Recycling

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Why Should I Recycle?

Trash which cannot be recycled goes to landfill. This is costly to both the environment, and the public purse. To help reduce tax increases by the City of Oakwood, we encourage residents to read the following:

The City has 3 main waste streams:

• Trash goes to landfill and is expensive, currently costing the City $38.25 / ton to remove.
• Mixed recyclables can have value, so the cost is somewhat reduced, at $35/ton.(note: a load contaminated with non-recyclables is sent to landfill at the higher rate)
• Cardboard is collected by the City in and is sought after. The City RECEIVES around $40 /ton, amassing nearly $7000 in 2023 for cardboard deposited in the Recycling center dumpsters (not street collection).

One of Green Oakwood’s primary aims is to reduce waste (e.g. items to landfill). This graphic shows how the biggest effect is made by reducing at source (by avoiding manufacture/purchase) and re-using existing products. After that, recycling is preferred to the other waste management options:

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What Can I Recycle?

Items that can be recycled in Oakwood and surrounding areas include plastics (including Styrofoam), metals, glasses, paper, electronics, and more.

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GO Recycling

Your Green Oakwood recycling team is always looking for inventive ways to reduce our city waste going to landfill. In addition to the services mentioned above, we raise awareness at the Oakwood Farmers market (come talk with us), are currently working with Smith and Harman schools to help their recycling and composting initiatives, and the 2 new City-provided, public recycling containers on the West side of the Shoppes of Oakwood, appeared as a result of lobbying by our team. We do a lot, but know that so much more could be done if we had the time and volunteers. So, if you want increased recycling initiatives, and to reduce tax increases, help us bring it about positive change.