Tuesday

Sep012009

Green Living eZine: Plastic Recycling

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 3:00PM

plastic recycling green environment

The Problem With Plastic

If you think that the recycling number embossed on the bottom of your plastics is the solution to the plastic problem, think again. Of the seven types of plastic that are stamped as "recyclable" only two are easily and efficiently recycled. Plastics are labeled with numbers 1 through 7.

Number 1 is pretty easy to recycle: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE). It is often clear, relatively lightweight (or thinner) and is used in:

Mouthwash containers Soda bottles
Salad dressing containers
Plastic food jars

Water bottles Number 2, also easy to recycle, is High density polyethylene (HDPE), is used in heavier containers like:

Milk jugs
Snack food containers
Laundry detergent containers
Shampoo bottles
Detergent bottles

Numbers 3 though 7 are where we run into problems. If you have tried to take any of these to your local recycling center you may have wondered why they won't take them. These plastics are difficult to recycle.

Number 3 - Polyvinyl chloride (V or Vinyl PVC),used to make:

Shower curtains
Cooking oil bottles
Pipe and Pipe fittings
Medical tubing

Number 4 - Low density polyethylene (LDPE), often colored, is used to make:

Sandwich, storage and "zipper" bags
Grocery and vegetable/meat bags
Plastic wrapping paper
Squeezable ketchup and mustard bottles

Number 5 - Polypropylene (PP), also often colored, is used for:

Tubs of butter, cookie dough, whipped topping
Tupperware containers
Yogurt and gelatin containers
Pancake and chocolate syrup bottles

Number 6 - Polystyrene (PS), is used in:

"To - Go" food containers
Egg cartons
Disposable cups, bowls and plates
Styrofoam containers
Packing peanuts

Number 7 - Which includes a miscellany of all other plastics, which include:

Fast food beverage containers
Baby bottles
Cell phones
CDs
Electronics casings
Sports water bottles

Did you know that:

It takes 24 million gallons of oil tomake a billion plastic bottles.
38 million plastic bottles in America end up in the land fills from bottled water alone.
Plastic bottles take 700 years to begin composting The plastic problem has no simple solution, but there are ways that the consumer can help.

Precycle:

This is the practice of considering your packaging before you buy. Make sure your plastic is number 1 or 2 before buying. If it isn't, consider a different product choice.

Reuse & Repurpose:

If you must use plastic, find creative ways to reuse and repurpose it. There is a wealth of information on this topic available on the Internet.

Always recycle.

Terese Hartjoy is an artist and writer. She authors Simply Green, a daily sampling of environmental news and tips as well as feature articles covering environmental issues for Blog on Smog.

Article Source: Ezine Articles: Expert Author, Terese Hartjoy

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