The City of Lincoln’s ‘What bin does it go in’ tool helps you sort trash accurately

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Household waste, recyclables, and yard waste are just a few categories that describe types of waste.

The Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department recognizes that it can be confusing to know how to dispose of items and offers a tool to help.

“Recycling is important because it saves resources, ” says Willa DiCostanzo, waste division coordinator for the city of Lincoln.

“We want material to have as much life out of it as possible because it takes a long time for us to get that material,” she said.

DiCostanzo started her career with the city as a recycling coordinator and says, “I always find it inspiring to help our community know and understand what to do, so we have a handy tool.”

It’s called the “What bin does it go in” tool and can be found here.

The site has garnered over 65,000 individual searches over the last four years.

“It’s going to tell you if it should go into recycling bins, or if it needs to go to a drop-off location here in Lincoln, or if it should just go to a reuse store that we have here,” said DiConstanzo.

There are five collection sites across Lincoln, with containers labeled for glass, cans, and paper (e.g., cardboard). None is suitable for the landfill unless the cardboard has food residue, such as a pizza box.

Other items that shouldn’t be sent to Lincoln’s only landfill on Bluff Road, but can’t go in the recycling bins?

“Plastic bags, batteries are another one. We don’t want to go into the recycling bin. Electronics, all of those things have a different place to go than your recycling bin,” said DiConstanzo.

She says rechargeable batteries receive the most inquiries through their online tool, and it’s important to note that they should be taken to drop-off sites like Star City.

Many may wonder where the recyclables go after being picked up from collection sites.

DiConstanzo says they’re smashed into tight bundles and sold to mills across the United States, then turned into something new.

“It’s a really cool circular motion,” she said.

Many people have their own reasons for visiting the collection site.

“You see shots of plastic floating in the ocean and stuff like that,” said Darrel Kinnan, who adds, “It’s just the right thing to do.”

Patty Beutler says, “It’s an easy task to do,” and “I wish more people did it.”

“This year is 250, and keep America beautiful,” said Rebecca Hasty.