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Recycling at Anthem continues to improve as new people come and all residents become more comfortable with the system. Since the beginning of the program in September of 2010 through November 2011, over 85 tons of materials have been recycled and the HOA has earned $1917.65. Due to weights, paper and corrugated collections predominated with 70.84 tons. The impact to the environment is an energy savings of close to 315,000 KWH and close to 230 cubic yards of waste not going to the landfill.
Although the monthly statistics show a drop off particularly in June and July, the over-all collections continue to grow. In December the pickup schedule has been changed to once a week for both mixed (Tuesday) and paper (Wednesday). This should relieve the overflows recently experienced. In addition another container for paper has been added to the drop off point at the Union Center. More details can be accessed on the Sun City Portal under Recycling News.
The Town of Florence continues to evaluate options to providing recycling services and hopes to make some decisions in early 2012.20110426151750573

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Update from the Recycling Committee

YOU’VE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

 

Participation in the Recycling Program at Anthem has increased each month since it began in September of 2010. Not only has this reduced the volume of materials going into the landfill, it has had an impact on the energy we have saved as a community.  It has also provided some income to the HOA.  Figures obtained from Abitibi, the company that provides the recycling service here at Anthem, indicate the following statistics:

For Sun City between September and December of 2010 the paper collection was 36,556.38 pounds which is equivalent to 74,984.56 KWH of energy.  For this same period the Mixed Materials weight was 5561.8 pounds or 11403.56 KWH saved in energy.  Actual revenues to the center were a total of $484.70 ($428.90 in paper and $55.80 in mixed materials).

For Parkside between September and December 0f 2010 the paper collection was 20,587.70 pounds or an energy equivalent of 42,209.58 KWHs saved.  The Mixed Materials weight was 3,958.94 pounds or 8,121.96 KWH energy saved.  Income generated was a total of $245.40 ($205.80 in paper and $39.60 in mixed materials).

Considering where we stated this represents a great participation by residents.  However, it is felt that these numbers could be a lot higher if the materials are broken down more before being placed in the bins.  Additional containers would help as well and may promote more resident’ participation. 

More materials can be added as well if residents remember to break down the cardboard boxes that take up a great deal of space in their original state. Please remove the Styrofoam and plastic packaging since these are not recyclable and take up valuable space.

Another reminder is to empty the plastic bags that you have used to transport your mixed materials to the drop off points.  By emptying the bags the materials will settle in the bins and allow more room for others to dispose of their plastics, aluminum foil and metals.  While useful in storing and transporting materials, the bags are not recyclable

 Abitibi picks up the paper materials on Friday of each week and the mixed materials are picked up on Tuesday.  Current locations are at the Union Center and near to the water storage tank on Sun City Blvd. in Sun City and at the rear parking lot at the Parkside Community Center.

More information on the program can be found on the Community Portals and at the Center.

Thanks to everyone who has helped to make this program most successful.  GOOD WORK ANTHEM!!!!!

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Residents of Sun City and Parkside City are now able to recycle within the Anthem community. There are drop off containers located in each of the communities for residents’ use to drop off their recycling materials. The service is being provided by Abitibi under contract with the HOA. Each community association will be paid individually for the materials that are recycled based on weight. This Q & A has been developed to answer questions concerning the preparation of materials.
There will be separate containers provided for the following materials:

PAPER - Newspaper, Magazines, Catalogs, Writing Paper, Phone Books, Paperbacks,
Computer Paper, Junk Mail, Corrugated cardboard (flattened), Cereal & soap
boxes, Shredded paper (tied in plastic bag and compressed).
MIXED RECYCLABLES -Plastic bottles (clear, opaque, colored) and containers, tin
cans (i.e., used for vegetables, soup, pet food, tuna, pie plates), Aluminum – beer and soda cans and clean aluminum foil. Flatten large containers.
MATERIALS THAT CANNOT BE RECYCLED - The program cannot accept Styrofoam, aerosol cans, propane cylinders, glass, plastic grocery or produce bags (these bags can be disposed of at the grocery store). Any cardboard or paper that has been contaminated – no pizza boxes or milk cartons, and no garbage.

Q. Where are the recycling bins located?
A. Bins are located just east of the Sales Offices and also by the water tanks on Spirit Way near Liberty. The bins at Parkside are in the parking lot of the Community Center.

Q. Can all the recycling materials be mixed together?
A. No. There will be separate drop-off containers for the two different categories of material that are accepted. The drop off containers for the “Paper” category will be painted green/yellow and the container for the mixed recyclables (plastic, tin and aluminum) will be painted green/blue. The containers will be clearly marked on the outside for clarification.

Q. Can the various paper items (magazines, catalogs, computer paper, junk mail, cereal boxes) be mixed together?
A. Yes! As long as they fall within the paper category listed above you can store them together and dump them into the Yellow and Green Bins.

Q. Can plastic, tin and aluminum be mixed together?
A. Yes. You can collect these together in one container and bring them to the drop off center and place them in the green and blue containers. If you transport these mixed materials to the drop-off bins in a plastic bag, please empty the bag into the bins and take the plastic bag home.

Q. Will I be provided a container to use at my home?
A. No. This is not that type of program but with just the two categories it should be relatively simple to sort materials.

Q. Why can’t we put them altogether like other communities?
A. This program is not a comingled program. Abitibi has established various markets where they will be reimbursed based on the condition of the material that they collect. These markets require source separation. Also glass has a risk of contamination when mixed with paper, plastics and tin cans. Once contaminated all the materials have to be thrown out.

Q. Where does the recyclable paper go after it is picked up from the drop off container?
A. Paper materials placed in the container are sent directly to paper mills and are then remanufactured into newsprint within a few weeks of collection.

Q. How often will the bins be emptied?
A. The bins are emptied once a week during the winter. The Mixed Bin pickup is on Tuesdays and the Paper Bin pickup is on Friday. If necessary Abitibi can alter the schedule for an additional pickup based on usage.

Q. Are there special instructions for the preparation of the recyclables?
A. Yes…..
a. Corrugated - All cardboard boxes should be flattened/broken down so they can fit into the containers and allow others to use the drop off boxes for their materials. Larger boxes should be cut down to a size manageable in the containers.
b. Shredded paper? Shredded paper is the only exception to the no plastic bag rule. Place the shredded paper into a plastic bag and tie it so that the shredded paper doesn’t become a maintenance problem. Punch a few small holes into the bags to let the air out.
c. Can I use plastic bags to store my paper materials? Plastic bags cannot be placed in the drop off containers except for shredded paper. Newspapers can be loose or stored in brown paper sacks which are recyclable.
d. What about the liner in the cereal or cracker box? No. These liners are made of waxed material and should be removed before the box is flattened for disposal.
e. Is it necessary to wash out the plastic bottles, jugs and tin food cans? Yes and No. Remove any remaining food with a spatula. Rinsing or washing is not needed nor is it necessary to remove labels. This is also a waste of water.

Q. Why no glass?
A. Abitibi can only accept materials when there is a market. If glass is placed in the containers it can contaminate the other materials and can also be a hazard to the employees handling these materials. NO GLASS!

Q. Is any plastic that has a recycling symbol with a number in it recyclable?
A. No. There are a number of plastics such as food trays, clamshell deli containers, butter and yogurt containers for which there is currently no market.
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The Recycling Committee has been instrumental in setting up a drop-off recycling program in the Anthem at Merrill Ranch community. Abitibi (Paper Retriever) has provided 4 drop-off containers at each the Parkside Community Center and Sun City Anthem Union Center. Residents are encouraged to bring their recyclable materials and put them in the containers. A portion of the revenue from Anthem's recyclable materials will be returned to the Association and go into the general operating account.

The Committee has also met with members of the Town of Florence and report that the Town is actively working on getting a curbside recycling program established in the next year. An RFP will be going out around September/October 2010 for the program.

Contact bwheeler8@cox.net for more information on the committee and the recycling program.

Recycling Program Flier

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QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Recyclables Accepted	Do Include	Do NOT Include
PLASTIC BOTTLES	• #1 and #2 plastic bottle and jugs rinsed out, no caps	• Plastic grocery bags  •  Plastic food trays •  Prescription bottles •  Yogurt, cottage cheese or margarine containers •  Motor oil, transmission or brake fluid bottles •  Plastic hangers •  Bubble wrap •  Plastic cups
PAPER, NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINES	•  Shredded paper (please bag) •  Junk Mail (please bag) •  Newspapers and all inserts •  Magazines •  Catalogs •  Phone books	•  Food waste or packaging •  Blueprints •  Carbon paper •  Brown kraft paper •  Sticky notes •  Construction debris
CARDBOARD AND PAPERBOARD	•  Corrugated cardboard (3 ply) broken down and flattened •  Paperboard/chipboard (soda and beer cartons) flattened •  Brown paper bags	•  Packing paper or newspaper •  Strapping tape •  Bubble wrap •  Foam Packaging
ALUMINUM AND TIN CANS	•  Aluminum or tin cans washed or rinsed, no lids.	NO TRASH PLEASE

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Recycling Program Flier

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In an effort to keep our recycling bin clean and odor free...please rinse milk jugs, aluminum and tin cans if possible!

Please do not put your furniture, household items or other non-recyclables at the recycle bins.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central AZ will also come to your home and pick up:

Clothing

Shoes

Bedding items (no mattresses)

Draperies & curtains

Housewares and small furniture

Toys, games and tools

Radios and small appliances

To schedule a pickup, call 602-230-8900.

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Green Waste