Lexington, KY, September 27, 2025
News Summary
Lexington’s Waste Management Services has introduced a recycling contamination reduction program focused on educating residents and improving recycling practices. The program includes citywide audits to identify improperly placed items in recycling bins, which have historically contributed to high contamination rates. Through color-coded notifications and community engagement, Lexington aims to decrease contamination levels and foster sustainable habits among its residents.
Lexington Implements Recycling Contamination Reduction Program
Lexington’s Waste Management Services has launched a recycling contamination reduction program aimed at education and improving recycling practices within the city. Over the next few weeks, audits will be conducted citywide to identify and mitigate items incorrectly placed in blue recycling bins, which have historically contributed to significant contamination rates.
Shadrick Edmonds, the operations manager for Waste Management and a dedicated environmental advocate with 21 years of experience, leads this initiative. His team will utilize specialized gear and tablets during audits to optimize the survey process while ensuring safety for both staff and filtration systems at processing plants. The auditors will focus on bins from approximately 100,000 homes, checking 50 to 75 carts daily
Understanding the Audit Process
During the audits, households will receive color-coded notifications based on the contents of their recycling bins. The categorization is as follows:
- Gray: Yard Waste
- Blue: General Information or Missed Bins
- Yellow: Minor Issues
- Red: High Contamination (over 30%)
Currently, Lexington’s contamination rates for recycling materials have been reported at 36% to 38%, while yard waste contamination sits at around 60%. These figures are significantly higher than the national average, which ranges from 12% to 15%. However, recent efforts have helped decrease Lexington’s contamination rates to approximately 27% this year.
Raising Awareness and Encouraging Change
The main goal of the audit program is not only to clarify proper recycling methods but also to promote a culture of sustainability among residents under the motto “recycle right”. This initiative seeks to instill better recycling habits in the community, starting with specific neighborhoods. The facility has operated since 1992 and strives to ensure cleaner city maintenance.
As part of the educational outreach, residents who receive three red tags within a year may risk losing their bin service. Moreover, door hangers will inform households about their contamination levels using a simple color system: green for low contamination, yellow for some contamination, and red for high contamination.
Common Contaminants and Disposal Guidelines
The audits will help pinpoint common materials that lead to recycling contamination, including plastic bags, food waste, specific packaging materials, and hazardous items such as batteries or tires. Understanding these contaminators emphasizes the importance of proper sorting at home. For guidance, residents can access comprehensive lists of approved recyclable items and disposal practices available on the city’s website.
The Waste Management Services anticipates that this program will not only reduce contamination but also foster a community-wide commitment to recycling. By methodically addressing contamination through direct engagement with residents, Lexington hopes to achieve a long-term reduction in recycling errors.
Conclusion
Overall, the recycling contamination reduction program demonstrates Lexington’s commitment to environmental sustainability and effective waste management. The focused efforts of the auditing teams aim to educate, engage, and ultimately change the recycling behavior of residents for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the recycling contamination reduction program?
The program aims to educate residents about proper recycling practices and reduce the contamination of recycling materials within the city.
How will homeowners be informed about their recycling bin contents?
Residents will receive color-coded door hangers indicating their contamination levels as follows: green for low, yellow for some, and red for high contamination.
What happens if a home accumulates three red tags in a year?
A home that receives three red tags may lose its recycling bin service as a consequence of persistent contamination.
What items commonly lead to recycling contamination?
Common contaminants include plastic bags, food waste, certain packaging materials, and hazardous items such as batteries and tires.
Where can residents find more information on recycling guidelines?
Detailed guidelines on approved recyclable items and proper disposal practices can be found on the city’s website.
Key Features of the Lexington Recycling Program
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Recycling Audits | Conducted at homes to check for contamination and improper disposal. |
| Color-Coded Information | Residents receive door hangers indicating contamination levels (green, yellow, red). |
| Common Contaminants | Plastic bags, food waste, hazardous items like batteries and tires. |
| Contamination Rates | Initially 36%-38%, reduced to 27% currently. |
| Community Focus | The program targets specific neighborhoods for behavior change and education. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Lexington Begins Recycling and Yard Waste Audits
Westside Residents of Paris Celebrate Relocation of Garbage Station
Additional Resources
- Spectrum News: Lexington Gets a Recycling Reminder
- Wikipedia: Recycling
- WKYT: Lexington’s Residential Waste Audit
- Google Search: Recycling contamination
- WTVQ: Lexington Launches Recycling Audits
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Waste Management
- LEX18: Waste Management Conducting Recycling Audits
- Google News: Waste Reduction in Lexington
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
