A green and sustainable city is a community of residents, neighbors, workers and visitors who strive together to balance ecological, economic and social needs to ensure a clean, healthy and safe environment for all members of society and for generations to come. Clayton has always been a leader in the environmental movement.  Click here for details about Clayton's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

Recent News

Clayton updates its Residential Composting Ordinance to allow the reuse of specific household waste materials for mulching as an alternative to landfill disposal.

The Clayton Green Sheet is available to provide information on sustainable development resources to Architectural and Site Plan Review applicants.  Energy efficient buildings that are designed, constructed and operated for optimal performance and resource conservation are able to demonstrate reduced negative environmental impacts, improved occupant wellbeing and profitability from energy savings.

Clayton installs two BigBelly Solar Trash Compactors.

Clayton launches campaign to become the first city in the region to earn designation of "Green Power Community" in a new EPA partnership. . . read more.

Question & Answer

Question:
What do the number and recycling symbol on plastic containers mean?

Answer:
The number surrounded by the triangle of arrows on plastic containers is a Resin Identification Code.  This number tells what type of plastic the container is made of.  Different numbers can be recycled in different communities.  In Clayton's residential recycling program, numbers 1,2,3,4,5 and 7 may be recylced in a single stream collection along with aluminum, steel and tin cans, glass bottles and jars and paper products.  All materials to be recycled should be emptied and cleaned.
    
Materials collected in Clayton are taken to material recovery facilities and automatically separated.  Unlike the recycling process for metals, glass and paper, the plastics recycling process involves shredding, purifying, melting and remolding into new materials.  For example, the milk jugs you recycle may be in the form of writing pens or picnic tables the next time you see them.  Click here to learn more about the different Resin Identification Codes and their recycling potential.

Direct sunlight can heat a room by as much as twenty degrees.  During the day, close the shades and blinds in your house to reduce the amount of sunlight heating up your home.  You'll notice a reduction in the energy required to cool your home in the summer months, and your energy bill will reflect these savings.