LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Tag: recycling

Rumpke bringing Hefty ReNew program to Greater Cincinnati area
BY CHRIS VOLOSCHUK – Waste Today Magazine

Loveland, Ohio – Residents and businesses in eight counties across the greater Cincinnati area will soon be able to add a wide array of hard-to-recycle plastics to their curbside bins.

Starting in November, Rumpke Waste & Recycling, headquartered in Cincinnati, will offer the Hefty ReNew program to customers in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties in Ohio; Dearborn County in Indiana; and Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky. The program is not mandatory.

RELATED: Rumpke acquires Pinnacle Recycling

“Finding the highest and best use for material has always been Rumpke’s mission,” Molly Broadwater, corporate communications manager at Rumpke, tells Recycling Today. “We are pleased to be able to offer our customers an opportunity to expand their recycling efforts.”

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Developed in collaboration with Midland, Michigan-based Dow Inc. and other program supporters, the Hefty ReNew program began in 2018 and has continued to grow, reaching nearly 800,000 households with curbside recycling to date. Hefty, a brand under the Reynolds Consumer Products umbrella, says ReNew has diverted over 2,500 tons of hard-to-recycle plastics from landfills across Georgia, Idaho, Nebraska and Tennessee.

Users can place their hard-to-recycle plastics inside orange ReNew bags, which Rumpke says will be available to purchase at Kroger supermarkets and online at www.kroger.com in the participating counties starting in November.

Request a Starter Kit

Residents within the Greater Cincinnati area participating counties can use this LINK to request a starter kit. The kit includes an orange bag for the program and information about how to participate. Limit one per household

Businesses can order commercial size bags directly from Rumpke.

Broadwater says other retailers will start selling the bags in the spring of 2024.

Each orange bag features a list of hard-to-recycle items that can be collected in the bag for recycling. Once a bag is full, program participants can tie it up and place it in a Rumpke Recycling bin or public recycling drop box for collection. When recycling loads reach Rumpke’s Cincinnati material recovery facility (MRF), Broadwater says team members will pull the ReNew bags from the line in the presort stage of the plant, bale the material that is still contained inside the bag and ship it to end users.

According to Hefty, the bags will go to specialized recyclers that will use the materials to create new and useful products.

“We’re thrilled that the Hefty ReNew program will now be available to residents and businesses in greater Cincinnati, providing more people with the opportunity to make a difference in their community,” says Lynnette Hinch, senior marketing director for Lake Forest, Illinois-based Reynolds Consumer Products, in a news release. “With counties in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky now taking part, in addition to the success we’ve seen in other participating communities, we’re that much closer to our goal of diverting the most hard-to-recycle plastics from landfills and converting them into valuable resources.”

ReNew bags can be used to recycle items from a variety of categories:
- Kitchen and pantry. Accepted items are candy wrappers; cereal box liners; chip bags; cookie and cracker box liners; dry mix liners (cake, powder mixes); foam egg cartons; fresh/frozen vegetable and fruit bags; granola and energy bar wrappers; plastic pet food bags; salad bags; shredded cheese packages; snack food bags; and stand-up pouches.
- Storage and cleaning. Accepted items are dry and wet disposable cleaning cloths; food storage bags; plastic food wrap; plastic grocery bags; and plastic wraps on paper towels and toilet paper.
- Office and shipping. Accepted items are bubble wrap; clear plastic overwraps; foam block packaging; foam peanuts; and plastic air pillow packs.
- Dining and eating. Accepted items are foam cups; foam to-go boxes; colored plastic cups; plastic or foam plates and bowls; plastic straws and stirrers; and plastic utensils.
Broadwater says Rumpke’s hope is to continue growing the program in its Cincinnati MRFshed and beyond. The company currently provides residential and commercial trash and recycling services to Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and operates 12 MRFs and 25 transfer stations.

RELATED: Rumpke makes 2023 US Best Managed Companies list

In a news release, the company’s Director of Recycling Jeff Snyder says, “Rumpke continues to invest heavily in our recycling programs to ensure our customers have access to the best available technologies and can recycle the most amount of material possible. The introduction of the Hefty ReNew program will further help our customers with their own waste reduction efforts and help us recover even more plastic material to be converted into new and useful items.”

Rumpke notes the ReNew program is intended to complement, but not replace, current recycling routines, and recommends customers continue putting paper, cardboard, cartons, glass and plastic bottles, tubs, cups, aluminum cans and steel cans in their recycling bins loose and unbagged.

EASY EFFORT. ENORMOUS RESULTS.

Participants can add the Hefty ReNew^™ program to their regular recycling efforts. All it takes is a few simple steps to help keep hard-to-recycle plastics out of the landfill and turn them into something more valuable.

FILL UP

Fill the Hefty^® ReNew^® orange bag with acceptable, hard-to-recycle plastics.

DROP IN

Tie up the full orange bag and place it in your curbside recycling cart or at an approved drop-off location, along with normal recyclables.

RENEW

The orange bags are sorted at your local recycling facility and acceptable contents are sent to a facility to be converted into valued resources.*

*Particular valued resources may vary by geography.
Oct 27, 2023
In Deerfield Township, Ohio recycle your Christmas Tree at 3 park locations

Deerfield, Township, Ohio – Deerfield Township will have 3 Christmas Tree Drop Off locations setup in the Township. These locations will be at Cottell, Fleckenstein, and Landen-Deerfield Parks.

Deerfield Township Parks are open daily from dawn until dusk. Areas will be sectioned off and posted with signs for township residents to drop off their Christmas trees. Christmas trees will be accepted for recycling during park hours from January 3rd, 2023 through January 20, 2023.

Find a Deerfield park near you.

Loveland, Ohio Christmas Tree Removal

Dec 30, 2022
In Deerfield Township, Ohio recycle your Christmas Tree at 3 park locations

Deerfield, Township, Ohio – Deerfield Township will have 3 Christmas Tree Drop Off locations setup in the Township. These locations will be at Cottell, Fleckenstein, and Landen-Deerfield Parks.

Deerfield Township Parks are open daily from dawn until dusk. Areas will be sectioned off and posted with signs for township residents to drop off their Christmas trees. Christmas trees will be accepted for recycling during park hours from January 3rd, 2023 through January 20, 2023.

Find a Deerfield park near you.

Loveland, Ohio Christmas Tree Removal

Dec 27, 2022
Rumpke accepts these items for Recycling
Loveland, Ohio – While the full list of acceptable materials may vary slightly in some locations, residents can typically recycle the following:
- Glass Bottles & Jars (all colors)
- Metal Cans: Aluminum cans, steel cans and lids, empty aerosol cans with the lids and tips removed
- Plastic Bottles (empty, crush, reattach lid): Bottles and jugs that have a small mouth and wider base, such as milk jugs, soda bottles, laundry detergent bottles, water bottles, shampoo bottles and contact solution bottles
- Plastic Tubs: Containers for butter, sour cream cottage cheese, yogurt, Jello and fruit slices would fall into the tub category. Lids should be reattached prior to recycling
- Plastic Cups* (remove/discard straw, reattach lid): Fast food beverage cups
- Paper: newspaper, magazines, cardboard, mixed office paper and envelopes, paperboard (cereal boxes), pizza boxes free of food debris and grease, telephone books and catalogs
- Paper Cups** (remove/discard lids, straws and stoppers): Fast food beverage cups, coffee cups, Dixie cups
- Cartons: food and beverage cartons, such as milk, juice, soup, wine, broth and other cartons.
*No cups will be accepted in Central Kentucky

** Paper cups not accepted in Northeast Ohio

Recycling Tips
- Mix all items together – no separation required
- Empty all bottles, jugs and cans
- No need to remove labels
- For plastic bottles, empty, crush and reattach lids
- For cartons, remove plastic caps and straws
- NEVER place medical sharps or needles in the recycling
- DON’T use plastic bags
NOT for Recycling
No plastic bags, cassette tapes, bed sheets, hangers, metal chains, garden hoses, batteries, needles, syringes, electronics, polystyrene foam, buckets, car parts, food, yard waste, light bulbs, drinking glasses, ceramics, pots, pans, and scrap metal.

If you are in need of a flyer detailing accepted recyclables, you can find a printout here.

To see what happens to your recyclables, check out these videos.
Feb 5, 2022
Cindy Kessler is Making Loveland a Better Place, One Tree Seedling at a Time!

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – Making a difference is what the community of Loveland is all about and longtime Loveland resident Cindy Kessler is one of those special individuals that has done just that!

Kessler made it her mission to dedicate her time and energy to growing tree seedlings in kitty litter buckets that she then gives away for free. “Rumpke doesn’t recycle the buckets,” Kessler said, “so this is a perfect way to repurpose them in a manner that benefits the earth.”

Although Kessler does most of the growing, she also has several friends who help her bag and distribute the seedlings.

“Our kick off is Graeter’s Valentine’s Day 2-for-1 special,” Kessler shared with us, “The atmosphere is festive, plus people are just starting to get spring fever… so we give them something to do outside; plant a tree.”

Cindy Kessler grows tree seedlings in kitty litter buckets which are plentiful because Rumpke Recycling doesn’t take the buckets.

Kessler said one year she and her crew gave away 766 seedlings! The seedlings will be offered at Starbucks, Graeter’s, LaRosa’s, Lenten fish fries, and many other hotspots around Loveland.

Free tree seedlings at the Loveland Starbucks

Kessler said the Loveland community has had an overwhelmingly positive response to the free tree seedlings.

“Baristas at Starbucks said that customers show them pictures of their newly planted seedlings and thank them ‘for doing this.’ Then the baristas turn to us and thank us for making it happen. When restocking our baskets, people often start meaningful conversations, that always include appreciation for our efforts.”

Cindy Kessler (on left) and two of her seedling partners

The response from the community in regards to Kessler’s tree seedlings has created so much hype that Kessler decided to create an instructional website that teaches you how to grow seedlings yourself! The website is as follows: seedstotrees.org. The abundant amount of pictures and resources make the growing process that much easier to mimic.

“Truly, anyone can do this; individuals, families, groups of friends, social clubs, school classes, religious groups, businesses, etc.,” Kessler said.

A display of free tree seedlings in a local shop

“Environmental degradation is a serious problem, but every tree that gets planted is part of the solution. So, put those kitty litter buckets to good use and start growing your own tree seedlings. If a lot of people do this, the impact can be huge. Spread the word,” Kessler said.

For more information about Cindy Kessler’s tree seedlings email her at info@seedstotrees.org. You may also contact Kessler to donate kitty litter buckets.

Seeds to Trees is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, dedicated to getting more trees planted worldwide, by showing individuals how to grow tree seedlings for distribution within their own communities. Whether you give away 5 seedlings or 500, you have made the world a better place!

If you would like to follow Seeds to Trees on FaceBook click the link!

Although Rumpke doesn’t take kitty litter buckets they just announced recently a new list of added recyclables you can place in your recycling bin. You can read about that by clicking the link below!

Butter tubs, yogurt containers now accepted in Rumpke’s recycling program

Jan 21, 2021
Butter tubs, yogurt containers now accepted in Rumpke’s recycling program
Rumpke Customers Can Now Recycle More

Loveland, Ohio – Residents can now fill their recycling carts with even more material.

Starting this month, customers can toss yogurt containers, fruit cups, butter tubs, sour cream tubs, cottage cheese tubs and whipped topping tubs in recycling carts with other bottles, cans, cardboard, cartons and paper.

In making the announcement, Steve Sargent, Rumpke’s Director of Recycling said, “As a leader in recycling, Rumpke recycles more than one billion pounds of material annually. There has been a lot of recent innovations in plastic recycling that are allowing for this expansion of our acceptable items list.”

Like with other items accepted in Rumpke’s recycling programs, Rumpke has secured long-term contracts with stable, regional end users for this material that will convert the material into new plastic containers.

Rumple says that currently, 95% of collected recyclables go to domestic end users, with the vast majority destined for end users in Ohio and the Midwest.

“Rumpke appreciates the work The Recycling Partnership is doing in terms of circularity and joining manufacturers, recycling operators and end users to develop solutions to recycle more material,” said Jeff Snyder, Rumpke recycling senior manager.

Also driving the change is a grant from The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition that is aiding Rumpke with installation of additional recycling equipment to help better sort tubs from other recyclables and with educating customers about the new acceptable items.

“Through the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, we are rapidly driving meaningful, measurable change by awarding grants to Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) that will improve and increase the capture of polypropylene,” said Sarah Dearman, Vice President of Circular Ventures, The Recycling Partnership. “We congratulate Rumpke on their recent grant award from the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition and their quick work to get their polypropylene recycling program running and look forward to our continued partnership to encourage Ohioans to recycle more, better.”

Loveland residents can recycle the following items:
- Plastic bottles, jugs and tubs (butter, sour cream, cottage cheese tubs as well as yogurt and fruit and yogurt cups)
- Cartons
- Glass bottles and jars (any color)
- Aluminum and steel cans
- Paper, paper board (cereal boxes, 12-pack containers, mail, etc.) and cardboard
All items should be clean, empty and placed in recycling containers loose to ensure they can be properly sorted and recycled. For more information on recycling, visit www.rumpke.com.
Jan 11, 2021
Students Celebrate Earth Day at Goodwill and Loveland Magazine for annual writing lesson

“What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to walk to your local Goodwill store and to a local business to learn about reducing, reusing and recycling.” – Loveland first-grade teacher, Jennifer Miller.

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – On April 22nd billions of people around the world celebrated Earth Day. Loveland 1st grade teacher, Jennifer Miller, decided to celebrate the day by taking her class on a field trip to two Loveland businesses to learn about just why reducing, reusing, and recycling is so important. Loveland Magazine’s very own, David Miller, got the opportunity to be a part of the Earth Day-themed field trip, when Ms. Miller’s class stopped by to learn about composting, rechargeable batteries, and LED light bulbs. David Miller also showed the students how individuals, families, and businesses can lower their negative impact on the environment. The tour of our offices highlighted some of the many pieces of office equipment, furniture, and everyday items that were re-claimed, repurposed, and purchased at the Loveland Goodwill Store.

For several years, the father and daughter duo have collaborated on practical writing lessons for the students, showing them how their writing can be published in their local newspaper.

Axel said, “Earth Day is made of kindness.”

When Ms. Miller was planning a field trip for her students, she wanted to be sure that everything the students did connect back to the importance of protecting our environment. The class began the field trip at The Loveland Goodwill Store where the students learned the importance of reusing and recycling clothing, household goods, books, and toys. The staff showed the students the donation center and explained why it is important to donate items you no longer use rather than throwing them away. Ms. Miller had each student bring an item from home to donate to the center in order to not only really understand the concept of reusing and recycling, but the satisfying feeling you get after doing it!

Ms. Miller had each student bring an item from home to donate to the center in order to not only really understand the concept of reusing and recycling, but the satisfying feeling you get after doing it!

After celebrating Earth Day at Loveland Goodwill, the class then walked to Loveland Magazine. Though the distance was short, Ms. Miller thought this activity would really get the students thinking about energy conservation. Once the students arrived at Loveland Magazine they enjoyed a snack, but of course, it was also Earth Day themed! She gave the students the option of eating an apple or cutie so that they could then later put the core or the peel into Loveland Magazine’s compost bin. They were told how composting yard waste, fallen leaves, and kitchen scraps at a business can lower business expenses because the compost is turned into the potting soil for spring plants. It was explained that by not purchasing potting soil, what is basically dirt, it didn’t have to be shipped around the country using fossil fuels which contribute to carbon in the atmosphere. Mr. Miller said, “It doesn’t make sense to transport things like dirt using fossil fuel driven vehicles, and businesses need to be aware of this kind of impact on the climate whenever they purchase goods.”

After learning how to compost, Mr. Miller talked to the students about the importance of rechargeable batteries and LED light bulbs. He was able to get really interactive with the students by doing light bulb as well as battery demonstrations so that the students could visually see the importance of reusing, conserving energy, and recycling batteries instead of putting them into landfills.

“What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to walk to your local Goodwill store and to a local business to learn about reducing, reusing and recycling,” said Ms. Miller.

Ms. Miller followed the Earth Day presentation at Loveland Magazine by walking with her class back to school and straight into the classroom to write about the field trip! So just what did the students write? Let’s read some excerpts from the written reports!

Natalia – “We should take care of our environment.”

Samira – “I learned about recycling batteries.”

Hanna – “I learned that some kinds of light bulbs can be recycled and my favorite part of the trip was looking at the compost pile.”

Dean – “I was happy to see the awards on the wall David Miller received for helping the earth. Earth Day is made of showing kindness and respect for our earth. We re-used and recycled. We celebrated in Loveland, Ohio. My favorite part was looking at the earth.”

Charlotte – “We went on a field trip on Earth Day. We looked at the compost pile. Earth Day is made of showing kindness and respect for our earth. We re-used, reduced, and recycled. We’re celebrating Loveland. My favorite part was the compost pile.”

Abdulloh – “We donated stuff that we don’t need.”

Lillian – “I liked learning about how certain light bulbs can save on energy use, about recycling batteries, and that using rechargeable batteries can help the environment. My favorite part was going to the Goodwill store.”

Tommy – “Walking to Goodwill was my favorite part.”

Constance – “My favorite thing was learning.”

Muhammadjon – “I noticed the toys and clothes at Goodwill that were there for recycling and reusing.”

Dylan – “I liked taking the peels left from our cuties and apple cores and putting them in the compost bin after snack.

Natalia – “ I liked composting the food scraps.”

Ben titled his report, “The Earth is my Friend” and said, “My favorite thing was visiting Loveland Magazine.”

Ashlynn – “My favorite part was the backyard at Loveland Magazine.”

Avery – “I learned to put food scraps in a compost bin.”

Axel – “Earth Day is made of kindness.”

After reading the students Earth Day reports, Ms. Miller was pleased with the impact she and her father had on the students. “My students learned firsthand the importance of donating items that their families no longer needed – to a local organization that helps others. We also learned the importance of making small changes in our daily life at work and school such as using LED lightbulbs, rechargeable batteries, and how to have a compost pile in your own backyard.”

Mr. Miller said he was really pleased that the students were so engaged in what might seem an adult topic because they are a long way from owning their own company or working in a business or corporation. “They did, however, most appreciate the compost bin and the contents – perhaps it was the playing in the dirt looking for worms and microbes!” he commented. “I am extremely pleased that so many moms came along on the trip as well. It’s important the children are safe while walking the busy street and I want them to be safe while here at Loveland Magazine also. It helps too that the class was so well behaved and polite.” He also talked about the wonderful hospitality showed toward the students at the Loveland Goodwill Store.

If you would like to experience the Earth Day field trip Mrs. Miller took her first graders on, watch the video below that Ms. Miller created! Also, take a look at the photos that her father took during the field trip.

Not only did Ms. Miller’s class have fun, but they had fun learning! It’s never too early to start protecting the environment!

Watch this video that Ms. Miller created for her students of their Earth Day activities.

May 23, 2019
Loveland’s Christmas Tree recycling and disposal

Loveland, Ohio – ThePublic Works Department will begin picking up Christmas Trees on January 2 and continue through January 18.

Rumpke trash and recycling holiday schedule

Christmas trees should be placed near the curb, not on the street. Remember to remove all lights, plastic bags, and ornaments from the trees since trees are composted.

Residents who miss this schedule are encouraged to drop their tree off at Evan’s using the City’s brush drop off program* or Rumpke will pick it up.

*Residents can receive a free voucher to drop off their brush at Evans Landscaping at 9700 East Kemper Road. There is no additional cost to residents for this service. Residents of the City can pick up a voucher at City Hall Monday through Friday, 8 AM until to 4:30 PM.

Dec 25, 2018
Loveland High School honored as Trex National Recycling Challenge Winner

“An incredible team building exercise,” said Tracy Burge

Loveland, Ohio – Loveland High School (LHS) students have earned the title of a national winner of the 10^th annual Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge, a program designed to help educate students about the importance of recycling.

“The Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge is not only an engaging way to teach the importance of recycling, but it also serves as an incredible team building exercise,” said Tracy Burge, LHS environmental science teacher. “Our students worked together and with the community to recycle as much plastic as possible, and we are so thrilled that they demonstrated such strong leadership in this effort to save the planet!”

To capture this year’s top honors, LHS students recycled more than 950 pounds of polyethylene plastic. In recognition of their outstanding efforts, Trex Company, presented the students with a new Trex bench for use at their school, as well as a picture frame made from Trex composite materials to showcase their winner certificate.

“We want the Tiger Family to know that now and in the following years we will recycle all flat plastic in room 283 at the high school,” said Burge. “Next year we will have bins outside at the schools. This contest goes on every year, and our goal is to repeat this success.”

The Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge pits K-12 schools across the country against one another in a fun, friendly competition to collect and recycle the most plastic bags and other types of polyethylene materials for the chance to win Trex products for their schools. Instead of going into landfills, that plastic waste will be converted into beautiful Trex composite decking.

“Offering a rewarding, hands-on school project, the Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge provides students with a better understanding and appreciation for sustainable practices,” said Stephanie Hicks, material resource coordinator for Trex. “After a decade, the program is still growing – with a record number of schools competing this year – and continues to educate tens of thousands of students about environmental responsibility.”

One of the largest recyclers of plastic in the U.S., Trex uses more than 1.5 billion plastic bags to make its eco-friendly, wood-alternative outdoor living products each year. A standard 16-foot Trex board contains recycled material from approximately 2,250 plastic bags. In addition to plastic grocery and retail bags, Trex reuses polyethylene plastic from a variety of common household items – such as case overwraps, bread bags, bubble wrap, newspaper sleeves and dry cleaning bags – to create composite products that offer a superior alternative to wood and an environmentally responsible choice to consumers.

For more information about the Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge, visit Trex.com/Recycling.

Raising Joyful Rebels, a Guide for Moms by local author, Fran Hendrick

Loveland based author, Fran Hendrick says moms can become pros at growing girls’ resilience, strength, and happiness.

Jun 21, 2017