Recyclables are worth billions

It once was junk and tossed aside, but now recycled trash is stuffing the state’s coffers as well as the wallets of many Minnesotans.
The stuff that once was trash delivers $3.4 billion worth of economic treasures, according to a new report issued last week by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The report shows that the conversion of used or old products into new ones created 60,215 jobs, $3.4 billion in wages and $26 billion worth of sales last year, or roughly 6 percent of the state’s economy. 
The MPCA reported its findings to state legislators, as required by law. The last time a report like this had been done was in 2011. Since that time, the state has gained 1,700 jobs because of recycling. Direct jobs created by recycling have grown from 8,700 in 1996 to 18,029 last year, MPCA reports. 
Dodge County recycled 1,375 tons of single sort items like cans, plastics, cardboard and newspapers last year, according to Rita Cole, environmental technician for the county. That figure doesn’t include nearly 400 additional tons of other items, including scrap metal, tires, electronics and appliances. 
Asked if people are recycling the proper items, Cole said that’s where more education is needed. She said non-recyclable materials include packaging from frozen foods, food contaminated items like pizza boxes, plastic bags and Styrofoam products. Some plastics are also not acceptable. Generally, the higher the number, the more difficult it is to recycle. Numbers 1 through 7 are accepted. 
Residents in Dodge County can drop off recyclables are