Recycling question?

Question

can i mix a plastic with a recycling number of 2 and a plastic that has a recycling number of 5?thanks

Answer 1

It is possible, but probably not. Most recycling programs only accept plastics #1 & #2. Plastic can only be recycled about 7 times, before it is no longer recyclable. Why is this? When you look at plastic under a microscope, it's like a bunch of cells which break and deteriorate through the recycling process. This means that some new plastic always has to be added to the recycling process, in order to insure safety. Plastics with high numbers are more likely to be flimsier, lower quality plastics, and so much new material would need to be added to insure safety that really, it is not economically viable to recycle these plastics. Additionally, by the time you hit about #8, you've started getting into Styrofoam which is a man made material, and which requires almost the same amount of energy input as creating new mateials - again, not very economically savvy.

Answer 2

need more info, like in reference to what? what are you trying  to do.   If its concerning curbside city pickup, most city programs won't recycle #5 plastic, but will recycle #1, and #2.

If you are taking it to a recycling center, then ask what they accept.  Another thing, most container lids are different than the base, so always remove lids and if they don't have a number it is usually best to just throw them away.

Answer 3

You should contact your local recycling program to be for sure.

This article is from Wikipedia.com.

"Consumers can find out which plastics are accepted in their local area and how to recycle,prepare and transfer them by contacting their local recycling hauler (usually the local city or county solid waste or public works department, or a private company). Generally, paper labels do not need to be removed from plastic bottles or containers, but lids should be thrown away because they typically are made from a type of plastic that is not recyclable. Plastic bottles and containers must be rinsed, squashed, and placed in recycle bins for collection. Plastic grocery bags are often accepted by stores in recycling containers placed near the entranceways"

Answer 4

It depends on what the rules are.  Probably you can go to your local town's website and find out. In our case, we are only allowed to submit Plastics #1 and #2, which ticks me off! But we do mix thoem with glass, metal and juice cartons.  The papers go separately.