Alexei Volkov
Plastic clamshells are a common packaging format for berries, grapes, tomatoes, fresh herbs, leftovers, and to-go meals. However, recycling them can be challenging due to the technology used and the type of plastic involved. In Fairfax County, VA, recycling programs are not equipped to handle clamshell containers, and residents are advised to avoid purchasing or recycle them. The following paragraphs will discuss the issues surrounding the recycling of clamshell plastic in Fairfax County, VA, and provide suggestions for environmentally conscious alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic clamshells recyclable in Fairfax County, VA | No |
| Reason | Technology is set up to recycle bottle-shaped PET, not pie-shaped, square, or rectangular clamshells. Some clamshells are made from polystyrene, or #6 plastic, which is not recycled in the county. |
| Plastic bags recyclable | No |
| Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars recyclable | Yes |
| Plastic recyclables | Clean, loose, and dry |
| Plastic bags recycling | At the grocery or retail store |
| Plastic recycling guidelines | Refer to the Always and Never Recycle flyer |
| Plastic recycling at the Town of Vienna, VA | Plastic bags not accepted; batteries, electric lawn mowers, and leaf blowers accepted |
Explore related products
![100% Compostable Clamshell Take Out Food Containers [8X8" 3-Compartment 50-Pack] Heavy-Duty Quality to go Containers, Natural Disposable Bagasse, Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Made of Sugar Cane Fibers](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81mJFQwoSJL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- Clamshells are not recycled in Fairfax County, VA
- Clamshells are made from polystyrene, which is not recycled in the County
- Only 10% of residents receive trash and recycling collection from the County
- % of residents are served by a private collection company
- Plastic bags cannot be recycled in the County
Clamshells are not recycled in Fairfax County, VA
The recycling program in Fairfax County is managed by both the county government and private collection companies. About 10% of residents receive trash and recycling collection services from the Fairfax County Government, while 90% of residents and businesses receive services from a private collection company. If you are unsure whether you are a county collection customer, you can visit the "Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?" page on the county website or call their customer service number.
If you are a county collection customer, you can refer to the Curbside Recycling guidelines provided by the county. These guidelines specify that clamshells, whether made of Styrofoam or clear plastic, are not accepted in the recycling carts. However, electronic waste, such as computers, TVs, and cellphones, can be scheduled for a special pickup. Additionally, broken glass can be carefully packaged and set out with your trash for disposal.
For those who receive services from a private collection company, it is important to contact the company directly to inquire about their specific recycling guidelines. The recyclability of an item depends on the processing capabilities of the private company's chosen facility and whether there is a buyer for the recovered plastic. Therefore, it is essential to follow the guidelines provided by your private recycling collector to ensure that your clamshells are properly disposed of and not recycled incorrectly through "wishcycling".
China's Plastic Ban: Global Recycling Reckoning
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Clamshells are made from polystyrene, which is not recycled in the County
Plastic clamshells are a type of blister packaging that is made entirely of thermoplastic, or plastic that has been heated. While many of these clamshells are made of PET, polyethylene terephthalate, or #1 plastic, which is normally recycled in Fairfax County, the technology is set up to recycle bottle-shaped PET, not clamshell shapes.
Some clamshells are made from polystyrene, or #6 plastic, which is not recycled in Fairfax County. This is because the optical sorting at the materials recovery facility (MRF) has difficulty distinguishing between the different plastics.
The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) reported that as late as 2010, clamshells were not being recycled in significant amounts anywhere in the United States or Canada. However, as of 2016, recycling programs that include this material are available to more than 60% of the US population. Unfortunately, this does not include Fairfax County residents.
If you are a resident of Fairfax County, you can contact the customer service number for instructions on how to dispose of clamshell containers.
How Plastic Hangers Can Be Recycled Responsibly
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Only 10% of residents receive trash and recycling collection from the County
Plastic clamshells are a type of blister packaging made entirely from thermoplastic. They are commonly used to package berries, grapes, tomatoes, fresh herbs, restaurant leftovers, and to-go meals. While many of these clamshells are made of PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, the technology in Fairfax County is set up to recycle bottle-shaped PET, not clamshells. Additionally, some clamshells are made from polystyrene, or #6 plastic, which is not recycled in the county. As a result, only about 10% of residents in Fairfax County who receive trash and recycling collection from the County government are unable to recycle clamshells. The other 90% of residents and businesses in Fairfax County receive trash and recycling services from a private collection company and should contact their provider directly for instructions.
Fairfax County's recycling program does not include plastic clamshells. This is due to the challenges posed by the shape and material of clamshell packaging. While residents are encouraged to recycle plastic bottles, jugs, and jars, clamshells, takeout containers, and Styrofoam™ are not accepted in the county's recycling program. The county's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) has optical sorting technology that can distinguish between different types of plastic, but it is designed to sort bottle-shaped PET, not the pie-shaped, square, or rectangular clamshells.
To address the issue of clamshell plastic waste, residents are encouraged to reduce their consumption of products packaged in clamshells and to reuse clamshells whenever possible. For example, instead of purchasing produce packaged in clamshells, residents can bring their own reusable containers to stores and restaurants. This reduces the amount of clamshell plastic waste generated.
While recycling programs that accept clamshells are available to more than 60% of the US population, Fairfax County is not one of them. As of 2017, the county's recycling program did not include clamshells, and there is no recent information suggesting that this has changed. As such, residents of Fairfax County who receive trash and recycling services from the County government, constituting only about 10% of the population, must dispose of clamshells with their regular trash.
To determine whether your trash and recycling are collected by the County or a private company, you can visit the “Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?” webpage or use the provided map. If you are a County Collection Customer, you can call the customer service number for instructions on trash and recycling collection. It is important to note that different collection companies may have specific instructions for trash and recycling, so residents should contact their providers directly for accurate information.
The Plastic Recycling Promise: Are Companies Keeping It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
90% of residents are served by a private collection company
Plastic clamshells are a type of packaging made entirely from thermoplastic, or plastic that has been heated. They are commonly used for packaging berries, grapes, tomatoes, fresh herbs, leftovers, and to-go meals.
In Fairfax County, Virginia, plastic clamshells are not recycled as part of the county's recycling program. This is due to the shape of the packaging and the type of plastic used. While some clamshells are made of PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, which is recycled in the county, the technology is set up to recycle bottle-shaped PET, not pie-shaped, square, or rectangular clamshells. Additionally, some clamshells are made from polystyrene, or #6 plastic, which is not recycled in Fairfax County.
If you are a resident of Fairfax County, Virginia, and are unsure about how to recycle plastic clamshells, it is important to note that 90% of residents and businesses in the county are served by a private collection company for trash and recycling. These private companies take the recyclables to a privately-owned Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in the region. If you are part of this 90%, you should contact your provider directly to receive specific instructions on how to recycle plastic clamshells. It is important to follow your recycling collector's guidelines regarding the types of plastics they accept, as not all plastics are recyclable in your area.
To determine if you are a county collection customer or served by a private collection company, you can visit the “Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?” webpage or use the provided map. Additionally, you can refer to the "View Permitted Solid Waste Collection Companies" webpage to find a list of permitted solid waste collection companies in the county.
Plastics' Biological Recycling: Researching the Science of Sustainability
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic bags cannot be recycled in the County
Plastic bags cannot be recycled in Fairfax County, Virginia. The County asks that plastic bags be disposed of with regular household trash and not with recycling. This is because plastic bags can get caught in the recycling machinery. Residents are instructed to place recyclables in their recycling cart or container loose, clean, and dry.
If you are a County Collection Customer, you can call the customer service number for instructions on how to dispose of your waste. Only about 10% of residents in Fairfax County receive trash and recycling collection from the Fairfax County Government. The remaining 90% of residents and businesses in the County receive trash and recycling services from a private collection company. If you are unsure whether you are a County Collection Customer, you can visit the County website to find out.
If you are disposing of plastic bags, you can recycle them at the grocery or retail store. However, do not place plastic bags in your recycling cart. The homeowner is responsible for storing and cleaning the carts.
The recyclability of an item is a matter of whether there is a buyer for the recovered material. If there is no buyer, then the material won't be recycled.
Delaware's Plastic Clamshell Containers: Recycle or Reuse?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, plastic clamshells cannot be recycled in Fairfax County, VA. This is because they are made from polystyrene, or #6 plastic, which is not recycled in the County.
Clamshell plastic should be disposed of with your regular trash.
Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars can be recycled in Fairfax County, VA. Plastic bags can be recycled at grocery or retail stores.
![[100 Count] Clear Plastic Forks Heavy Duty, Premium Disposable Forks, Durable Plastic Cutlery for Parties, Picnics, Big Event, Daily Use - Heat Resistant & BPA Free](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71BiJVdS6-L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
