Plastics Recycling Chart: Can You Recycle That?
ADVERTISEMENT
More reasons to make and use hemp containers. Biodegradable and sustainable. I’m left with a bunch of 5pp because nobody will take them for recycle. Recycling industry can’t keep up with all the different plastics being made, but they keep on making them out of our precious resources
seconding this ✌🏼😀
One way to save millions of tons of PET is to boycott bottled water!
Here in Germany tap water is absolutely safe to drink (it's the most closely controlled foodstuff, constantly checked for pollutants). Despite this, 10 billion litres of bottled mineral water (which is less stringently controlled) are sold each year, not counting soft drinks like cola! These bottles of water are then transported over long distances - a huge waste of energy and source of CO².
Buy a reusable stainless steel bottle and drink tapwater. You also save a LOT of money!! The cheapest mineralwater in the supermarket cost 90 time more than tapwater!
its hard not to use it but i started buying bottled water,mayo ,mustard etc in glass containers.Its just me but its a start.I wont buy anything in styrofoam .Its very hard to avoid plastics plus its made from petroleum
Can you recycle any of the materials listed above if they are used for food. I heard that if it has food “waste” on it like some form of plastic bowl/plate it is not recyclable, it is considered contaminated and thrown in land fill. Also, what goes into a compost collection pile? I do believe many cities are collecting sorted materials. But, because it’s a complicated and costly process, many cities aren’t paying a sorting facilities to pull out the materials that can be recycled or reused. I have shared this article with my family and friends. I will print and hang a copy for easy reference in my recycling area. Thank you for very thorough and helpful information and advice that we can use daily. I read the Almanac every day and I am really impressed by your publication. Julie, a long time Almanac fan.
Dear Julie,
Anything that’s listed that was used for containing or storing food can be recycled—if it is recyclable, that is! As to your question regarding what belongs in the compostable collection pile, than usually is specific to the facility. Some will take food scraps that include meat and/or bones, but others do not. Check with your transfer station attendant for specifics if signs don’t make it clear.
—The Editors
We think we are doing something good for the environment but it’s a lie. Most everything we clean out and faithfully put into the recycle can or bags just goes into the dump. We unfortunately are just lied to. But I continue to recycle hoping one day it will actually be done.
After reading through the comments, I'll add that in my community (Broward County, FL) the cities and county no longer recycle ANYTHING. They burn what used to be recycled. Some waste is dumped on an ever growing mountain of garbage while supposed recycle items are burned. I still don't know how they discern the differences. I live about 8 miles from the facility which burns all recycle materials which is deemed "safe" because the temperature of the burn is so intense. Just waiting for that pollution shoe to drop. It is virtually impossible to avoid plastic containers and utensils. Miami Beach has an ordinance banning plastic straws, just not sure it is a difference maker at this point, with the uncontrollable Spring Breakers. Sadly the efforts are NOT unified by city, county, state. The actions should be federal.
Can headlight assembles be recycled ?
depends on the community. your local collision center may take these in for their recycling programs. otherwise some of these units may have circuits inside. then, these are e-recycled. most of these are made with plastic ABS that is not yet readily recyclable in the USA.