Sofia Martinez
In New York City, juice boxes are considered plastic for recycling purposes. New Yorkers must separate recyclables into mixed paper or cardboard, and metal, glass, plastic, or cartons. Plastic-lined cartons, such as juice boxes, are placed with metals, plastics, and glass. Plastic food containers must be emptied and rinsed before being recycled. Plastic bags, however, cannot be recycled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Juice boxes | Cartons with plastic lining |
| NYC recycling category | Metals, plastics, and glass |
| Other carton examples | Milk, soup stock, soy or nut milk |
| Plastic food containers | Must be emptied and rinsed before recycling |
| Plastic lids | Can be tossed into recycling bins for metal, plastic, and glass |
| Plastic bags | Cannot be recycled |
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What You'll Learn
- Cartons with plastic lining must be recycled with metals, plastics, and glass
- Plastic bags cannot be recycled
- Plastic food containers must be emptied and rinsed before recycling
- Rechargeable batteries must be returned to retailers or taken to a SAFE Disposal Event
- Vape pens should be treated as hazardous waste
Cartons with plastic lining must be recycled with metals, plastics, and glass
In New York City, juice boxes and other cartons with plastic lining must be recycled with metals, plastics, and glass. This is because, despite feeling like paper, the plastic lining means they cannot be recycled as paper.
In NYC, recyclables must be separated into either mixed paper or cardboard, or metal, glass, plastic, or cartons. Plastic food containers must be emptied and rinsed out before being placed in recycling bins or bags. Plastic bags, however, cannot be recycled.
Other items that should not be included with recyclables are food-contaminated paper, hardcover books, bubble wrap, photographs, tissues, napkins, paper towels, tissue paper, waxed and plastic-coated paper (e.g. candy wrappers), batteries, squeeze tubes and pouches (e.g. Capri Sun juice pouches), Styrofoam, pens and markers, and cables, wires, and cords.
Small appliances, such as a toaster oven or hair dryer, can be recycled with plastics and metals, but batteries must first be removed. Larger appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, require an appointment with the Department of Sanitation so that CFC, or Freon, gas can be removed before they are recycled with metals and plastics.
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Plastic bags cannot be recycled
Plastic bags can cause machines to jam, requiring workers to physically climb into the machinery to remove the bags. This is a dangerous task that can be avoided by keeping plastic bags out of regular recycling. When plastic bags end up in the paper line, they contaminate the paper, reducing the quality and value of the recyclables. Entire batches can become unsuitable for recycling due to this contamination.
Therefore, it is essential to avoid using plastic bags whenever possible. Reusable bags or paper bags are better alternatives. If you do have plastic bags, try to reuse them multiple times before recycling them properly at designated drop-off locations.
Some municipalities may have systems in place to recycle plastic bags, so it is always good to check with your local waste management guidelines. However, unless specifically stated, it is generally not advisable to put plastic bags into your regular recycling bin.
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Plastic food containers must be emptied and rinsed before recycling
To avoid contamination, start by emptying all liquids and residue from your plastic food containers. Then, use a wooden spoon, rubber, or metal spatula to scrape out any remaining solids. Finally, give the containers a quick rinse to clear any residue. You can do this by filling a bowl with water and swishing the containers in it, rather than letting them sit under a running faucet. This will help make the process more economical. If you have particularly greasy containers, add a drop of dish soap and shake.
It's important to note that recyclables do not need to be perfectly clean, just empty and mostly free of food waste. Check with your local recycling provider for specific guidelines, as requirements may vary by region. For example, in Chicago, recycling pickup crews will sometimes tag carts if they see containers filled with food or liquids, but they won't necessarily reject them.
By following these simple steps, you can help ensure that your plastic food containers are properly recycled and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Rechargeable batteries must be returned to retailers or taken to a SAFE Disposal Event
Rechargeable batteries contain reactive chemicals and metals that can generate electrical energy. Improper disposal can lead to these chemicals and metals ending up in streams and landfills, causing serious property damage, injury, or even death. It is important to dispose of them properly to help protect the environment.
In New York State, all stores that sell rechargeable batteries or products containing them, such as hardware stores, office supply stores, drugstores, and electronics stores, are required by law to accept rechargeable batteries for recycling. This means that rechargeable batteries can be returned to retailers and recycled there.
However, if you are unable or unwilling to return your rechargeable batteries to a retailer, there are other options. Many local districts host collection events, often called "SAFE Disposal Events," where residents can drop off their batteries for proper disposal. These events are typically advertised by local governments or waste management organizations. Additionally, some battery manufacturers and recycling facilities offer mail-in programs, where you can mail your rechargeable batteries to them for proper disposal.
It is important to note that rechargeable batteries should never be placed in household garbage or recycling bins, as they can pose a fire risk. Before disposing of rechargeable batteries, it is recommended to tape the ends or terminals to prevent any potential fire hazards.
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Vape pens should be treated as hazardous waste
Vape pens are small devices, but they can have a large environmental impact. They are typically composed of a combination of plastic, metal, and electronic components, which means they are resistant to natural breakdown processes. When discarded, they can cause significant harm to the environment and human health. For this reason, vape pens should be treated as hazardous waste.
Firstly, the plastics in vape devices are a threat to the environment. Plastic pods and cartridges in disposable vape pens cannot be recycled because they contain nicotine and other hazardous chemicals. As a result, they often end up in landfills or are littered, where they do not naturally decompose over time. Eventually, they can break down into microplastics, which can contaminate soil and water, leading to harmful effects on wildlife and ecosystems.
Secondly, heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury are present in discarded vape pens. When these devices are improperly disposed of, these metals can be released into the soil and groundwater, potentially contaminating nearby ecosystems and posing risks to human health if contaminated natural resources are consumed.
Thirdly, the electronic waste components of vape pens, such as lithium-ion batteries and electronic circuit boards, pose a significant threat to human and environmental health. Lithium-ion batteries, in particular, are classified as hazardous waste. If a lithium-ion battery combusts or is damaged, it can release toxic chemicals such as lithium hexafluorophosphate and hydrofluoric acid, which can be harmful to people and the environment.
Finally, residual nicotine and other chemicals in the e-liquid can leach into the environment when vape pens are improperly disposed of. This e-liquid is considered by the EPA to be acute hazardous waste material, as it can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and wildlife if it enters water bodies. The residual nicotine can act as a poison to wildlife, disrupting reproductive systems and further impacting overall ecosystem health.
Due to the complex design and combination of materials in vape pens, most recycling facilities are not equipped to handle their disposal. Therefore, it is essential that consumers properly dispose of their vape pens as hazardous waste to prevent harm to the environment and human health. Many towns and counties offer collection programs for household hazardous waste, where vape pens can be safely managed to prevent fires and the release of harmful chemicals.
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Frequently asked questions
Juice boxes with plastic lining, which is used for packaging many types of juice, should be recycled with metals, plastics, and glass.
Other items that should be recycled with plastic, metal, and glass include plastic lids, plastic food containers, and small appliances such as a toaster oven or hair dryer.
Items that should not be recycled with plastic, metal, and glass include food-contaminated paper, hardcover books, bubble wrap, photographs, tissues, napkins, paper towels, tissue paper, and plastic bags.
