Scottsbluff Environmental Services Coordinator Clarence Rotherham is asking residents who are recycling to properly sort their materials before the city picks them up. Rotherham says the city has seen more people mix recycling items, or even place trash in with the items, which he says is costing city employees extra time to separate.

Rotherham says those recycling need to make sure they remove leftover food, detergent, milk and whatever else is in the items before they place them in their recycle bin. Rotherham believes many of those who are not correctly sorting recyclables are new customers who haven't been educated on the process. He says if people have questions, they should not hesitate to call his office.

Kathy Kropuenske with Keep Scottsbluff-Gering Beautiful says she is encouraged by the increase in the number of people recycling, but reiterates it needs to be done properly so it is easy to get the items to their destination.