Recycling Plastic - ideas for increasing adoption.

I learned today that our curbside recycling program will take #1,2,4,5 plastic (not 3,6,7). So I called the helpful folks at the Recycling Council of BC hotline: 604 732 9253 (or if you prefer a really easy toll-free number: 1 800-667 4321).

flickr credit: Rafa from Brazil

They told me that Wastech (the transfer station would accept plastic containers with any "resin number". So I thought it was strange that the garbage transfer company accepted more types of plastic for recycling than the recycling folks.


I'm under the impression that the most critical point in diverting waste from landfill to recycling is at the point of disposal where a product is being "placed in the trash".  Compared to the more technical challenges of sorting, washing, chipping, selling shipping and making use of recycled material.  Getting homeowners and businesses to actually start the recycling process is key.  Here in Abbotsford we have a fantastic advantage with our "unsorted curbside pickup".  We make it really really easy for people to "do the right thing".  Effectively we remove barriers of effort for folks to encourage recycling and reduce the amount of waste going into landfill or worse incinerators.

flickr credit: Montgomery Cty Division of Solid Waste Services

For myself I find a quick rinse and a slam dunk in our recycling bin and I'm done.  Its actually easier to recycle in our house because the garbage is hidden away under the sink.  There are two things that slow me down in my attempts to recycle;

• Not knowing what plastics can and can't be recycled. (which I solved today by phoning)
• Not seeing the 'resin codes' on the plastic objects I would like to recycle.

That second problem of "unmarked plastics" is a real challenge.  Here are some things that work or might work;  

• Smell it.  If it smells like a plastic shower curtain or inflatable toy, it is probably PVC plastic #3, it is probably not recyclable.
• In the past, I've contacted companies like the Solo cup company who to their credit have retooled their production lines to include the "resin codes" for recycling on the bottom of their disposable drinking cups.
• If the government required that all plastic manufactured items bore a permanent recycling symbol, people would not find themselves stumped at the recycling bin.
• Currently for reasons of import taxation all items brought into the company must list where they originate.  I think this demonstrates that such a mark is attainable.
• Permanent so that the mark is not removed over the useful life of the plastic object
• This would need to include packaging which often has an extremely short lifecycle like in the case of plastic used in packaging children's toys.
• Survey the resin codes on plastic being sent to landfill to determine which plastics are most frequently discarded in order to expand the resin codes accepted in an order that makes sense.

flickr credit: mag3737

I know we have it really easy in Abbotsford with our recycling program.  What is your experience with recycling plastic?  What would you do to make it easier?

Cheers,

Greg.