WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council is frustrated about the idea of items meant for recycling ending up in the landfill because some residents are careless about what they try to recycle.

The town’s trash collector, Advanced Disposal, sent notice to the town that unauthorized items in the recycling bins are causing large amounts of legitimate recyclables to end up in the landfill. This, say town officials, is the antithesis of why recycling is done in the first place.

“Residents are placing Styrofoam, yard waste and other non-recyclables in the recycling containers,” said Town Coordinator Craig Allebach. “That means that it all goes to the dump instead of them trying to sort it out.”

According to Allebach, the issue isn’t simply about residents being unsure of what is recyclable and what isn’t. He said that some residents are placing things in with recyclables that are obviously not intended to go to material recovery facilities.

“One even recycled a dead fish,” said Allebach, pointing out that when a single container violates the rules of recycling, it affects more than just that one container. “The result of placing non-recyclables into recycling containers is that the truckload is rejected at the recycling center and has to be transported to the landfill to be dumped as regular garbage.”

Town Council Member Tecy Banta was verbally frustrated with the issue.

“Truckloads of stuff going to the dump instead of going into recycling because somebody leaves some Styrofoam in it — it’s astounding that people can’t read and comply,” said Banta. “It’s really important, I think, that we take note of that and spread that word.

The council issued a press release that stressed that residents can study recycling guidelines by visiting the town’s website at www.winonalake.net.

“Let’s not jeopardize our recycling service in Winona Lake,” said the press release.