SOCRRA

06/20/2026

From Bin to Bale - Part 7 of 7: Robots, AI & Plastic Sorting

We’ve followed the journey from bin to bale — from pickup and pre-sort to cardboard, paper, glass, and metal. Now, the remaining plastics move through the container sorting system, where technology helps separate materials by type.

At SOCRRA, robotics and AI-powered sorting systems use cameras, sensors, and robotic arms to identify plastics on the conveyor belt and sort them into the correct stream.

Each type of plastic is collected separately and baled into large cubes for shipping. Those bales are then sent to manufacturers, where the plastics can be processed and turned into new bottles, containers, carpeting, clothing, and other products.

This process takes people, technology, and teamwork. From the workers collecting materials at the curb to the teams operating and maintaining the facility, recycling depends on hardworking people every step of the way.

Thanks for following along with our Bin to Bale series. We hope it gave you a new appreciation for what happens after recyclables leave your cart and for the waste and recycling workers who make it possible every day. 💚

Previous series parts:
Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JMpCrZPYC/
Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KQmsf5qux/
Part 3: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EdHuqjgsW/
Part 4: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EMqEaPWDN/
Part 5: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FCTrWvbWD/
Part 6: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18iXw9HKLr/

06/19/2026

From Bin to Bale - Part 6 of 7: Sorting Metal
We’re continuing our Bin to Bale series for Waste Workers Recycling Week looking at how metal items are separated from the recycling stream.

First, powerful magnets pull steel cans, like soup, vegetable, and pet food cans, out of the recycling stream.

After that, an Eddy current system uses magnetic forces to push aluminum cans away from the rest of the materials.

Workers on quality control and 'last chance' lines also help recover missed steel and aluminum cans, making sure as much material as possible has the opportunity to be recycled.

The aluminum and steel are collected separately, then shipped out to be recycled into new cans and other products.

Stay tuned for the last part tomorrow as we finish the journey from bin to bale.

Previous series parts:
Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JMpCrZPYC/
Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KQmsf5qux/
Part 3: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EdHuqjgsW/
Part 4: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EMqEaPWDN/
Part 5: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FCTrWvbWD/

06/18/2026

From Bin to Bale - Part 5 of 7: Sorting Glass
We’re continuing our Bin to Bale series for Waste Workers Recycling Week. At this stage, glass falls through screens and moves through a glass trommel — a large rotating screen that helps break up the material and separate out smaller contaminants.

From there, the glass is cleaned and prepared for recycling. After cleanup, the crushed glass, called glass cullet, is collected in piles or loaded into containers before being shipped to manufacturers. That glass cullet can then be made into new glass products, giving the material another life instead of sending it to the landfill.

🍾♻️A reminder: recycle only accepted glass containers, and make sure they’re empty before placing them in your cart.

Stay tuned for Part 6 as we continue the journey from bin to bale.

Previous series parts:
Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JMpCrZPYC/
Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KQmsf5qux/
Part 3: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EdHuqjgsW/
Part 4: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EMqEaPWDN/

06/17/2026

From Bin to Bale - Part 4 of 7: 2D vs. 3D Materials
We’re continuing our Bin to Bale series for Waste Workers Recycling Week, following the journey your recyclables take through the sorting process.

Shape matters in a recycling facility. Flat materials like paper and cardboard move differently through the sorting equipment than 3D containers like bottles, jugs, and cans.

📦♻️That’s why it’s so important to break down cardboard boxes before placing them in your recycling cart. Flattened boxes are less likely to jam your cart during pickup, and once they arrive at the facility, they correctly travel with other paper fiber instead of being mistaken for 3D plastic containers.

Stay tuned for Part 5 as we continue the journey from bin to bale.

Previous series parts:
Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JMpCrZPYC/
Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KQmsf5qux/
Part 3: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EdHuqjgsW/

06/17/2026

From Bin to Bale - Part 3 of 7: Separating Cardboard
We’re continuing our Bin to Bale series for Waste Workers Recycling Week. After the pre-sort line, cardboard is one of the first materials to be separated.

Cardboard travels over a series of screens, while mixed paper and smaller items fall through. This helps separate larger cardboard from paper products like mail, office paper, newspaper, and other smaller fiber materials.

Once separated, cardboard is baled together and mixed paper is baled together. These bales are then sold to paper mills, where they can be turned into new products such as paper towels, tissue, cereal boxes, packaging, and new cardboard boxes.

Stay tuned for Part 4 as we continue the journey from bin to bale.

Previous series parts:
Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JMpCrZPYC/
Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KQmsf5qux/

06/15/2026

From Bin to Bale - Part 2 of 7: The Pre-Sort Line
We’re continuing our Bin to Bale series for Waste Workers Recycling Week, following what happens after your recyclables are picked up and taken to SOCRRA’s recycling facility.

After materials are placed on the conveyor belt, they move through the pre-sort line. This is one of the first and most important steps in the process, where workers manually remove large contaminants by hand before the materials continue through the system.

⚠️That’s why it is so important to keep hazardous and dangerous waste out of your recycling bin. Items like batteries, chemicals, sharps, propane tanks, electronics, and other unsafe materials do not belong in curbside recycling, and they can put workers directly in harm’s way.

Stay tuned for Part 3 as we continue the journey from bin to bale.

Previous series parts:
Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BmsetaVAp/

06/14/2026

Everyone creates trash and recycling, but most of the time, we don’t think much about it because someone else is taking care of it.

That “someone” is a waste worker.

Tomorrow starts Waste Workers Recycling Week, and it's an important reminder to recognize the hardworking people who collect, haul, sort, process, and manage the materials our communities create every single day. It may not be glamorous work, but it is essential. Without waste and recycling workers, the consequences would be serious and we would notice them immediately!

🗑️♻️To show our appreciation, everyday this week, we're taking you behind-the-scenes of the recycling process and follows what happens after your recyclables are picked up.

From Bin to Bale - Part 1 of 7: From Curbside to Conveyor
First stop: your recyclables are collected at the curb and taken to SOCRRA’s recycling facility. Once they arrive, they’re unloaded onto the tipping floor, then fed onto a conveyor belt where the real sorting begins.

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow as we continue the journey from bin to bale!

06/12/2026

06/05/2026

🍩 National Donut Day Disposal Tips

• Donut boxes: Recycle curbside after removing any liners and leftover food. Flatten the box before placing it in your recycling cart.
• Coffee cups: Recycle after emptying any liquid
• Coffee cup lids & stirrers: Trash
• Napkins: Trash (these can't be recycled, even if clean)

Treat the planet right while you treat yourself — Happy National Donut Day! 🍩♻️

Check the Waste Wizard for more disposal tips: socrra.org/waste-wizard

05/29/2026

Need to visit the SOCRRA Recycling Center on a Saturday? Appointments are now open for our June and July Saturday drop-off dates. The Recycling Center is open two Saturdays each month by appointment only.

Reserve your spot today!
https://www.socrra.org/

♻️Always check the FREE Waste Wizard tool if you're unsure of how to properly and safely dispose of an item. www.socrra.org/waste-wizard