A Ride on the Recycling Route: What Happens to Your Bottles and Cans

You put them in a can or box and set them on the curb, but past taking your recyclables out of your home, do you really know what happens to them?

We decided to find out as we rode along with Bloomingdale Department of Public Works' Thomas Pepe during his Wednesday recycling route.

Pepe, who works with a partner, starts off by picking up recyclables on Main Street before heading into neighborhoods by Glenwild Lake on his Wednesday route. On this particular day, Pepe drove the truck, stopping for his partner to empty cans into the back, but also getting out to help load the truck when there were multiple cans that needed emptying in one area.

Recyclables are expected to be placed outside on the curb the night before, or by 6 a.m. at the latest, on scheduled recycle days, Pepe said. The Borough of Bloomingdale alternates and collects comingled recylables one week and paper, newspapers, white metal and tires the next.

Pepe, who has been with the department for more than nine years, said that after a while, the employees get to know the residents and the routes.

"When you've been on the route so long, you pretty much know where everything is," he said.

"You get to know the people, people get to know what time you come around."

A 25-yard truck and smaller 20-yard truck are used to pick up the materials, which are later brought to a transfer station in Paterson, Pepe said. In between, while the collectors are filling the truck with recyclables, a large metal compactor crushes the recyclables, allowing for more room in the back of the truck.

Pepe said his advice for residents looking to make the recycling process easier is to make sure recycling cans are out on time and protected with lids so animals cannot get inside.