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Coronavirus
As a new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) swept through the world in 2020, preparedness plans, masking policies and more public policy changed just as quickly. WVXU has covered the pandemic's impact on the Tri-State from the very beginning, when on March 3, 2020, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine barred spectators from attending the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus over concerns about the virus, even though Ohio had yet to confirm a single case of COVID-19.

Following Recyling Rules Could Help Prevent Spread Of COVID-19, Rumpke Says

Ann Thompson
/
WVXU
If customers follow the recycling rules, Rumpke says it will help keep its drivers well.

In the interest of public health, Kenton County is suspending its "Big Blue Recyle Bin" program and is in the process of removing bins from their locations. Rumpke Recycling is continuing but urges customers to help protect its drivers.

In a release, Kenton County says the "safety and health of those involved in the program was a leading factor in this decision" to stop the program.

Rumpke drivers are taking precautions to avoid COVID-19. Spokeswoman Molly Yeager says they wear gloves and safety glasses. The company is urging them to wash their hands more frequently, use hand sanitizer and not touch their face.

What Can Customers Do?

"A lot of our drivers have noted that a lot of tissues and paper towels are loose in trash containers and it causes them concern," says Yeager. To ease their minds, Yeager asks customers to bag their trash.

As far as recycling is concerned, she says the recyclables should be loose but tissues and paper towels shouldn't be in the recycling container.

Here's what you can recycle.

Because recyclables are used to make toilet paper and boxes that companies like Amazon ship, Yeager says this makes it even more important to follow the recycling rules.

Ann Thompson has decades of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting.