FAQ

Recycling does work, but it is not working at the scale we need to actually be removing plastic from the environment.  Plus, recycling does not offset all the GHG emissions created during extraction of the petroleum and production of the plastic.  So, in the end, the less plastic we use the healthier the planet will be.

Not by your curbside recycling hauler!  But they can be upcycled into new products.  Plastic films (like bubble wrap and grocery bags) clog the sorting machines at Materials Reclaiming Facilities (MRFs) where recyclable materials are sent to be separated.  You can often find a receptacle at your local grocery store where you can take your plastic bags after you used them and then they will be upcycled into items like decking and plastic benches.

One of the easiest ways is to buy products that are made from recycled plastic!  You can find a great list of companies at www.recycledproductsdirectory.org.  This directory is put together by Stina, Inc. which is a company that provides programs and tools designed to facilitate the transition to a society that uses resources sustainably.  Shopping from this site will ensure that there is a continuous demand for recycled products.

While Tetra-pak packaging may look like it is 'waxed cardboard' it is actually cardboard with multiple plastic layers.  Because this mixture of materials cannot be separated, the package cannot be recycled.  It can however be upcycled into new products like roof tiles.  So,  before you put it into your recycle bin, check with your trash hauler and see if they take tetra-pak packaging.  If your trash hauler does not take tetra-pak packaging it is better to choose a product in recyclable plastic.

Generally speaking, there are 7 different types of plastic resin that are designated with the numbers 1-7.  The most commonly recyclable resins are rigid containers marked with 1, 2, and 5.   However, ALL RECYCLING IS LOCAL!  This means that something that was recyclable in your old town may not be recyclable in your new town.  Always check with the company that takes your recycling to find out which plastic resins they accept.  

Nope!  The most recent recycling report for the United States shows that 92% of the plastic collected for recycling is processed right here in North America.  However, the bad news is that the report showed that the plastic recycling rate in the United States is hovering at an abysmally low 30%.  So, we are building a recycling infrastructure in the United States, but we have a long way to go to achieve a circular economy for plastic.