Recycling question.

[hippywife]

We've been hauling everything we could possibly recycle into town for some time now. I recently looked at the website for the org that collects the stuff. It says they only accept #1 and #2 plastics. I didn't know that so we've been taking them everything. They say it's because of the different melting temperature. I also recall reading somewhere that the other plastics are not that much in demand but, hell!, it seems like everything in the grocery store is packaged in either #4 or #5. I now feel like I can't buy sour cream, cottage cheese, feta cheese...all kinds of things that are in this unacceptable plastic packaging. This is extremely frustrating!

Is this just a local issue or does anyone else's recycler have the same restriction?

[NMDemDist2]

1. luckily our recycler takes it all, but those containers can be reused over and over

use em to start seedlings, store nuts and bolts in the garage, for paint and crafts projects, for left overs

I always try to keep a few of them around for those projects

[hippywife]

3. I keep many of them, too,

to use for storing things in the fridge and for packing lunches in (we stopped buying baggies and garbage bags early last year.) But, dang! how many of them can you possibly keep. And many of the lids on #1 and #2 are made of the other plastics that they don't take.

How ya doin' this evening? :hi:

[tanyev]

2. Same thing here for the City of Plano.

It bothers me, too.

[hippywife]

4. It would be really nice if

there was some movement afoot to force the food producers to stop using these plastics, as well as styrofoam. That's another sore spot for me. We get our eggs locally now and send the empty cartons to the friend we get them from, so they do get reused but how many of them from the groceries are ending up in the landfill? There's absolutely no reason at all they can't all use the pressed paper cartons. Burns my biscuits, it does!

[navarth]

5. don't forget to insist on paper bags

the plastic ones are an ecological nightmare.

I'm pretty obnoxious at the grocery store. I tell 'em I want paper. 'Plastic bags are evil. Pass it on'.

Some of them look at me like I'm from Mars. Fuck 'em. Some get the message.

Gotta try every day, every little way possible. For the great grandkids, and all the other life we're destroying.

[hippywife]

6. Already do one better.

I have five very large canvas bags I take with me. I do agree with you whole-heartedly tho.

[Massacure]

10. Paper bags are still an ecological nightmare. You should bring your own cloth bag.

Paper produces more air and water pollution than plastic does and requires vast amounts of trees, but plastics persist in the environment for thousands of years.

[OKIsItJustMe]

7. Fortunately, our county takes 'em all 1-7

Unfortunately, they don't take styrofoam (they used to.)

That alone is enough of a frustration.

[izquierdista]

8. Plastics in general

Here's a page which tells what the different numbers are: http://www.kdheks.gov/kdsi/pg10_symbols_defined.html

Just because one location doesn't accept some types doesn't mean it can't be recycled. Part of the problem with recycling plastic is that old plastic undergoes some chemical degradation that makes it unacceptable for some of the uses it had when first made. Look for places which are less picky about their specifications in their incoming plastic. Carpet and rug manufacturers are able to recycle large amounts of plastics into fibers, backing and padding, since in many applications the plastic is unseen. You could also contact your local injection molder and see if they are using recycled material in any of their runs and are they buying any categories. Again, their quality requirements vary widely, and the less particular applications can accept a wider amount of recycled filler.

Another factor may be the volume generated. If only a small volume is being generated, rather than wait for a truckload to pile up, some people may think it more cost-effective to landfill it. In that case, see if there is a waste-to-energy facility that can burn it. Depending on the furnace technology they are using, they may be able to turn unsightly plastic litter into kilowatts.

[hippywife]

9. Well, they closed

the waste to energy plant in town, I'm pretty sure. Remember hearing the plans to do so on the news a couple of years ago. And the recyling org I talks stuff to is the only show in town. I will have to look into your other suggestions. Not sure how viable they are since I'm not familiar with any of these types of manufacturers in the area.

Since practically every "non-bottle" plastic in the grocery is usually 4 & 5, and there's tons and tons of stuff packaged in it, I would think the volume would be considerable!

Thanx for the other ideas! I'll check 'em out!