Lottie Sortwell is the name given to our new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted chatbot for answering your questions and providing the latest information about recycling in the City of Hayward.
Our recycling program uses a combination of machinery and hand sorting at the recycling facility to manage items such as bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. However, placing non-recyclable items in the recycling container can contaminate valuable materials, causing them to be sent to the landfill instead.
In addition, some non-recyclable items can damage equipment at the recycling facility. For example, garden hoses and clothes hangers are not recyclable and often get caught in the recycling equipment, resulting in operational shutdowns and costly repairs.
To avoid all of this, keep in mind the following tips when recycling in Hayward:
- Don’t place bagged recycling or plastic bags in the recycling.
- Dump your recyclables directly into the recycle cart and toss the plastic bag in the trash.
- Film plastics and flimsy plastics go in the trash, even if they have a recycling symbol.
- Pizza boxes go in the organics cart.
- All extruded polystyrene foam (aka StyrofoamTM)—weather used for food or from packaging—goes in the trash.
And, if in doubt, contact Lottie Sortwell and simply ask.
