I live in Western MA & have a recycle program , i wonder where the material i put in the bins actually goes?

Question

we have a incinerator near by and im skeptical does what i put in my bins go to a recycle facility and where is the nearest one in conjunction to the Berkshires where I live

Answer 1

I'm betting that your recyclables go to the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Springfield.   I've included a link below to their web page.

If you have both an incinerator and a MRF nearby, then your "black bag" waste will go straight to the incinerator.   Your separated recyclables will to the MRF where they will be further sorted.  Anything that is truly recyclable (or is currently cost effect to separate) will be separated out and sold.   Whatever is  left (mostly things that have accidentally been placed in recycling bins) will be sent to the incinerator.

I'm not super-knowledgeable about the geography of Western MA, so you'll need to take a look at the Springfield web site and see if your community is served by that facility.  Their web page says that they serve "the four western counties of Massachusetts."

Good question.

Answer 2

Walk over and ask.

You'd be surprised. I had the same concern about 5 years ago. So I went and asked. Never got a straight answer. All I learned was that "it got compacted" and sent for "further recycling" to other locations. Mind you, nobody could define or identify what "further recycling" meant.

It was in their script to give consumers and anyone else inquiring about their efforts.

Answer 3

the recyleables go where u dump trash out lol same building. the difference is they r separated. recyleable have to b heated at a different heat. It ahs to hotter to melt glass and stuff.