Can someone explain why some things can be recycled and otehr thing cant?

Question

In my community we can recycle plastics 1-7, but not plastic tubs. The Sun Flower Market I shop at makes their produce bags and meat trays so they can be recycled, but my company told me to stop putting them in the bin. IS it just my company that doesnt recycle these things? Can someone explain to me what I can and can not put into the bin?

Answer 1

It depends on who their recycler is, Ms K. Our recycler at work will take plastics 1-7, so long as it's in bottle form.

It also depends on their end buyers, and what those end buyers intend to do with the plastic. If they want to make more #1 water bottles, then they need pure type #1 plastic. If they are going to make a plastic insulation, they can use a variety of plastics.

You can do a little research yourself by contacting the recycler and asking what their material requirements are, just to see if that's true. And it most likely is.

Other areas in your community may accept them. It may take a little leg work, depending on your location.

Thanks for recycling!

Answer 2

It's all about economics. Some plastics are more lucrative than others when recycled. Theoretically, nearly anything can be recycled. For example, mixed plastics can be ground up and melted into the aggregate plastic "planks" you have probably seen at nature preserves and such. But the demand for such materials is rather low - for whatever reason, constructors still prefer wood. Plastics recyclers like to work with pure plastic of a specific type, hence the "1-7" classification.

Unfortunately, it is up to the local refuse company and the recyclers it has buying its products to determine what is recyclable and what isn't. If your plastic doesn't happen to have the market draw, it's not worth the refuse company's time to recycle it. Off to the landfill it goes to get buried for thousands of years!

I would ask the market where in your area it is possible to recycle the items. Perhaps they have a bin at the store itself. If enough people in your community care and the refuse company won't take the items, consider creating a neighborhood drop-off bin where the items can be gathered in enough quantity to be appealing to a recycler.

Answer 3

Frustrating isn't it?

It comes down to three words: "Where facilities exist."  Unless it is possible to recycle a particular material in your area in large enough quantities to be economical; it's all garbage!

The only thing you can do is try to change your shopping practices to maximize the materials you take home that your local waste management company DOES recycle.  But before you Recycle anything you need to realize that Reducing and Reusing are much more effective.

The waste management company or your town/city should have a website, brochure, or by-laws to explain what materials you can place in the recycling bins.

Answer 4

BECAUSE SOME OTHER ITEMS CAN BE MADE FROM WHAT YOU RE-CYCLE, WHEREAS WHAT CANT BE RE-CYCLED NOTHING CAN BE MADE FROM THEM.