Page 14 - May 2020 Final

TRASH TALKIN’ 101

By Rashawnda Atkinson

Now that we’re home more often due to the coronavirus
epidemic, there’s going to be more trash. And more trash
can bring about more problems with more bags to put in
the chute, boxes to break down and recycled items to sort.
In fact, American Disposal Services, our community con-
tractors, report that trash disposal and recycling use has
risen by 30% across the communities they serve.

You can only imagine the unnecessary mess and problems
that can arise when our trash guidelines aren’t followed.
So, the following are a few reminders about our trash
room procedures so that we all can do our part to keep this
area clean and safe.

Trash Room Rules
Trash rooms are located across the entrance from the Proper trash disposal reduces unnecessary mess and discour-
freight elevator on each floor. Each has a trash chute for ages uninvited “house guests.”
general non-recyclable trash that’s placed in a paper or
plastic bag and tied closed. Mattresses and other bulk trash things cannot be put in the recycle bins at WAL per the
are not being collected at the moment, so you’ll need to City of Alexandria:
make alternate arrangements for removal or store such in • Small metal items (i.e. metal blinds, pots and pans, door
your storage unit or home until bulk pick-up resumes. knobs)
Please do not leave any items on the Loading Dock as • Once you are able, take these items to Covanta Ener-
well, or you may be referred to Covenants. Signs are post- gy, located at 5301 Eisenhower Avenue Monday –
ed with reminders of proper trash disposal procedures as Friday, 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 6 a.m. – 11 a.m.
well as recycling rules. Proper trash disposal can help pre- Please note that this service is for the City of Alexan-
vent unnecessary problems and keep WAL clean and safe. dria residents only.
• Wax-coated paper (i.e. frozen food boxes, political
Recycling signs, wax paper, etc.)
All recyclable items can be placed in the same container • Ceramic Cups and Glasses
here at WAL. Posters with recycling procedures are in our • Styrofoam and Packing Peanuts
trash rooms and WAL applies the City of Alexandria’s
policies to its recycling program. This information is avail- You may have questions about glass containers. The City
able at https://www.alexandriava.gov/Recycling. Listed of Alexandria recommends you put them in the trash or
are some common items that can be placed in the recycling drop them off at one of its self-serve purple bins located
containers per the Rules and Regulations (R&R) and Poli- throughout the City.
cy Resolution #89:
• Brown paper bags Hazardous Materials
• Plastic bottles, jars and cans If you’re looking for someway to dump off the paint, old
• Metal cans and empty aerosol cans electronics or non-alkaline batteries, the trash room isn’t a
• Small, flattened (broken down) boxes (i.e. snacks, crack- place to do this either. These and other environmentally
ers and cereal—pizza boxes are not recyclable) hazardous items are not disposable at anytime here at
• Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, phone books, office WAL. You’d have to contact an outside disposal site for
and other miscellaneous paper guidance concerning such materials.
• Shredded paper in a tightly tied plastic grocery bag
Labels can stay on recycled items. Please remember to Please consider your neighbors by using the trash chutes
rinse plastic and metal containers, as it reduces contamina- from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. per the Association’s rules. Signs
tion challenges. are posted in the trash rooms to guide you just in case.
Proper trash disposal reduces unnecessary mess, discour-
There are some things that aren’t recyclable. In addition to ages uninvited “guests” and helps our community remain a
no longer accepting plastic grocery bags (take them to desirable place to live!
your local library once it reopens or one of the locations
recommended by the City of Alexandria), the following

Page 14 Wheel May 2020