Ethan Clarke
In Washington, DC, the Solid Waste Association of North America's (SWANA) definition of Zero Waste is being put into practice. This means that the city is working towards diverting 80% of its waste from landfills and incineration by 2032. To achieve this, DC has expanded its list of recyclable items. Plastic #5, which is used for yoghurt cups, medicine bottles, and straws, is recyclable in DC. However, residents have expressed confusion over where to take their Plastic #5 waste for recycling. This paragraph will explore the topic of Plastic #5 recycling in DC, including the types of products that use this plastic, the city's recycling goals, and the challenges faced by residents in finding the appropriate recycling channels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Plastic | Polypropylene |
| Used for | Yogurt cups, wide-necked containers, medicine bottles, ketchup bottles, syrup bottles, and straws |
| Health Risk | Safe |
| Recyclable in DC | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags are not accepted by DC's residential recycling program
Plastic bags are not accepted as part of DC's residential recycling program. This includes plastic bags, wraps, and films of any colour, size, or shape. These items are known to clog facility equipment, causing downtime and creating safety hazards for employees at recycling facilities.
DC's residential recycling program has a comprehensive list of items that can be recycled, and plastic bags are notably excluded from this list. The program aims to divert waste from landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, but plastic bags are a hindrance to this process. Instead, residents are instructed to place their recyclables into blue bins loose or use paper bags.
While plastic bags cannot be recycled through the residential program, many supermarkets and large retailers have plastic bag return/recycling bins in their stores. Residents are encouraged to recycle their plastic bags at these designated locations. This separation of plastic bags from other recyclables helps to streamline the recycling process and ensure the safety of those working in the facilities.
It is important for residents to be aware of the proper disposal methods for plastic bags and to comply with the guidelines set by the city. DC's recycling program has specific instructions for a reason, and proper compliance helps the city work towards its waste diversion goals. By understanding what can and cannot be recycled through the residential program, residents can play a crucial role in contributing to a more sustainable future for their community.
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Plastic bags can be recycled at local retailers
In Washington, D.C., plastic bags, wraps, and films of any colour, size, or shape are not accepted in the District's recycling or curbside single-stream residential recycling programmes. This is because plastic bags can clog facility equipment, creating downtime and safety hazards for employees at recycling facilities.
However, plastic bags can be recycled at local retailers and grocery stores, which often have collection bins specifically for plastic bags. These bins ensure that the bags are sent to facilities equipped to handle them. Many supermarkets and large retailers also have plastic shopping bag return/recycling bins in their stores.
Before recycling plastic bags, ensure they are empty and clean, removing any receipts, stickers, or crumbs. Plastic bags should also bear a #2 or #4 plastic symbol, indicating they are made from high- or low-density polyethylene, respectively. If they lack this symbol, consider reusing the bag before eventually throwing it away. Plastic bags can be reused as trash can liners, carriers, or packing material. They can also be upcycled for craft projects, weaving, or as outdoor cushions.
To find a local retailer that accepts plastic bags for recycling, you can use a recycling locator tool, such as the one provided by Earth911.
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All other plastic items should be placed loosely in one container
In Washington, DC, plastic #5 is recyclable. This type of plastic is polypropylene, which is used for yoghurt cups, other wide-necked containers, medicine bottles, ketchup bottles, syrup bottles, and straws.
DC has a goal of diverting 80% of its waste away from landfills and incineration by 2032. To achieve this, the Mayor's List of Recyclables and Compostables was implemented in 2018. This list is a requirement of the Sustainable Solid Waste Management Amendment Act of 2014 and applies to all residential and commercial properties, including multi-family dwellings, office buildings, and restaurants.
All recyclables should be placed directly into blue bins without being bagged first. This is because plastic bags can clog facility equipment, causing downtime and creating safety hazards for recycling facility employees. Plastic bags, wraps, and films of any colour, size, or shape are therefore no longer accepted in DC's single-stream recycling. Instead, residents are asked to place all recyclables into their bins loose or in paper bags.
Other plastic items that are accepted in DC's recycling programme include plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate or PET/PETE), plastic #4 (low-density polyethylene or LDPE), and plastic #7 (polycarbonate plastics and BPA). However, plastic #6 (polystyrene or Styrofoam) is not recyclable in DC due to concerns about the leaching of potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated.
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The Mayor's List of Recyclables is reviewed every two years
The Mayor's List of Recyclables and Compostables is a requirement of the Sustainable Solid Waste Management Amendment Act of 2014. The list is reviewed every two years and provides a comprehensive list of recyclable and compostable materials for DC residents and businesses. The list is designed to make recycling uniform throughout DC, whether you're at home, work, or school. All residential and commercial properties, including multi-family dwellings, office buildings, and restaurants, are required to recycle the full suite of materials on the list.
The list includes items such as pizza boxes, paper and plastic plates, cups, lids, and to-go containers, plastic produce, deli/bakery containers, and trays. The District is one of the few cities that accept foodservice packaging for recycling, which supports the development of local and national solutions for recycling new materials.
It's important to note that some items are not accepted in DC's recycling programs. Plastic bags, wraps, and films are not allowed as they clog facility equipment and pose safety hazards to recycling facility employees. Other items to keep out of the recycling bin include clothing, tanglers (cables and cords), electronics, and batteries.
The District strives to achieve an ambitious goal of diverting 80% of citywide waste from landfills and waste-to-energy facilities. By increasing the number of recyclable items and focusing on resident education, the District aims to make significant progress toward this goal with each review of the Mayor's List of Recyclables.
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DC's goal is to divert 80% of waste from landfills by 2032
The District of Columbia (DC) has set a goal to divert 80% of its waste from landfills and incinerators by 2032, as part of its Sustainable DC Plan. This target is in line with its commitment to implementing zero-waste infrastructure.
The plan includes 43 potential actions across seven goals, including reducing per-capita waste generation by 15%, prioritizing reuse over single-use, and increasing recycling and composting participation and accessibility. DC has already made some progress, particularly in composting and recycling. For example, the city has launched curbside yard waste pickup and farmer's market food waste drop-offs in all eight wards, with a recent focus on educating residents.
DC has also expanded the list of acceptable recyclables to include items like pizza boxes, paper and plastic plates, cups, lids, and to-go containers. However, plastic bags, wraps, and films are no longer accepted in DC's single-stream recycling due to clogging issues and safety hazards.
Despite these efforts, it is unlikely that DC will achieve its original 2032 goal. In 2024, the city pushed the deadline for an 80% diversion rate to 2040, citing the need for more time to implement the required changes. The updated strategy includes proposals such as building a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and implementing commercial waste zones.
Achieving zero waste is a challenge, especially as DC's population grows, resulting in increased waste generation. The city estimates that by 2038, it will produce about 1.4 million tons of solid waste per year, 270,000 tons more than in 2018. Implementing all 43 actions in the plan is estimated to cost over $900 million over the 2023-2040 timeframe, with composting and reuse programs being particularly expensive.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic #5 is polypropylene, used for yoghurt cups, medicine bottles, ketchup bottles, syrup bottles, and straws.
Yes, plastic #5 is considered safe and is recyclable in Washington, DC.
Plastic #5 can be recycled in your blue bins.
