Starting next week, St. Paul residents putting out their recycling no longer will have to separate bottles from plastics or paper — all of it can simply go together in one bin.

St. Paul will begin single-sort recycling on April 7 through its contractor, Eureka Recycling. Several cities, including Minneapolis, have moved to single-sort recycling to increase participation.

For the first time, St. Paul also will accept plastic food and beverage containers marked with the numbers 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7. They include such things as yogurt, butter, produce and transparent "to go" containers.

The city's 2014 budget, approved last year, included funding to improve and promote the city's recycling program.

Also in April, Ramsey County will recycle organic waste at most waste sites.

Kevin Duchschere

@KDuchschere