There are recycling bins that collect different types
of plastic at all the H.E.B. and Randall’s grocery stores, Home Depots and
Lowes Home Centers, Targets, and Wal-Marts in Austin, Texas. These bins,
unfortunately, have very incomplete listings of what they will accept. In fact, according to Plastic Film
Recycling’s website, http://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/,
they accept many items that are not listed as being recyclable. Items they do accept are:
- All clean and dry zip lock bags.
- Plastic cereal box liners (if it tears like paper, do not include); this includes the bags from cereal boxes, crackers, and biscuit and cake mixes (they must be clean and dry).
- All film and plastic wrap that surrounds packs of toilet paper, water bottles, and paper towels.
- Plastic bags - retail, newspaper, dry cleaning, bread, produce, and other plastic bags labeled #2 and #4. Please do not include food bags, such as those from frozen vegetables or salad mixes.
- Plastic shipping envelopes, including Tyvek®, bubble wrap, and air pillows (remove labels and/or deflate).
- Furniture and electronic wrap.
If you live outside of Austin, the website above lists
all collection locations in the U.S., and a complete list of items collected at
these bins.
Recycling more plastics has greatly reduced the amount
of trash that goes into my garbage can.
It is amazing how much room the film covering my Sam’s Club paper
towels, takes up.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK RECYCLING QUESTIONS IN THE
COMMENT SECTION OF THIS BLOG IF YOU LIVE IN AUSTIN. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON CREATIVE
WAYS TO RECYCLE LOCALLY.
I love this blog. I was not aware of the huge amounts of plastic that are accepted at the recycling locations. Great news!
ReplyDeleteWhat about those plastic bags that carrots and potatoes come in?
ReplyDeletePlastic bags that potatoes and carrots come in are recyclable as long as the bags are clean and dry. Specifically the web site says "no" to pre washed salad mix bags and frozen vegetable bags. I will try to find out from the company why certain bags are unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteI did more research and found out that frozen vegetable bags and pre-mixed salad bags have a barrier polymer added to the plastic. This keeps the frozen food from getting freezer burn and helps the salad mix stay fresher longer. However, this polymer keeps these plastic bags from being recyclable.
ReplyDeleteI also learned that plastic bags that have come in contact with meat products should not be placed in the plastic recycling bins.