Recyling Rumors

[NReiter]

and im not sure this is true...but I've heard that water bottles do not get recycled if they have the caps still on them..is there any truth in that ?

also, anything like milk jugs or peanut butter jars that are "contaminated" with food are immediately thrown out because of the food particles in them...is that real ?

[SoCalSolar]

I have not heard anything about the typical caps on standard water bottles fouling the product for recycling. If you have a designer bottle with a metal cap - that might be different... Otherwise should be fine. I recycle them here in California with an attendant right there, no issues.

In regards to milk containers, peanut butter, and mayo plastic containers - our area accepts them in the regular city recycling pick-up. Claim they have a washing process that allows those items to be recycled ... this may not be the same in every area so you might want to check with your local trash pick-up company/city agency.

[mikebeavis]

I agree that it's best to check with the local agency or company responsible for the recycling program. We are asked to make an effort to wash things out, but if you can't get every last bit of peanut butter, it's ok. This may vary from place to place so it's best to check what the rules/regs are for where you live.

[greengirl0801]

I've never seen the recycling company not accept plastic bottle caps or containers with food particles. However, along with what everyone else has said, you still may want to check.

[mikebeavis]

Does anyone know whether the plastic caps are made from the same type of plastic as the bottle?

[EcoInteractive]

Does anyone know whether the plastic caps are made from the same type of plastic as the bottle?

Plastic is plastic. It all recycles.

[mikebeavis]

In my area (and many others) you can only recycle certain plastics. In my area only #1 and #2 are acceptable. This is because there is only a market for #1 and #2 (i.e., companies that will reuse that plastic). Other plastics will ruin the batch and turn otherwise recyclable plastic into unusable trash that will go to the landfill. This is according to a conversation I had with the State agency in charge of the recycling program.

Does anyone know what # the plastic lids on the bottles are?

[jcoffman]

Does anyone know whether the plastic caps are made from the same type of plastic as the bottle?

Plastic is plastic. It all recycles.

Ummm...not really.

[The Green Parent]

In my area, we have to remove the caps before we put the bottles in for recycling. But we don't have to rinse out bottles before recycling. So it's a good idea to check and see what your recycling center requires.

[greengirl0801]

Does anyone know whether the plastic caps are made from the same type of plastic as the bottle?

What would be the difference?

[mikebeavis]

If it were the same kind of plastic, then it might also be recyclable along with the bottles. But I tend to think it's a different type of plastic - it seems harder than the bottle. I'd like to recycle the lids too if possible.

[inkabinkaboo182]

It wouldn't make sense if they were different, because that little piece of plastic from the cap stays on the bottle, and that would make them unrecyclable. Although, since when does anything a bottled water company does make sense?

[Doug (the original)]

My jurisdiction says:

We Can Recycle:
-Narrow-neck plastic bottles and jugs with a number 1 or 2 or no number at all on the bottom.
-Empty and rinse
-Discard caps
-Crush if possible



So I'm guessing the caps aren't the same plastic.

[SoCalSolar]

Thanks for the list Doug - does pose some interesting new questions though:

> Do they want you to dispose of the caps to avoid the potential hassel of designer caps?
> If so, what about the plastic ring left behind?
> If the plastic ring fouls the recycle potential, how is this legal for a product produced by the billions and labeled as #1 type?

Hmmmm.

I have heard to that on plastic milk jugs you should remove the cap... maybe why many are pop-off types now - so as they are crushed it falls off by itself.

[jcoffman]

Found this:

Why should we take lids off plastic bottles?

Lids and bottles are made of different materials, so they have different melting points and can't be recycled together.

At some plastics factories receiving bottles, material sorters with powerful cutters must snip the necks off closed bottles because they don't have time to unscrew each lid. Also, lids should be removed so evaporation can further reduce contamination.

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