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The more complex a recycling program is perceived to be, the greater the possibility of public confusion and consequent low participation. Many local government recovery programs rely on resin codes (e.g., #1, #2, #3) to tell its citizens what plastic materials are recyclable in its communities. However, most communities actually only recycle bottles, so they often experience high levels of contamination when residents try to recycle other plastics, such as yogurt tubs or plastic bags that have the same resin code, but that have less recyclability.
“All plastic bottle” programs simplify education and public understanding. Research by the American Plastics Council has shown, in most cases, that implementing an APB program will increase the number of PET and HDPE bottles, which have the most stable markets, collected by a community. In addition, if the markets are good, other materials (3-7s) can potentially be marketed for recycling. APB programs also reduce contamination by non-bottle plastic containers, which can increase costs and create processing inefficiencies. Furthermore, an APB policy ensures local government programs are complying with the new plastic bottle ban.
All Bottle Best Management Practices:
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Cary - Cary started collecting all plastic bottles in November 2007. The program was expanded from plastic bottles #1, 2, 5 and 7 to “all plastic bottles and tubs #1-7.” Cary expanded its program in order to make it easier for its citizens. Its material recovery facility, Waste Management, actually encouraged the town to make the switch. In order to advertise and educate the public about collecting all plastic bottles, Cary updated its recycling brochure, Web site and 24-hour town hall phone line. In addition Cary:
- produced a PSA,
- conducted media interviews (radio and TV),
- placed an advertisement in the town newspaper,
- wrote articles or tips for three monthly newsletters (mailed in the utility bill),
- created the Nov. 2007 Conservation Corner episode on BUD TV solely focused on this expansion,
- informed their block leaders, and
- placed a reminder in block leader packets handed out to approximately 4,800 residents in spring 2008.
According to the recycling staff, Cary has a culture of conservation and takes pride in the environmental health of its community. Its citizens welcomed this change to their recycling services. The town was already collecting plastic bottles #1, 2, 5 and 7, so increasing the acceptable material to “all bottles and tubs #1-7” was not difficult to explain to the public. The lone exception to this is that lids are not accepted by its processor, which has created some confusion and frustration for citizens.
Chatham County - Chatham County started collecting all plastic bottles at the beginning of March 2009. In 2008 it started a pilot program at one of its collection centers collecting all plastics #1-7 and then found out the upcoming ban was just on plastic bottles. It made the switch mostly due to the statewide landfill ban on plastics. The county either bales the material or sends the plastics straight to market. It advertised and educated the public about collecting “all plastic bottles” through the county Web page and put an article in the newspaper. Its transition has been pretty smooth, but is getting some contamination (margarine tubs, yogurt cups, etc.). The only cost was advertising and new signs for the collection centers.
Clayton - The town of Clayton enhanced its recycling program in January 2008 by expanding the items accepted and switching from 18-gallon bins to 64-gallon rollout carts. The town changed to a “plastic bottle program.” No feedback from the MRF, Waste Management, has been provided to the town regarding the expansion of materials collected. It used bill stuffers, new customer hand-outs, fridge magnets, the town newsletter and the town Web site to let citizens know about the change to “all bottles.” The only stumbling block has been a few customers that place solid waste in the recycle cart.
Kernersville - Kernersville began promoting “all plastic bottles” around the summer of 2006 when it redesigned its recycling bin labels. The town made the switch because upon being asked, its processor, FCR, said it would accept most plastic bottles other than #1s and #2s.
Because Kernersville was given the go ahead by its processor, and to reduce confusion in its labeling, it switched all promotions and labels to say plastic bottles. Its MRF agreed to sort out and dispose of any residuals they might bring in. FCR appears to have a market for #3-#7 bottles. To promote “all plastic bottles,” Kernersville advertised in its annual calendar, brochures and through the recycling bin labels. It was difficult to educate the public about the switch because funding was tied up in other special outreach campaigns. However, the majority of citizens recycle correctly most of the time, and #3-#7 bottles are not nearly as common in the average household as #1s and #2s.
Mary McClellan, Kernersville’s recycling coordinator, notes that people tend to think of plastic bottle recycling only within certain realms of the home even when advertising “all plastic bottles.” For example, most people think of beverage and kitchen containers as the only recyclable plastic bottles, but are surprised when she suggests that some of their toiletries like shampoo, lotion, etc. are in recyclable containers also. The next time they re-do their literature, she may include additional pictures of “other” plastic bottles to spawn the creative process more, and get folks to think “outside the kitchen.”
Orange County - Orange County Solid Waste Management Department converted from a #1 and #2 plastic bottle collection program to an “all plastic bottles” collection program in 1999. The switch to all plastic bottles stemmed from both the community’s desire to switch as well as changes in the market that made it profitable to do so [Full BMP].
Rowan County - Rowan County started collecting #1-7 plastic bottles in 2008. It already had in place a company that would take its mixed plastic. Residents can separate materials into different plastic categories at the county convenience sites or staff will do it for them. The convenience site has separate bins for #1 and #2 natural and #2 colored and then also has a #1-7 mixed plastic.
[Full BMP]
Watauga County - In order to make plastic recycling less confusing to residents, the Watauga County Solid Waste and Recycling Department converted to an “all plastic bottles” from an “all plastics #1 and #2” collection program, resulting in a 220 percent increase in plastic tonnage [Full BMP]. |
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Dodge County, Minn. - This unique recycling program states "The following materials cannot be thrown in with the trash:…..[including] narrow neck plastic bottles." Check out the entire list, along with more details about its mostly-free curbside and drop-off recycling depots.
Grand Prairie, Texas - This city's recycling page has a wealth of useful information for its community - including everything from information about curbside recycling at home, to setting up recycling at your business. Its curbside program states "Any plastic bottle may be recycled." It also has a brochure that details what can be recycled in each room of your home!
Greenville County, S.C. - This county offers curbside recycling for seven communities, comprising 50 percent of the county population, as well as seven staffed and 16 unstaffed recycling drop-off sites. It also has a brochure (PDF) about its all plastic bottle program.
Town of Amherst, N.Y. - Amherst accepts all "small mouth with threaded cap only" plastic bottles #1-7. You can see its brochure (PDF) for more details.
Windham County, Vt. - Windham offers "plastic bottles with a neck (all #s)" recycling. It offers curbside recycling in some communities, as well as drop-off sites - all of which are listed on its Web site.
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