Recycling PlasticRecycling plastic can be a major headache. Of all the recyclables, plastic is my least favorite. I’m going to put the blame on manufacturers and not beat my self up over this one. One guy can only do so much. In my opinion plastic is the Achilles heel of the green movement. It is everywhere, it takes forever to decompose, lots of it isn’t even marked as to what type of plastic it is, and it is not easily recycled. On that happy note, let’s talk about what we can do.
Identify Your PlasticWhen recycling plastic you first need to identify it. Look for the recycle symbol, this will be three arrows in a triangle shape. The number in the center identifies the type of plastic. Sometimes the number will be present with a series of letters. If you can’t find the symbol, chances are high that it is not recyclable anywhere. A number 1 signifies PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate). This plastic is common in soda bottles and milk cartons. A number 2 signifies HDPE (high density polyethylene). This is normally used for plastic grocery bags and juice bottles. A number 3 signifies PVC or V (polyvinyl chloride). A number 4 signifies LDPE (low density polyethylene) A number 5 signifies PP (polypropylene) A number 6 signifies PS (polystyrene) A number 7 signifies OTHER Generally speaking only number one and two plastics are easily recyclable. If you have access to recycling facilities for other types of plastic please utilize them.
Wash and StoreAfter you have identified your plastic, you will need to wash it or at least rinse it if it has food or other residue in it. Squish the container as flat as possible. Store your items until recycle day. Recycling plastic in our area involves placing it in a large bin at the drop off point. Plastics go in the same bin as metal cans, so I store them together in a wire bin that fits in my trunk. I try to keep items that recycle together, stored together. When the bin is full I take it in and dump it. A Few Thoughts on Recycling PlasticWhen possible, patronize companies that use recyclable plastics. Try not to buy plastics that you can’t recycle. I know, good luck with this one, but hang in there at some point they have got to listen to us and quit manufacturing stuff that we can‘t dispose of in an environmentally friendly way. Buy the product in a glass container if available. Buy products that incorporate less packaging. Use cloth shopping bags and reuse them over and over again. The draw back is that the majority of us forget to take them with us. If you don’t need a bag, ask them not to bag it. Why put your milk in a bag, it already has a handle. In the last few years it has become easier to recycle bags marked no. 2. I do try to reuse them if possible before recycling. When packing for a trip I wrap my shoes in them and throw a few extra in my suitcase just in case I need them. This is especially handy when traveling with children as you never know when you will need to tote the newest rock collection home. Dairy products (cottage cheese, sour cream, etc.) seem to come in hard to recycle plastic containers. These are reusable and make really nice take out containers after Thanksgiving, etc. The best part is, if they are leaving your house and going to someone else’s, you are off the hook. They are also good for craft storage and make great paint brush cleaning tubs in the craft room. You may be able to donate them to a senior center, daycare or youth group for their craft and storage needs. I have not heard of any facilities that are recycling plastic packaging, and I have yet to come up with a good way to reuse it. The only thing I can advise is avoid it when possible. Styrofoam ( number 6 polystyrene) is another plastic that is hard to recycle. It is used to make egg cartons and disposable plates. I just resist temptation on buying the plates and get paper instead. It is sometimes harder to avoid the egg cartons. I wash and reuse them (we still have a few chickens kicking around). Check in your local paper or farm market for people selling farm eggs. You may be able to give them your cartons when you are done with them. When we had lots of chickens and tons of eggs we would give a dozen eggs to people that brought us a large stack of cartons. Sometimes daycares and preschools will be looking for egg cartons for craft projects, so check around to see if someone can reuse them for you. In conclusion, recycling plastic is easy as long as it is number 1 or 2. Avoid the others if possible or figure out a way to reuse them. Write letters to companies that use excessive, or hard to recycle packaging, let them know how you feel. Click here to leave Recycling Plastic and return to Recycling Basics
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