixed Paper.
As straightforward as it seems, this category has one common exception. The cardboard container industry is able to make corrugated cardboard so thin that it is difficult to see the wavy pattern. Technically it is corrugated, but we are really looking for the thicker, stronger cardboard for this category. Put the thin, shiny stuff in Mixed Paper.
The less we handle the material coming into our Center the more efficient we are. Because we tend to get large quantities of corrugated cardboard on Saturdays, we try to be compacting it into bales on Saturdays. Once you become proficient in identifying good quality corrugated cardboard you will be able to take a stack of it directly from a car’s trunk and place it in the baler. It is not required that a box be flattened before putting it in the baler and there are safety issues involved when a worker uses a knife to cut the tape to flatten the box. Only volunteers older than 18 who have been specifically trained in the operation of the balers are allowed to use them.
You might hear us referring to corrugated cardboard as OCC. The acronym stands for “Old Corrugated Container”.

20. Mixed Paper
Cereal, soft drink, shoe and tissue boxes, tablet backing, toilet paper & paper towel inner rolls and other “light” cardboard or pasteboard
Cardboard products that are gray inside
Junk mail, manila envelopes, file folders
Dark paper & bright neon, fluorescent paper
Very thin (usually shiny) corrugated cardboard
Paper egg cartons and similar packing products
Telephone directories
Although this is our lowest-grade of paper, the price that we receive for it is consistently more than half of what we get for our higher-grade paper products. (We used to call this category “Low-Grade Paper”.) The slide does a pretty good job of identifying the products that are collected in this category. Cereal box liners must be removed and thrown away. They cannot be recycled at our Center. The plastic film on the top of Kleenex boxes is allowable. The serrated metal edge on aluminum foil boxes must be removed. Have someone show you how to safely tear it off. Some round oatmeal containers have a plastic edge that must be pulled off. One-half gallon, plastic coated paper orange juice type containers can be placed here. Please remove the plastic cap.
Junk mail and wet newspapers are collected in this category.
Spiral notebooks and calendars (with wire still attached) are also included here.
Because we collect so much Mixed Paper, we are usually baling it in the horizontal baler when we are open. Just put it in the pit at the bottom of the conveyer. Check to make sure that it doesn’t contain other products as you are dumping it in.
Many paper products in this category, like egg cartons, are gray (or are gray inside after being torn). The gray color comes from the ink on previously recycled newspaper.

21. Books (all types are accepted)
Paperback
Small romance novels (mass market)
Larger, better quality books (trade paper)
Hardback
Glued bindings
Sewn bindings
We accept all kinds of books at our Center. One of our volunteers is responsible for maintaining the library at the Center. He also processes the books that nobody wants. If he is working in that area, ask him where he would like for you to put books that people donate to us. If nobody is there, just put the books in a stack out of the way on the floor. If possible, leave them in their box.
If there is a line of cars waiting outside, people should move their car to the parking lot after sorting their items if they want to browse through our library. If you feel uncomfortable asking a person to move their car, notify the Operations Director.
People are free to take as many books as they would like and are encouraged to make a donation to the Center. The white donation box is on the centrally located information table.
You too are free to help yourself to books, magazines, moving boxes, interesting glass bottles or whatever else we accept. Please use common sense and ask the person in charge if you think there might be a question about you taking something. Obviously, not everything at the center is free for the taking.

22. Glass Containers Food and beverage containers
Labels do not need to be removed
Pyrex & Corningware type cooking items
Drinking glasses and plate glass
Other types of glass products are accepted with approval only
Because of its very low value (1/2 cent per pound), glass is accepted at very few locations in our community. We currently make around $50 per week on our glass collection.
Place glass in the dark blue, rolling containers. At this time we do not color sort our glass into different containers. All colors are mixed together. Many of us find the working environment less stressful when we do not have to listen to the jolting sound of breaking glass. Not only is the sound of shattering glass startling but it is often accompanied by small shreds of glass flying out of the container. Have an experienced sorter show you how to safely put quantities of bottles in the containers without breaking them. (You essentially place the box or sack of glass items in the container and tip it over while removing the box or sack.) It is best for metal lids to be removed and placed with the Tin Cans. Plastic lids should go with the Mixed Plastic. However, unless you are wearing gloves do not reach into the glass container to remove the lids that are still on bottles.
We can accept windowpanes and other types of glass. Because there are so many different types of glass, we cannot anticipate what someone will bring. We cannot accept mirrors, light bulbs, headlights, windshields, etc. If it is not listed on the PowerPoint slide, obtain approval first.
Every once in a while someone will show up with food bottles that are filthy. Don’t worry about being tactful or making the people who brought them uncomfortable. Just say, “Our buyer doesn’t want us to take glass containers that haven’t been rinsed out.” (This, of course, applies to everything coming into our center) If they have just one or two bottles, offer to throw them away. If there are more, tell them that we have very limited trash space and ask if they can take them home. This last statement is true. While we collect 20 tons of items to be recycled weekly, we only have 6 household size trash containers that we can fill up each week. This represents less than 1% of the material passing through our doors.

23. Aluminum Cans Soft drink, beer, and other beverage containers only.
Aluminum cat food cans, foil, and disposable pans & trays go in the box on the floor between the tin cans and aluminum beverage cans.
We get more money per pound for aluminum cans than any other product that we accept. As you know, people can take their cans many places in Wichita and get paid for them. If you see someone putting aluminum cans in the gaylord, please thank them. I usually just say, “Thank you for giving us your aluminum cans”. They know why they are important to us. You can’t assume that just because someone brought a bag of aluminum cans to the center they want to give them to us. Always ask, “Were you planning on giving us this bag of aluminum cans?” before removing them from their car. If they say yes but seem confused, say “Some people prefer to take them someplace else for money”.
Some folks flatten their cans but most people bring them to us unflattened. It really doesn’t matter.
Problems arise when people bring us small cat food cans. Some of these cans are made out of aluminum and some are steel. If a cat food type can has a white liner in it, you can assume that it is aluminum. We have a magnet hanging near the steel and aluminum can gaylords to help you determine what the can is made out of. The magnet will not stick to aluminum. Some volunteers bring their own magnets. If you determine that a can is made out of aluminum it should be placed in the box on the floor that separates the tin cans from the aluminum cans. If it is steel, you can put it with the tin cans. We know that this operation is tedious and if you need some help, especially with large quantities, just ask.
We also collect foil, disposable and non-disposable aluminum cooking containers, and aluminum cat food cans. Just toss them in the box that we have beside the aluminum cans. We refer to this category as “non-beverage can aluminum”. Only aluminum beverage cans (predominantly pop, beer and V8 cans) are to be placed in the aluminum can gaylord.
DO NOT put aluminum cans in the roll off dumpster adjacent to the south overhead door. The cans must be weighed first. Always put them in one of the gaylords.

24. Tin (steel) Cans Labels can be left on
Steel bottle caps from glass containers are okay.
No scrap steel
It is just as important not to get any aluminum cans in with the steel cans as visa-versa. Utilize the magnet to help you decide.
If ridging surrounds a can, you can assume that it is steel.
If you see someone who has removed the labels from their cans (or glass bottles), you might politely mention to them that they are not required to remove labels from any item that they bring to the Center. They will probably respond by telling you why they will keep removing them.
Steel bottle caps from glass bottles can go here but we really don’t want anything else. Some people want to put their scrap steel here. We currently have a roll-of dumpster in the south yard for scrap steel. We cannot accept clothes hangers, steel wire, chain link fence, coil springs, etc. If you see any scrap steel in the tin can gaylord, please remove it. By and large we have very few problems with this category. Be careful, the can tops have sharp edges. Some people have can openers that leave the sharp edge on the can. Treat steel cans as you would glass. If you must reach into the tin can gaylord, wear gloves.

25. Other Items Accepted
Toner and ink cartridges from laser and inkjet printers, copiers, and fax machines
Regular corded and cordless telephones, answering machines, cell phones, pagers and chargers
Other electronic items with approval
Batteries (household rechargeable and automotive)
Eyeglasses
We have two upright boxes adjacent to the magazine gaylord for ink cartridges and cell phones. We can accept small electronic items like: answering machines, Caller ID boxes, radios, tape players, etc. Put them under the table in front of the office. At this time we can accept small quantities of computers, monitors, keyboards, etc. The company that picks them up does not want us to advertise this fact. Check with the person in charge before accepting anything large.
Regular carbon-zinc (“heavy duty”) and alkaline batteries can be safely disposed of with household trash. We really want to accept only nickel-cadmium, lithium, and lead-acid (“Pb”) dry cell, rechargeable batteries. We will also collect “button” (hearing aid type) batteries because of their possible mercury composition.
Automotive batteries present a special case. Because the Center does not own the required protective clothing to pick up and carry an auto battery, the person bringing the battery to the Center must physically carry it themselves from their car to the battery collection pallet. If someone wants to donate an auto battery to us, check with the person in charge.
The eyeglasses that we collect are given to the local Lion’s Club.

26. Items NOT Accepted at the Center
Hazardous waste
Oil,, antifreeze, insecticides, herbicides, paint
Containers made with two unrelated products
Anything that is dirty or has food in it
Non-container plastics
Vinyl ,toys, hoses, packaging, large plastic items
PVC (#3), meat tray, take-out food containers, Styrofoam (foam #6) and unmarked plastics
Folks who volunteer tend to be nice people who like to please others. It is difficult for them to tell people who have taken the time to bring us their things that we can’t accept them. If this applies to you, believe me, the longer you work at the center the less this will be a problem. If you even suspect that we might not accept something that someone has brought, just tell the person, “I’m new here and I’ll have to check to see if we can accept this”. Go to a more experienced volunteer and ask for some assistance. I usually just say, “Our buyer won’t accept these items”. The people will usually understand and take their stuff back with them. Don’t let people put large chunks of Styrofoam in our trash containers. We just don’t have room for it.
We have some copies of a brochure published by Sedgwick County that tells where and how hazardous waste should be disposed. The brochure is located on the center table. Give a copy to the recycler. The county household hazardous waste center is located on Stillwell Street, one block south of West High School.
Many products are made with two or more unrelated products. Some products (like Pringles, nuts, and orange juice) are marketed in a round cardboard container with a metal bottom. The metal bottom is impossible to remove from the cardboard body. Breyer’s ice cream is packaged with a lid that is made with both paper and plastic. All of these types of items must be thrown away. On the other hand, there are products like aluminum foil boxes and salt containers where it is easy enough to remove the serrated tear strip and metal spout before recycling the remaining cardboard as Mixed Paper.
Sometimes people will bring a pickup load of extremely filthy items to our center. Go directly to the person in charge. Our goal is to reject the whole load before any of it is removed. You don’t get paid enough to be a referee in this kind of situation. We will not accept people’s trash. Period.

27. Procedure for Helping Sort Items Under Two Scenarios
Heavy traffic and/or few volunteers
Recyclers do their own unloading and sorting
Light traffic and/or plenty of volunteers
Volunteers help with the actual unloading and sorting (procedure covered on the next slide)
When you get to the Center your actual job description will depend on two things: the anticipated amount of traffic and the number of scheduled volunteers.
When we have fewer volunteers, we will let the folks do all of their own unloading and sorting. Our role will be limited to answering their questions as to where things should go and making sure that the gaylords only have the correct items in them. We will, of course, help anyone who is physically disabled or otherwise can’t do their own sorting regardless of the particular situation. Many of the instructions on the next slide also apply to this situation. For instance, we want to always welcome folks to our center, tell them that , “If you have any questions, please ask us”, and thank them for coming. We just do not expect you to run yourself ragged because we are understaffed on any particular day. Most of the folks who recycle with us understand that if we are able to help them unload and sort, we will. When our center is operating in this mode with fewer volunteers, it will become even more important that the gaylords be regularly checked for items that were misplaced in them.
When we have plenty of volunteers, we try to help the recyclers as much as we can. This includes meeting them at their car, unloading some of their items and actually sorting it into the correct gaylord. This process is explained more completely on the next slide.

28. Procedure for Helping Sort Items when we have Plenty of Volunteers
Approach and welcome the recycler to our Center
Determine the level of assistance needed
Inform the recycler of anything new
If needed, help with sorting into the appropriate gaylords
Finally, thank the person for recycling with us
Wait until a recycler is out of their car before approaching them. After thanking them for coming, you will need to determine how much help they will need. If it is their first time, you should welcome them to our Center, thank them for coming, and explain that you will show them how we sort things. Emphasize that they shouldn’t be intimidated by all of the sorting categories and that it will become much easier for them after just a few visits. Express a sincere appreciation to them for coming. Tell them that we are a non-profit organization and that we want them to think of the center as “their” recycling center. Make sure that you give them our general information flyer.
If they are one of our regulars, ask them if they feel comfortable doing their own sorting or will they need any help. If they believe that they can do their own sorting, indicate that if they have any questions – please ask. You might want to watch them from a distance to convince yourself that they are doing okay. If you see them put something in the wrong gaylord, that is your cue that they need help. Most people appreciate the assistance. If cars are backed up, we will want to help regardless so that we can keep the line moving.
Every once in a while we make a change at the Center involving the way we collect or sort the items. We will let you know when you come to the Center if there is anything specific that you will need to communicate to the people. Additionally, this PowerPoint presentation will be updated with a new version number whenever there is a change.
When the people are getting back in their car, please remember to thank them. I just say, “Thank you for recycling with us.” We want you to do this for two reasons: First, we DO appreciate them coming to the center and we need to express that appreciation to them. Also, nine out of ten people will turn it around and thank YOU for being a part of our operation. Personally, I enjoy getting that acknowledgement and I think that you will too. Give the folks the opportunity to express to you their appreciation for your generous involvement.

29. Final Important Issues
Volunteer Application
Sign-in sheet
Orange volunteer vests
Safety
Facilities
Parking
Keep a good attitude
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
We need to have all volunteers fill out a volunteer application. Parents will need to sign for their child under 18 years of age. The application is standard and the information it contains will be confidential. People age 16 and younger will need to have a parent or guardian with them while they volunteer at the Center.
SIGN-IN SHEET
It’s important that we keep a record of the volunteers who work at the Center. This information is used when applying for grants, assessing manpower needs and liability issues. The sign-in sheet will be on a clipboard on a table beside the “Volunteer Corner”. We realize that some folks see this as an inconvenient, unnecessary task and we ask for your understanding.
VOLUNTEER VESTS
You will need to wear one of our orange volunteer vests while you are volunteering at the Center. We have them for safety reasons and to identify our you as a person who can answer questions.
SAFETY
It just can’t be emphasized enough that we strive to run our operation as safely as possible. You are never expected to do something that you are unsure of or even remotely believe might be unsafe. Listen to your instincts. Although it is impossible to anticipate all safely issues, here are a few of the more important ones:
Our center has a basic first aid kit beside the office door. If you are injured at the Center, report the injury to the Operations Director.
There are six large fire extinguishers located on every other supporting pole in the center. Please become familiar with their location and operation on your first visit. Do not be concerned that a fire might be too small to warrant their use. The cost of recharging an extinguisher is small compared to the potential damage caused by a fire. Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire. Use common sense. Error on the side of safety and leave the building rather than try to extinguish a fire that might be too large.
Whenever cars are moving in a confined space shared by people there is always a safety issue. Give the drivers plenty of room. Volunteers under the age of 18 are not allowed to direct traffic. Do not be afraid to shout “STOP!!” if you witness a fender bender about to occur. Car engines must be turned off during the unloading time.
If you want to wear gloves either bring your own or wear a pair provided at the Center. Garden type gloves work great.
Glass and tin cans have sharp edges. Do not throw glass into the container and do not reach into the glass or tin can container without wearing gloves. Look aside and move away if you see a person throwing in glass. Please help clean up broken glass promptly. Dustpans and brooms are available.
Dress for the weather. You must wear closed toe shoes. The center is unheated in the winter. Drink plenty of water in the summer. The water fountain is by the restrooms. A refrigerator and a microwave is available for anything you want to bring.
Federal law requires that anyone operating one of our balers must be 18 years of age or older. You must also receive training to operate one by yourself.
Use extreme care and walk slowly while learning to use one of the pallet jacks. They travel just far enough off of the floor to cause injury to your toes. A fully loaded gaylord on the pallet jack weighs over half a ton and is impossible to bring to a sudden stop.
The building that houses the center was built in the early 1980s. At that time there were very few safety features required to be built into the motorized overhead doors. There is literally no automatic reversing mechanism built into them. If you must lower one of the three doors, you must make SURE that there is nothing on the floor or laying up against one of the tracks that will keep the door from lowering.
Do not use a razor blade knife to help flatten corrugated boxes. It is safer for us to put the box as it is into the baler than to flatten it. Volunteers under the age of 18 are not allowed to use a knife or a razor blade tool at the center.
When picking something up, lift with your legs and not your back. Do not feel bad about only carrying small loads. Magazines and newspapers are especially heavy. An 8-inch stack of newspapers is plenty to carry in one trip.
Do not use the ladders at the center.
FACILITIES
We have a large, 22,000 sq ft facility. Take your time and look around during your first visit. All of the electric switches and breaker boxes are located in the southwest corner. The restrooms are in the northwest corner. The drinking fountain is beside them. There are telephones in different locations. Feel free to use them to make and receive calls. There is a door in each corner of the building. Learn where they are and how they open so that you can exit through them in an emergency. You are welcome to use the refrigerator and microwave. You might notice that we only turn on two rows of lights at one time. This is to keep the “capacity charge” on the electric bill as low as possible..
PARKING
Most volunteers park their cars in the lot across the street north of the building. If it starts hailing, you will usually be able to bring your car inside.
ATTITUDE
Just like any retail business, we have spurts of activity in-between relatively slow periods. During these slow periods we would like for you to inspect the gaylords to see if there is anything in them that should have been placed in another category. It is important that these items are removed for two reasons: 1) in order for us to sell our products for market price, they must not exceed a minimum “contamination” percentage, and 2) if, for instance, people see a milk jug in with the #2 colored containers, they might believe that that is where their milk jugs should go. New volunteers might get mad or angry that some of our recyclers don’t do a very good job of sorting the things that they bring us. Sometimes it will be obvious that they don’t even try. PLEASE try very hard not let someone’s laziness affect your attitude. Just put the stuff in the correct gaylord and move on. Its just not worth the grief.

30. THANK YOU !! It all comes back to you
Your involvement in our operation is sincerely appreciated. It is our hope that you find your time with us both enjoyable and rewarding. Our Volunteer Coordinator will be in regular contact with you. We recognize the value of your feedback. Please let us know how we can help make your experience at the Center all that you expect.
It all comes back to you