Look for Javi the Javelina on new Peoria trucks collecting recyclable items in the city.

Javi's message is simple: Keep contamination out of the recycle container and recycle right. Contamination can spoil a whole truckload of material, causing it to be rejected at the materials recovery facility. Contaminated recycling also has a direct effect on solid waste service fees for all users.

Recycling diverts waste from the landfill to manufacturers that will use the material to make new products. Contamination in the recycle container may ruin an entire load of good recyclables. In Peoria's efforts to reduce contamination, the solid waste division is rolling out trucks wrapped with recycling tips. When you see Javi in your neighborhood, wave, say hello, and give him clean recyclables.

To learn more about recycling, visit the website at www.peoriaaz.gov/recycle. 

RELATED: Haldiman: Return plastic bags from whence they came, better yet — use reusable

Contamination occurs when:

--Non-recyclable materials are placed in the dark brown recycle container.

--Plastic bags are placed in the dark brown recycle container.

--Yard clippings/green waste are placed in the dark brown recycle container.

--Trash and food waste are placed in the dark brown recycle container.

After the recycle container is picked up from the curb, the recycling materials are brought to a sorting facility where they are separated by type. Loads with a high percentage of contaminants or non-recyclable materials are subject to rejection. When loads are rejected, they have an impact on solid waste service fees. The number one contaminant in the City of Peoria is plastic bags. Plastic bags can be repurposed, but they require specialized handling.

Putting the wrong items in the recycle bin can have a big impact on many levels:

--Contamination can undermine the environmental and cost-conscious efforts of recycling.

--Contamination can damage the equipment at the recycling plant.

--Contamination can prevent the sale of the material to the next user.

--Contamination leads to more volume of material in landfills, which then become more difficult to locate, and expensive to maintain.

Properly recycling household items leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reduces landfill waste, and helps keep workers at the materials recovery facility safe on the job by not creating a dangerous situation as a result of improper recycling.