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• Reputation: 18 Q&A: 0 0 0 18 0 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Expert: 1 topic Recycle/Re-Use Follow Following 0 Marcia Rutan

  2 0 Thanks for this great question! Every year schools have a great opportunity with leftover supplies. First thing, create a re-use center for anything that could be used again by staff or students. Make it ongoing as a supply center. You could also feature a fun event a couple of times a year for "exchanges" or "shopping." For items that cannot be reused here are answers to your questions: 1. Spiral notebooks are NOT accepted in Seattle's recycling program as the wire can jam up machinery. The paper is welcome; just remove it from the spiral. 2. Stapled paper is definitely accepted in recycling. 3. Three ring notebooks and plastic pencil cases are not recyclable in Seattle's program. If not reusable they go into the garbage. 4. Destroyed books: Paperbacks are okay in the recycling bin. Hardbooks are not accepted in the general recycling program due to the glue in the spine. However, there are private recycling companies who will take them. Search "Recycling hardback books Seattle" on the web. 5. Lots of stickers and tape items go into the garbage. Consider signing up your school for the Washington Green Schools certification program at www.wagreenschools.org. A reuse center can be a project to win your schools points! Marcia Rutan answered in Recycle/Re-Use about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question New comments are not being accepted at this time.

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• Reputation: 73 Q&A: 3 0 0 14 1 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Expert: 1 topic Recycle/Re-Use Follow Following 0

  1 0 Some of these are debatable, but my opinion: - I would go ahead and put the spiral notebooks, stapled papers and old books in with mixed paper recycling. The paper pulping process should be able to screen off the metal spiral thingies, the staples and hopefully any contaminants in the book bindings. - If they can't be reused, put in the garbage the 3-ring notebooks and plastic pencil cases. - Also put in the garbage anything with lots of stickers or tape on it, if you can't easily get them off. - If non-recyclable items are placed in the recycling bin, they typically get sorted out, but that process is time-consuming and not perfect. Try not to put in non-recyclables, but if you get it wrong once in awhile, don't worry about it. Thanks! Tom Watson answered in Recycle/Re-Use about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question New comments are not being accepted at this time.

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