One month down, eleven to go! RRRASOC is dedicated to continually finding new ways for residents to divert their hard-to-recycle items from going to the landfill. This month, we want to focus on one of the many services we encourage RRRASOC community members to take advantage of: Simple Recycling!

Clothing and textiles are 100% recyclable, but 85% still ends up in landfills. A lack of recycling education and a lack of convenient at-home donation options are partially to blame. However, Simple Recycling's residential at-home pickup service is available to RRRASOC communities at your convenience - plus, there is no charge at all! Items donated through Simple Recycling go to a local nonprofit organization of your choosing.

Simple Recycling accepts the following items for charitable donation:

Wearables

• Men's, Women's, and Children's Clothing
• Pajamas
• Shoes, Slippers and Boots
• Belts and Ties
• Coats and Jackets
• Bras and Socks (single or pairs)
• Dresses and Fashion Accessories
• Handbags and Purses
• Hats, Scarves, and Gloves
• Halloween Costumes

Household Items

• Bedroom Linens
• Pillows
• Books and Games
• Curtains and Drapes
• Kitchenware
• Pet Beds
• Stuffed Animals and Toys
• Tablecloths
• Tools
• Towels

Head on over to the Simple Recycling page at RRRASOC.org, visit SimpleRecycling.com, or call (866) 835-5068 to schedule your free pickup today! Residents who live in communities not serviced by Simple Recycling are encouraged to donate unwanted clothing to their favorite charity or thrift store. RRRASOC provides a list of local charitable organizations on our Reuse/Repurpose page, including those who offer porchside pickup.

Simple Recycling is a separate service from your curbside recycling collection service. The items listed above should be prepared for pickup as instructed by Simple Recycling and not placed in your recycling bin or cart.

At RRRASOC, we LOVE recycling! Department stores all around have stocked up their Valentine's Day merchandise, from chocolates to greeting cards, to prepare for February 14th. During this time, knowing how to properly dispose of your leftover boxes, cards, and packaging becomes all-the-more essential!

Want to create less V-Day waste in the first place? Don't worry - we have some tips for that too!

Need to know what to do with items not found in this month's newsletter? The Recycling Directory at RRRASOC.org contains hundreds of everyday and seasonal items and their respective disposal outlets - from recycling to composting to everything in between!

Did you know that Skip the Straw Day was invented by a group of young activists in Michigan in 2017? A great way to observe and spread this holiday's message is to simply ask your waiter or drive-thru attendant to keep the straw. While the task is easy, it's a great way to begin living a sustainable, waste-free lifestyle! Remember: if you don't need a straw to enjoy your beverage, don't use one!

Please note: Plastic straws are not accepted with your recycling due to their size - they are simply too small to make it through the sorting process!

During the following HHW Collection Events, all residents of RRRASOC member communities are welcome to bring household hazardous waste for an opportunity to safely discard their hazardous items and e-waste. Simple Recycling and paper shredding services will also be available*.

April 13, 2024 👕

Wixom Dept. of Public Works

2041 Charms Rd., Wixom

9:00am - 2:00pm

April 20, 2024 👕

RRRASOC MRF - Truck Entrance

20875 Mapleridge Ave., Southfield

9:00am - 2:00pm

May 4, 2024

Oakland Community College

Orchard Ridge Campus Lot 8

27055 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills

May 18, 2024 👕

Milford Civic Center

1100 Atlantic St., Milford

Enter from West, off Mont Eagle St.

July 13, 2024 👕

Wixom Dept. of Public Works

2041 Charms Rd., Wixom

9:00am - 2:00pm

October 5, 2024

Novi Dept. of Public Works

26300 Lee BeGole Dr., Novi

9:00am - 2:00pm

October 26, 2024 👕

RRRASOC MRF - Truck Entrance

20875 Mapleridge Ave., Southfield

9:00am - 2:00pm

*The T-shirt icon indicates an HHW Collection Event during which clothing, shoes, accessories, and small household items will be accepted by Simple Recycling.

For more information about HHW events and how to prepare your items, please visit our HHW page.

If you have HHW that you'd like to properly dispose of between collection events, you're in luck! Drop off your HHW without a fee at ERG Environmental Services during the following hours:

Monday - Friday:

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Not sure what to do with stuff?

Visit rrrasoc.org and use the Recycling Directory search bar to type in keywords and get recycling, composting, reuse or disposal instructions.

The searchable, intuitive format of the Recycling Directory provides RRRASOC specific information.

Also Available:

Mobile App

• From your App Store or Google Play, search for "Recycling Authority"

Want more tips, tricks, and updates about recycling? We have a Facebook page where we can reach each other to make recycling easier. You can also reach us via RRRASOC.org and email at education@rrrasoc.org!

RRRASOC - Recycling Authority | 248-208-2270 | rrrasoc.org