September 2013 Residential Communications Resources
Topic: Plastics Recycling
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Article/Blog
Caps, Bags and Yogurt Cups – Recycling Plastic
With advancements in recycling technology, the types of plastics that can be recycled
have expanded in the past year. Here are some tips for reducing and recycling plastics.
First step is to reduce
Before we talk plastics recycling, let's talk avoiding plastic in the first place.
 Use reusable water bottles
 Bring reusable bags to the grocery store
 Bring reusable containers to a farmer's market to carry produce
Buying in bulk is a great way to reduce packaging waste, save money and try new foods
in small quantities. When purchasing other products, consider choosing the product with
the least packaging.
What's new
Most curbside recycling programs have started taking additional plastics – including
yogurt cups, cottage cheese tubs and berry and deli containers – in the past year. In
addition, containers for cream cheese, ricotta cheese, margarine, medicine, food storage
and clamshell to-go boxes are collected by most haulers. If your hauler does not accept
certain plastics, find drop-off locations near you at RethinkRecycling.com.
Caps are okay! Empty the container and put the cap back on recyclable bottles, such as
milk, juice, beverage, liquid detergent, shampoo, and more.
Plastic bags are usually not accepted in curbside recycling with your other plastics;
however, they are collected in bins throughout the metropolitan area at many grocery
stores, as well as some county recycling centers. This includes nearly any type of bag as
long as it doesn't contain food, is dry and isn't a specialty item like bubble wrap. Learn
more at www.itsinthebagmn.org.
Please note, not all plastic is recyclable. Call your municipal recycling coordinator or
hauler to learn what types of plastic you can recycle at curbside.
You've got my number
How many times have you asked yourself, "I wonder if this is recyclable?" Most plastic
containers, some bags and other plastics come labeled with the chasing arrow symbol
containing a number inside of it. The number describes the type of plastic used to make
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a part of its
Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling materials by sending an
e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the materials were used, the date(s)
published, and the estimated reach.
the product – it doesn't necessarily mean it's recyclable. Hennepin County offers a great
guide to plastic numbers, but check with your municipal recycling coordinator for how to
recycle various items locally.
To find more information on recycling plastics, go to RethinkRecycling.com.
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September Social Media
FACEBOOK
With advancements in recycling technology, the types of plastics that can be recycled
have expanded. See our new blog for some tips for reducing and recycling plastics. (blog
link)
Recycling plastic is great, but avoiding plastic is better! Use reusable water bottles, bring
reusable bags to the grocery store, bring reusable containers to a farmer's market to
carry produce. What ways are you avoiding plastic use?
Are yogurt cups, cottage cheese tubs and deli containers recyclable? In most cases, yes!
It depends on where you live and who picks up your recycling. Learn more about plastics
recycling at http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/other-plastics
Did You Know? Over 500,000 pounds of plastic shopping bags can be recycled each year
in the metro area. More at http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materialsname/plastic-shopping-bags
Buying in bulk is a great way to reduce packaging waste, save money, and try new foods
in small quantities. Click here for more on buying in bulk
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/reduce/buying-bulk-bins
Properly disposing of medicines is important to prevent abuse or poisoning and protect the
environment. See how here http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materialsname/medicine-prescription-drugs.
Do you ask yourself, "Is this recyclable?" Remember, not all plastic is recyclable at
curbside – call your municipal recycling coordinator or hauler for details.
(http://bit.ly/15pj9BH)
You can leave your caps on! Empty the container and put the cap back on recyclable
bottles, such as milk, juice, beverage, liquid detergent, shampoo, and more.
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a part of its
Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling materials by sending an
e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the materials were used, the date(s)
published, and the estimated reach.
What do I do with all these plastic bags? They're usually not accepted in curbside
recycling with your other plastics, so take them to bins at grocery stores or some county
recycling centers. No food goo allowed! Learn more at www.itsinthebagmn.org.
Think twice before buying the bottle of 500 aspirin just because it's cheaper, unless you
will use them all. Medicines flushed down the drain or disposed of in the trash can pollute
bodies of water, harm wildlife and end up in drinking water supplies. More at
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/medicine-prescription-drugs
What do you think the number on your plastic bottle means? Well, it doesn't necessarily
mean it's recyclable. Hennepin County offers a great guide to plastic numbers, but check
with your municipal recycling coordinator (http://bit.ly/15pj9BH) for how to recycle
various items locally.
TWITTER
The types of plastics that can be recycled have expanded. See our new blog for some
plastics #recycling tips. (blog link)
Yes! #Yogurt cups are now recyclable! Learn more about plastics #recycling at
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/other-plastics
Over 500,000 pounds of plastic shopping #bags can be recycled each year in the metro
area. More at http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/plasticshopping-bags
Recycling plastic is great, but avoiding plastic is better! Reusable water bottles and
grocery bags are a start. (blog link)
Buying in bulk is a great way to #reduce packaging #waste. Learn more at
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/reduce/buying-bulk-bins
Properly disposing of #medicines is important to prevent abuse or poisoning and protect
the environment. See how http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/blog/disposing-unwantedmedicines
Not all #plastic is recyclable at the curb – call your municipal #recycling coordinator or
hauler for details. http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/recycle/city-recycling-information
You can leave your caps on! (When recycling milk, juice, detergent, & shampoo
#containers, etc, that is). Learn how at (blog link)
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a part of its
Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling materials by sending an
e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the materials were used, the date(s)
published, and the estimated reach.
#Recycle those plastic #bags at grocery stores or some county recycling centers. No food
goo allowed! Learn more at www.itsinthebagmn.org.
#Medicines flushed down the drain or disposed of in the trash can #pollute water. Learn
how to safely dispose of them http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materialsname/medicine-prescription-drugs
What do you think the number on your #plastic bottle means? It doesn't necessarily mean
it's #recyclable. See this guide http://www.hennepinatoz.org/azguide/item/281
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a part of its
Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling materials by sending an
e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the materials were used, the date(s)
published, and the estimated reach.