Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Plastic recycle numbers guide

But I'm already recycled

Quick plastic recycle number guide from the Eco Village Green website, article by Joe Barrios, 4/1/09.  "What do the plastic recycling numbers mean?"

Plastic #1:     Clear.  Most disposable soda and water bottles (not for multiple use though).
Plastic #2:     Opaque.  Most milk jugs, detergent bottles, juice bottles, butter tubs, and toiletries bottles.
Plastic #3:     Food wrap, bottles for cooking oil near heat, and plumbing pipes.
Plastic #4:     Grocery bags, some food wraps, squeezable bottles, and bread bags.
Plastic #5:     Wide neck containers, opaque water bottles, medicine bottles, ketchup and syrup bottles, and straws.
Plastic #6:    Polystyrene, or Styrofoam.  Disposable containers and packaging, disposable plates and cups.
Plastic #7:    A variety of modern plastics, other food or drink containers, i-pods, cases. 

.... ".. Plastics #2, #4 and #5 are generally considered safe. Plastic #1 is safe too but should not be re-used due to the risk of growing bacteria.

Any other plastic should be used with extreme caution, especially around food or drink. The risk is even greater when heating food. For microwaving in particular, remember that microwave safe containers aren’t necessarily healthy. They just won’t melt. In general, it’s better to avoid microwaving plastic entirely and stick to glass."  Read article.

Related - The Daily Green, a consumer's guide to green from Good Housekeeping.com.  Quicken Loans.com, "Plastic recycling, what do those numbers mean," Krissy Schwab, 9/18/12.  And of course local  recycling information:  Recology of the Coast.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kathy

Maybe you can ask Chris Porter from Recology to post the schedule for the blue can recycling. One neighbor puts it out on the wrong week, and everyone does.

I looked on the Recology website and couldn't find it.

Thanks

Kathy Meeh said...

" post the schedule for the blue can recycling." Anonymous 7:57 AM

Good idea, we'll follow-up. My neighbor has also put out the blue recycle cart on the off weeks, and he's the smartest one on the block (lol).

Chris Porter, General Manager of Recology of the Coast said...

Hi all. To get pickup day, go to www.recologyofthecoast.com and hit the residential tab. Scroll down to Printable Material, after all the item information, and select street listing.

Anonymous said...

Thanks!

I have always said look at all the jackasses who have the wrong can out today lol

Good to know I was one of them jackasses yesterday.

Anonymous said...

What can we do to get the Blue bin picked up every week? Once every 2 weeks is not enough and my usually fills up within the week after pick up.

Anonymous said...

How bout the green waste can be picked up every 2 weeks its normally only 1/3rd full?