Recycling mecca: A pictorial tour

The Coon Rapids Recycling Center (aka recycling mecca) is open Wed. and Sat. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In case you can't make it there yourself, here're some pictures to give you an idea of what it's like.

Pop 12-pack boxes (these can't be recycled curbside in most cities (except ones Eureka Recycling services) because the cardboard contains a wet-strength additive)

Hardcover books (highest-quality paper makes hardcover books very valuable for recycling)

Scrap metal

Scrap metal of all shapes and sizes!

Glass bottles (separated by color), aluminum cans (steel cans go in the scrap-metal bin) and #1 plastic (black #1 plastic collected separately)

The #1 plastics bin is practically filled to the top!

#5 plastic

Plastics are sorted by type in these bins

The Baler

Plastic bags (imagine how many thousands are in each baled bundle)

Corrugated cardboard

Oil filters

Mixed paper

Plastic bags prior to being baled

Baled #5 plastics

Polystyrene foam (aka Styrofoam)

Fluorescent tubes and CFLs

A big ol' tank for used oil

Bicycles get recycled by Mr. Michael Recycles Bicycles