Janesville Operations Director John Whicomb wants residents to no longer put plastic grocery bags or Styrofoam in the recycling.
He said China is no longer importing recyclable materials, and it’s having a ripple effect on the international recycling market.
The city contracts out their recycling to a facility in Whitewater, and they’re losing money on recycled goods because of China’s changes.
Whitcomb also asked residents to break down their cardboard boxes before recycling them so they don’t get contaminated.
Residents should rinse out any items that once held food or drink before putting them in the blue-and-gray bins, he said.
He said some local businesses accept recycled plastic grocery bags, but they can also simply be thrown away.
