
Marin Sanitary Service offers a dual-stream recycling program for its residential customers in Marin County, where paper is collected separately from glass, plastic, and metal containers. The service provides split carts for weekly recycling, with the blue side designated for paper and the light brown side for bottles, cans, jugs, and tubs (glass, plastic, and aluminum). However, it is unclear whether Marin Sanitary Service accepts plastic codes HDPE 1 and 2 specifically. As such, it is recommended to refer to the Marin Sanitary Service mobile app or other official sources for detailed information on the types of plastics they recycle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | HDPE |
| Plastic number | 1 and 2 |
| Recyclability | Recyclable |
| Disposal | Can be tossed into standard recycling bins |
| Curbside recycling | May be accepted by some programs depending on the product |
| Pre-recycling preparation | Should be rinsed and dried |
| Post-recycling products | Plastic fencing, picnic tables, lawn chairs |
| Other names | PET or PETE (for plastic number 1); Polyethylene terephthalate (for plastic number 1) |
| Properties | Long-lasting, extremely durable, resistant to deterioration, low risk of leaching, safe |
| Temperature tolerance | 40° F – 266° F |
| Local recycling in Marin County | Check with your hauler on what they will and won't take in curbside carts |
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What You'll Learn

HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a popular plastic type known for its strength, flexibility, and durability. It is commonly used to make a wide range of products, from milk and shampoo bottles to pipes and wheelie bins. The good news is that HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle, and it is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide.
HDPE is recyclable in all its forms, including bottles, bags, tanks, film, offcuts, and sheets. It has a plastic code number of 2 and is often collected by recycling companies, which send it to large facilities for processing. The recycling process for HDPE involves several steps: sorting, cleaning, separating, shredding, melting, and creating new products. During sorting, clean and contaminated HDPE products are sorted, and other plastic types and materials are removed. The HDPE is then cleaned to remove contaminants and ensure high-quality material. Separating involves using Near-Infrared Radiation (NIR) techniques to separate any non-HDPE plastic, and bottles and thicker items are separated from film, bags, and thinner HDPE. The cleaned and separated HDPE is then shredded and melted down to refine the polymer before being cooled and formed into pellets. These pellets are then used to manufacture new HDPE products.
HDPE can be recycled into a variety of new products, such as bottles, pens, plastic lumber, picnic tables, rope, toys, piping, decking, bike racks, plastic fencing, benches, furniture, recycling bins, and trash cans. Recycling HDPE is not only environmentally beneficial but also economically advantageous for businesses, as it helps save money on plastic disposal and reduces production costs.
Regarding your specific location, Marin Sanitary Service in Marin County operates a dual-stream recycling program, where paper is collected separately from glass, plastic, and metal containers. They provide split carts for weekly recycling curbside service, with the blue side for paper recyclables and the light brown side for bottles, cans, jugs, and tubs (glass, plastic, and aluminium). It is important to keep paper products separate from other recyclables to prevent contamination. While I cannot confirm the specific types of plastic accepted by Marin Sanitary Service, it is generally accepted that HDPE, with its plastic code number of 2, can be recycled through standard recycling bins in most areas.
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Marin Sanitary Service offers a dual-stream recycling program
Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) offers a dual-stream recycling program for residential, commercial, and multifamily customers in Marin County. This means that paper is collected separately from glass, plastic, and metal containers.
For residential customers, MSS provides split carts for weekly recycling curbside services, with the blue side for paper recyclables and the light brown side for bottles, cans, jugs, and tubs (glass, plastic, and aluminum). Customers are instructed to ensure their recyclables are empty, clean, and dry before placing them loose in the recycling cart. Paper products should be kept separate from other recyclables to prevent contamination.
MSS also provides comprehensive recycling solutions for multifamily properties in Marin County, including apartment complexes and condominiums, to help residents manage waste responsibly and contribute to a sustainable community.
MSS's commercial recycling services offer customizable recycling solutions to businesses in Marin County to efficiently handle various materials, enhance waste diversion, and support environmental goals. The size and number of recycling carts and/or bins a business uses can vary, but what goes in these recycling receptacles remains the same: recyclables only. The blue cart is for clean paper recyclables, while the light brown cart is for bottles, cans, and containers (glass, plastic, and aluminum).
MSS also provides an online tool, "Where Does It Go, Joe?", and a mobile app to help users determine what type of material goes in which cart, as contamination can ruin recycling efforts. The app includes a video explaining how the mantra "bottles, tubs, and jugs" can help ensure that users are putting the right plastic in their recycling. It also emphasizes the importance of keeping film plastics out of recycling, as this can make a significant difference when multiplied by the entire community.
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Plastic resin codes indicate the type of plastic
Plastic resin codes, also known as Resin Identification Codes (RIC), are numerical symbols found on plastic products that indicate the type of plastic resin used. They were first introduced in 1988 by the US Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) as the "Voluntary Plastic Container Coding System". The purpose of the original SPI code was to "provide a consistent national system to facilitate recycling of post-consumer plastics".
The RIC system uses a set of symbols that appear on plastic products to identify the type of plastic resin used. The symbols consist of a triangle formed by arrows, which later changed to a solid triangle, enclosing a number. These numbers range from 1 to 7, with each number corresponding to a different type of plastic. For example, plastic with the code 1 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), while plastic with the code 2 is high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
The presence of a resin code does not necessarily indicate that the product is recyclable. However, understanding the plastic resin codes is essential for making informed decisions about packaging and recycling. By choosing the right type of plastic, consumers can contribute to a more sustainable future. Additionally, different kinds of plastics must be recycled separately to preserve the value of the recycled material and enable its reuse.
While Marin Sanitary Service does not specifically mention HDPE 1 and 2, they do operate a dual-stream recycling program, where paper is collected separately from glass, plastic, and metal containers. The light brown side of the split cart is for bottles, cans, jugs, and tubs made of glass, plastic, and aluminum. It is important to ensure that recyclables are empty, clean, and dry before placing them loose in the recycling cart.
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Types 1 and 2 plastics can be recycled in standard bins
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle. This number indicates the type of plastic and how/where it can be disposed of.
However, it's important to note that the acceptance of these plastics may vary depending on your local municipality and recycling program. For example, in Marin County, California, there is a dual-stream recycling program operated by Marin Sanitary Service, where paper is collected separately from glass, plastic, and metal containers. Residents are provided with split carts for weekly recycling curbside service, with the blue side for paper recyclables and the light brown side for bottles, cans, jugs, and tubs (glass, plastic, and aluminum). It is recommended to check with your local recycling guidelines or with a recycling company to ensure you are properly disposing of your plastics.
Other types of plastics, such as PVC, PP, PS, and number 7 plastics, may be more difficult to recycle and are not always accepted by curbside recycling programs. These plastics may require specialized handling or drop-off at specific recycling centers. Additionally, it's important to keep in mind that just because a plastic item has a recycling symbol, it does not guarantee that it can be recycled. Always check with your local guidelines or recycling companies to properly dispose of your plastic waste.
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Marin County has five different waste haulers
MSS also collects extra cardboard at no additional charge, but it must be broken down into 2' x 2' x 2' bundles and tied with twine or string. They also offer a mobile app, 'Get Joe on the Go', which provides sorting advice and guidance on contamination issues.
While MSS does not specify whether they accept HDPE 1 and 2 plastics, these types of plastics are generally accepted in standard recycling bins and are often collected through curbside recycling programs. HDPE 1 plastics have a low risk of leaching and are considered safe, while HDPE 2 plastics are durable and resistant to deterioration.
It is important to note that recycling guidelines can vary by location and waste hauler, so residents of Marin County should refer to their specific hauler's guidelines to ensure proper recycling practices.
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Frequently asked questions
HDPE stands for High-Density Polyethylene. HDPE 1 and HDPE 2 plastics are the most commonly recycled plastics. HDPE 1 has a low risk of leaching and is considered safe. HDPE 2 has a low risk of leaching and is also safe. It is also temperature resistant.
Marin Sanitary Service operates a dual-stream recycling program, but it is not clear whether they recycle HDPE 1 and HDPE 2 plastics. They do, however, recycle paper, glass, plastic, and metal containers.
Marin Sanitary Service provides split carts for weekly recycling curbside service. The blue side of the cart is for paper recyclables, and the light brown side is for bottles, cans, jugs, and tubs (glass, plastic, and aluminium).
Marin Sanitary Service asks that you keep your recyclables empty, clean, and dry before placing them loose in your recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables. Keep paper separate from other recyclables to prevent contamination.
Zero Waste Marin provides a recycling guide for hard-to-recycle and bulky items. There are five different waste haulers in Marin County, so it is best to check with your hauler on what they will and won't take in curbside carts.










































