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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">July 15, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Jason West
<br />Communication & Outreach Supervisor
<br />Utilities Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7639
<br />Jason.West@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">City introduces new recycling guidelines beginning July 15, 2025</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display: inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Effective immediately, the City of Columbia's Solid Waste utility will begin collecting some recyclable materials under new guidelines. Under these guidelines, the City will not be recycling glass or certain plastics.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These updated guidelines are necessary while the City partners with Federal Recycling & Waste Solutions in Jefferson City to transfer some recyclable materials. Potential contamination from trash, glass and low-value plastics can damage processing equipment and reduce the overall value of recyclables, increasing the City's recycling costs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The City asks customers to use their blue recycling bags for the following materials:</span></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plastic bottles (such as soft drink, water or soda bottles)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plastic containers (such as detergent, milk or shampoo bottles)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aluminum beverage cans</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Metal food cans</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Material that should </span><strong>not </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">be placed in blue recycling bags at this time:</span></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Glass bottles</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Glass jars</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yogurt cups</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clamshell produce containers</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dairy product tubs</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Black plastics or takeout containers</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Styrofoam containers</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Packaging material</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plastic bags</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Trash</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mixed fibers, including cardboard and paper, can still be bundled and left on the curb for collection. Fibers should not be in the blue recycling bags. Until further notice, these materials will continue to go to the landfill.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Customers can reach the City's Contact Center at 573.874.CITY (2489) or </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="mailto:City@CoMo.gov"><span style="font-weight: 400;">City@CoMo.gov</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for questions. </span></p>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Visit </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="http://beheard.como.gov/recycling-2025"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BeHeard.CoMo.gov</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to leave comments or complete a survey regarding the future of recycling in Columbia. Your input helps the Utility develop plans for efficient services.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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