Even though state law requires us to recycle certain materials, like No. 1 and No. 2 plastics, don't expect to be fined if you're not willing to comply ... at least not yet.

This summer, Charlotte started its switch to single-stream recycling. More than 300,000 95-gallon rollout carts — containing RFID chips — have been distributed to Queen City citizens.

North Carolina law requires the recycling of aluminum cans and items made from plastic types No. 1 (polyethylene terephthalate, used in water and soda bottles) and No. 2 (high-density polyethylene, found in milk jugs and detergent). But the city says penalties haven’t been proposed for those who fail to participate.

“The city of Charlotte has no plans on fining residents,” says Brandi Williams, special projects manager for the city’s solid waste department, in an e-mailed response.

Read the rest of this Charlotte Business Journal article, by Susan Stabley, here.

Why should you recycle? Here's one reason: