CURRENT PLASTIC RECYCLING SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCESSES:

*Please leave the lids for plastic cleaning supply bottles and beverage bottles intact. We only accept #1 and #2 plastics, all others will not be accepted and returned for resident to dispose properly. 

NO SORTING (RINSE AND DRY-NO NEED TO WASH EXTENSIVELY)

Plastics #1 (PET OR PETE):

Polyethylene terephthalate, also called PET, is the name of a type of clear, Strong, lightweight and 100% recyclable plastic. Unlike other types of plastic, PET plastic is not single-use -- it is 100% recyclable, versatile, and made to be remade.

• COMMON EXAMPLES: peanut butter jars, plastic soda and water bottles, microwavable food trays, and salad dressing bottles.

Plastics #2 (HDPE):

HDPE is used for a wide variety of products, including bottles, packaging containers, drums, automobile fuel tanks, toys and household goods. It is also used for packaging many household and industrial chemicals such as detergents and bleach.

• COMMON EXAMPLES: milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, butter tubs. (Thicker plastics than soda bottles.)

Why are we not able to recycle more plastic?

We recycle roughly 9% of plastics consumed and around 75% of all plastics are fully recyclable thermoplastics. There are many reasons that we are not able to recycle more plastics; however, the biggest reason is simple. They are not being returned after consumption into the recycling stream and go to landfills which is referenced in the EPA capture rate. Contamination is another reason and was the largest contributing factor to what would be become a plastic crisis in 2017 as China introduced the Operation National Sword. China was the world’s largest market for recycled matters like plastics and paper. The growing contamination rate, cost of labor, and new technology are among the reasons for the change. There was no longer a key buyer for large amounts of plastics. Countries were and are currently pressuring manufacturers to change product materials, create new recycling facilities that could handle the amount of product, and secure recycled material streams, to meet these demands. While some plastics can be recycled many times, each time plastic is recycled it loses its qualities and becomes less valued so it needs to be used in products that are indifferent to these changes in quality. Finding a stream or buyer for these materials becomes more difficult and is also another common reason that items may not be recycled. You can read more about some of the largest beverage manufacturers plans at the Recycle Partnership here: https://recyclingpartnership.org/everybottleback/

Different types of plastic need different processes to identify and recycle the material and not all plastics are created in the same manner, nor are they recyclable. There are 7 classification codes to identify plastics as show below. The green triangles labeled 1 and 2 are easiest to recycle and usually accepted at most centers and curbside. #3 is flexible type plastic use in some kids toys and household products and cannot be recycled. The #4 and #5 codes are recyclable; however, these stretchy type plastic items (like plastic bags, bread bags, sandwich bags, etc) get hung in most facilities machines and cause safety hazards, machine breakdowns, and are not easily removed; therefore, not accepted. #6 is Styrofoam products in the form of disposable cups, bowls, and cutlery. #7 is usually made up of multiple types and otherwise unidentified plastics that can only sometimes be recycled.
Association of Plastic Recyclers

CURRENT CARDBOARD, PAPERBOARD, AND MIXED PAPER SORTING GROUPS:

SORTING REQUIRED (NO ITEMS WITH FOOD OR ORGANIC MATTER IS ACCEPTED, SOME GREASE OR OTHER UNREMOVABLE SOILING MAY BE ACCEPTED)

CARDBOARD AND PAPERBOARD SORTING GROUP 1: 

Corrugated Cardboard is a multiple layer structure and could have fluted or wavy middle layers between sheets of paper.

COMMON EXAMPLES: Cardboard Packing Boxes

After recycling, cardboard fibers start to thin and it is used to make paperboard or bendable chipboard.

COMMON EXAMPLES: Cereal, Cracker Boxes, Cake Mix, and Other Thin Food Boxes, etc. 

CARDBOARD AND PAPER SORTING GROUP 2 - NEWSPAPER: 

Newspaper in the category will be donated to the Jackson Animal Care Center as they use this for their Kennels. Regular sized newspaper only; no junk mail; or small ad inserts.

COMMON EXAMPLES: Full Size Newspapers

MIXED PAPER SORTING GROUP: 

COMMON EXAMPLES:  Magazines, Junk Mail, and Shredded Paper

     ***All newspaper goes to the Animal Center when needed.

     ***All shredded paper should be tied in a clear bag and the bag placed in the bin. No colored bags with shredded paper. 

CURRENT METAL RECYCLING SORTING GROUPS: 

SORTING REQUIRED (RINSE AND DRY-NO NEED TO WASH EXTENSIVELY)

 METALS SORTING GROUP 1  - ALL SIZES/TYPES OF BEVERAGE CANS

  This metal sorting group is characterized by the type of use of the metal rather than the type of metal to make it easier for sorting. All metal beverage cans of any shape and size are accepted in this category. 

•  COMMON EXAMPLES: Metal Beverage Cans like soda cans, energy drinks, or any metal can containing a liquid for consumption.

METALS SORTING GROUP 2 - ALL FOOD RELATED CANS

  This metal sorting group is for all types of food cans. These are people food and animal food cans along with any other type of metal you may use for cooking like pots and pans.

  COMMON EXAMPLES:  Metal Cookware, Gadgets, Some Bottle Caps, Soup/Tuna Fish/Pet Food Cans, Cooking Utensils.

  COMMON EXAMPLES: Coated Metals, Brass and Brass Fittings, Copper, Wrought Iron, Metal Piping, etc.

METALS SORTING GROUP 3 (LARGE/OTHER METALS):

This metal sorting group is for larger sized scrap metal large which is accepted in the open-top bins to be serviced by metal vendor. *Must be broken into manageable pieces for bins.

COMMON EXAMPLES: Bicycles, Trampoline Legs, Metal Bed Frames, Metal Umbrellas, Coated Metals, Brass and Brass Fittings, Copper,  Wrought Iron, Metal Piping, etc.

PROCEDURES FOR UNKNOWN METALS:

 Because metals are generally harder to identify, attendants will be available to help with any questions about how to sort these materials.