COLUMBUS, OHIO – Rumpke Waste & Recycling is asking residents to keep the “game” on the court and out of the bin after a surprising trend has emerged at their Columbus Recycling & Resource Center: an influx of sports balls.
Footballs, soccer balls, and basketballs have become a frequent sight on the sorting lines at the facility, which processes thousands of pounds of material from over 50 Ohio counties every month. The company recently shared a photo of a mountain of collected sports equipment to highlight the growing issue of “wish-cycling”—the act of putting non-recyclable items in the bin in hopes that they will be repurposed.
Contamination and Safety Risks
While the intent behind recycling sports gear may be good, Rumpke officials warn that these items pose serious risks to the facility’s operations.
“Unacceptable items contaminate the stream and make it more difficult for us to collect the right materials,” said Joe Savage, Region Recycling Manager. “They can also potentially damage equipment and even spark fires if they contain a battery, such as those found in some modern ‘smart’ sports equipment or electronics.”
The Columbus facility uses advanced sorting technology, but Savage emphasizes that automated systems still rely on residents following the rules. “Education is absolutely central to successful operations,” he noted.
Back to the Basics
To help residents avoid a “penalty” in their recycling efforts, Rumpke is reminding the community to stick to the basics. Standard curbside programs are designed for high-volume, easily processed materials, not household goods or athletic gear.
The “Acceptable” List Includes:
- Plastics: Bottles, tubs, jugs, cups, and clear clamshell containers.
- Metals: Aluminum, tin, and steel beverage and food cans.
- Glass: Bottles and jars of any color.
- Cartons: Milk, juice, and broth cartons (caps and straws removed).
- Paper & Cardboard: Magazines, newspapers, and clean pizza boxes.
Items like mattresses, bed sheets, clothing, bowling balls, and the recently highlighted sports balls should be donated or disposed of through other means.
See the Process Firsthand
For those looking to improve their recycling game, Rumpke offers free educational tours of the Columbus facility. These tours allow residents to see the recycling process in real-time and better understand how proper sorting at the curb translates to a cleaner environment.
Proper recycling helps divert valuable materials from landfills, saves energy, and preserves natural resources. For a comprehensive list of what can and cannot be recycled, residents are encouraged to visit Rumpke.com.
