Puzzled by Plastics?

Which plastics should I put into the recycling bins at home, school or work? For the answer to this question and a few other plastics-related questions, read below.

Which plastics should I put into the recycling bins at home, school or work?

It depends. If you’re at home, follow the instructions provided by the municipality in which you live. If you’re at school or work, follow the instructions provided by the folks who coordinate the on-site recycling program; e.g., school administrators, facilities/office managers. Plastic BOTTLES coded #1 (PET, PETE) and #2 (HDPE) are the only plastics accepted in the majority of Morris County recycling programs.  Click here to view the "ABCs of Plastic Recycling" which is informative for these types of plastic programs that only accept #1 and #2 plastic bottles for recycling. 

While #1 and #2 plastic bottle only recycling programs are currently the most popular in Morris County, there are a few exceptions. Click on “Towns” on this Web site or contact your municipal recycling coordinator for details on your town’s recycling program for its residents, or contact those familiar with facilities issues at your school or workplace.

Which plastics are mandated to be recycled everywhere in Morris County?

Plastic BOTTLES coded #1 (PET, PETE) and #2 (HDPE). Two examples of products packaged in #1 BOTTLES: water and soda. Two examples of products packaged in #2 BOTTLES: laundry detergent and milk (the former is usually in colored BOTTLES, and the latter is usually, but not always, in natural or translucent BOTTLES). BOTTLES have necks or openings that are narrower than their bottoms.

Where do the codes #1 (PET, PETE) and #2 (HDPE) usually appear on plastic BOTTLES?

They are embossed on or near the bottoms of bottles, along with the triangular recycling symbol consisting of three chasing arrows.

What do #1 (PET, PETE) and #2 (HDPE) mean?

The code #1 (PET, PETE) tells us the BOTTLE is made of the plastic resin polyethylene terephthalate. The code #2 (HDPE) tells us the BOTTLE is made of the plastic resin high density polyethylene. The numbers 1 and 2 are part of a coding system consisting of numbers 1-7 that the Society of the Plastics Industry developed in 1988 to help processors and manufacturers identify the types of resins from which plastic containers are made.

My town, school and workplace want no plastics in the recycling bins other than BOTTLES coded #1 (PET, PETE) and #2 (HDPE). Why shouldn’t I put other plastics coded #1 and #2 (e.g, clamshells/berry baskets, trays, tubs, buckets) into those recycling bins?

The non-bottle plastics coded #1 and #2 are made by a different process from the process used to make plastic BOTTLES; thus, when being recycled, they melt at different temperatures than the bottles do. If a manufacturer makes a product from #1 or #2 BOTTLES, only, then that’s what is acceptable to that manufacturer, and that’s what you should put into the recycling bin. Your municipality or the vendor who picks up recyclables at your school or workplace probably has a contract with a processor who sells plastic bottles to such a manufacturer. Other plastics that you put into the bin will be sorted out and may then end up in the trash. Recycling is market driven; the markets (processors and manufacturers) determine specifically what kinds of plastic they want. Be aware that a neighboring municipality may have a contract with a vendor who is able to sell additional types of plastic to its processor or manufacturer.

Will I ever be able to recycle additional types of plastic?

It is quite possible, because recycling continues to evolve.

In the meantime, what should I do with plastics other than BOTTLES coded #1 (PET, PETE) and #2 (HDPE)?

Reuse them. Give them to someone else to reuse (some schools use them for arts and crafts projects). Investigate special programs by which you can send them somewhere to be recycled, such as Preserve Gimme 5 for yogurt cups and other #5 (PP--this means polypropylene) plastic: . Whole Foods in Madison participates in this program, in which the following are acceptable: #5 plastic containers, toothbrushes, Brita water filters and cat litter buckets (remove all metal from that latter). Deposit your clean containers in either the designated bin to the right of the main entrance or the one near the café. In addition, you may want to investigate the Brigades collection program for various kinds of packaging. Or you may put those other plastics into the trash.

What am I supposed to do with my plastic BOTTLES coded #1 (PET, PETE) and #2 (HDPE) prior to putting them into a recycling bin?

First, put the BOTTLE caps/lids into the trash; do not put them back onto the bottles. Secondly, be sure the bottles are empty—especially bottles used for products such as ketchup. Next, rinse the bottles. Last, put them into a recycling bin. Crushing the bottles by stepping on them can save space.

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I did hear that there’s a way to recycle Styrofoam (polystyrene is the generic name) packing “peanuts.” Is that true, and if so, how do I do so?

You may take clean and dry “peanuts” to retailers such as the following: Mail Boxes, Etc., Universal Pack and Ship, UPS stores, or others who provide packing and shipping services. Those retailers reuse the “peanuts.” There is also a toll-free hotline that gives phone numbers for such retailers: 1-800-828-2214.

Is there any way to recycle chunks of Styrofoam?

Contact Foam Pack Industries, which is located at 72 Fadem Rd., Springfield, NJ 07081, for info: 973-376-3700. You must call ahead of time before making a delivery. Foam Pack will accept expanded Styrofoam, only—this means chunks or “packing “peanuts”—and none of it should have come into contact with beverages or food. Styrofoam (polystyrene) such as that used for flatware (knives, forks, spoons) or for clamshell/berry baskets is not accepted at Foam Pack.

What kind of plastic wreaks havoc with the processing equipment for recyclables?

Plastic bags. Do not put any plastic bags into recycling bins at home, school or the workplace, for they can cause very serious problems.* At some retail stores, there are designated containers for plastic bags, and it is okay to put plastic bags into those containers, only. * Note: Some haulers collect bottles and cans that are in clear plastic bags, but this is unusual. When it occurs, it is most often at businesses and institutions. Be sure to follow instructions provided by your recycling program and/or hauler.

Where can I find more information about the recycling of plastics?

Visit the American Chemistry Council's Web site, call the MCMUA at 973-285-8395, search the Internet or visit or call your library. A Morris County Library reference librarian can be reached by telephone  at 973-285-6969.