Politics & Government

Big Recycling Event around the Corner

Hard to recycle items like plastic bags, scrap metal, electronic waste will be collected by the city on April 19.

The Newport Public Services Department’s Clean City Program will hold a one-day recycling event, the Spring Recycling Day, on Saturday, April 19 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. in the Easton’s Beach east parking lot, 175 Memorial Blvd., Newport. Any RI resident may attend this event, free of charge. 

This event is organized by the City of Newport’s Clean City Program and sponsored by Waste Management, the East Bay Met School, the Preservation Society of Newport County, the Newport Energy & Environment Commission and Custom House Coffee.

This event will accept the following items for recycling. Please visit http://www.cityofnewport.com/cleancity or call 845-5613 for a detailed list of items accepted along with rules and guidelines. All vendors listed will take item for recycling, free of charge, on a first come, first served basis:

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  • Paper shredding service (paper will be recycled): bring up to four boxes of paper to be shredded. Waste Management will also be available to recycle your cardboard box or paper bags.
  • Scrap metal: metal hangers, pots, pans, metal chains, screws, nails, any other item that is primarily made out of metal. No items containing Freon.
  • Electronic waste:  Computers/CPUs, monitors, televisions, air conditioners and more.
  • Rigid plastics not normally collected in the curbside recycling program: plastic containers over 2 gallons, old recycling bins & trash barrels, plastic toys, buckets, milk crates, laundry baskets, plant pots and more. Plastic accepted by Waste Management.
  • Styrofoam (polystyrene): All Styrofoam packaging must be labeled with “PS” with a “6” below it.  No packing peanuts.
  • Clothing & household items for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State: gently used items such as: anything made of cloth - clothing, blankets & more, household items & small appliances. Many restrictions – please see above referenced website.
  • Books for Discover Books: hardcover, paperback, any age - child or adult, DVDs, VHS tapes.
  • Bicycles/bikes: working and salvageable bicycles will be accepted for recycling for Bike Newport and the East Bay Met School.
  • Plastic bags: plastic grocery & shopping bags and other types of clean & dry plastic film. Collected by the East Bay Met School.
  • Cooking oil: Newport Biodiesel will be accepting all vegetable cooking oil for recycling.
  • Recycle Together RI materials: curbside bin materials such as plastic containers under 2 gallons, glass containers, metal cans & foil, cartons, paper & cardboard. Items accepted by Waste Management.

Although the two events were held in the same location in the fall of 2013, the Spring Recycling Day will NOT feature the Eco Depot collection for hazardous waste. However, the Eco Depot hazardous waste collection will be in Middletown on April 19. Visit www.ecodepotri.org or call 942-1430 x241 for more information.

“The Recycling Day events are something the community looks forward to twice per year,” said Kristin Littlefield, the City of Newport’s Clean City Coordinator. “We’ve kept over 220,000 pounds of material out of the landfill through these twice-yearly events, which is something we all can be proud of.”

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Other services offered at the Spring Recycling Day:

  • Exchange your broken recycling bin: Broken recycling bins may be exchanged for a new 18-gallon green bin, free of charge. Proof of Newport residency is required and bins will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
  • Buy a compost bin: Newport residents will be able to purchase the Earth Machine compost bin for $45 each. Visit www.earthmachine.com to see the exact bin. Compost bins can be purchased at the Clean City Program office during normal office hours. Please bring a check for payment and proof of Newport residency. No cash or credit cards. First come, first served.
  • Free coffee & other goodies: Event attendees may also enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee from Custom House Coffee in Middletown (reusable mugs encouraged!). Also, the Clean City Program will be encouraging “Every day is Earth Day” by giving away reusable grocery bags with that same phrase. 

For a detailed list of items accepted and restrictions for the Spring Recycling Day, contact the Clean City Program at 845-5613 or visit www.cityofnewport.com/cleancity.

Last year’s Fall Recycling Day, held in September 2013, residents recycled over 28,000 pounds of material.


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