Chloe Zhang
As of 2024, only 11% of plastic waste in Minneapolis is recycled, with the majority of plastic waste being burned or sent to landfills. The city has stopped accepting several types of plastics, including No. 6 plastics and black plastic of any number, due to limited resale markets and sorting challenges. This raises questions about the recyclability of specific plastic types, such as #4 plastic, commonly used for products like cling wrap and takeout containers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic #4 recyclable in Minneapolis | No |
| Reason | No resale market |
| Other non-recyclable plastics in Minneapolis | #3, #6, #7 |
| Recyclable plastics in Minneapolis | #1, #2, #5 |
| Plastic waste in Minneapolis that is recycled | 11% |
| Plastic waste in Minneapolis that is burned | Majority |
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What You'll Learn
Only 11% of plastic waste in Minneapolis is recycled
According to a July report published by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, only 11% of plastic waste in Minneapolis is recycled. The report, titled "A Tale of Five Cities: Plastic Barriers to Zero Waste," examined plastic recycling in five cities: Minneapolis, Baltimore, Detroit, Long Beach, California, and Newark, New Jersey. Despite having one of the best recycling programs in the group, with a highly-ranked municipal curbside single-sort recycling service and a top-rated nonprofit recycling contractor, Minneapolis still struggles to effectively recycle most of its plastic waste.
The low recycling rate of plastic in Minneapolis is due to various factors. One issue is the lack of a viable resale market for certain types of plastics. According to Lynn Hoffman, co-president of Eureka Recycling, a Minneapolis-based company that handles residential recycling for the city, the resale markets for glass, paper, and metals are strong. However, the viability of the market for plastics depends on the specific type of plastic and the base resin used to form it. While some common plastics, such as types #1 (water/soda bottles), #2 (milk jugs/detergent containers), and #5 (yogurt cups), have resale value and are typically recycled, less common plastics like types #3, #4, #6, and #7 often lack a resale market and are likely to be burned or landfilled.
Another challenge is posed by plastic bags, which are non-recyclable and can cause operational issues at recycling facilities. Additionally, black plastics are non-recyclable because the laser readers used to sort materials cannot identify their type, and they have a lower resale value. Packing wrap, despite sometimes bearing the three-arrow symbol, is also non-recyclable. These factors contribute to the low recycling rate of plastic in Minneapolis, with most plastic waste ending up in trash bins and being burned, leading to concerns about dangerous pollution in nearby vulnerable communities.
To address these issues, environmental justice advocates in Minneapolis are pushing for zero waste. They are calling for improvements in plastic recycling practices and advocating for the closure of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), a garbage-burning-to-energy facility, due to its contribution to air pollution. The city's recycling coordinator, Kellie Kish, is also actively engaging with residents to educate them about best recycling practices and promote sustainable alternatives. Despite the challenges, Minneapolis's recycling program has been recognized as one of the best in the nation, and the city continues to strive for more effective plastic waste management.
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No. 4 plastic is not commonly recycled
In Minneapolis, No. 4 plastic is not commonly recycled. This is because there is no real resale market for this type of plastic, and it will likely be burned or landfilled. The viability of the market for plastic recycling depends on the base resin used to form the particular plastic.
While the resale markets for glass, paper, and metals are robust, the same cannot be said for plastics. Only certain types of plastics have resale value and are typically recycled into new products. These include plastic types #1 (such as water or soda bottles), #2 (like milk jugs or laundry detergent containers), and #5 (for example, yogurt cups).
However, for less common plastics, such as types #3, #4, #6, and #7, there is often no resale market. These plastics are often used to make products like cling wrap, takeout containers, and CDs. As a result, they are usually burned or landfilled instead of being recycled.
In Minneapolis, the majority of plastic waste is not recycled and ends up in the trash. According to a report by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, only 11% of plastic waste in the city is recycled. Despite having a successful recycling program, most plastics are not being properly disposed of for recycling.
To address this issue, the city has implemented initiatives such as the Green-To-Go rules, which banned the use of No. 6 plastics for takeout or to-go boxes. However, as of 2021, clean air advocates are calling for the closure of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, a garbage-burning-to-energy facility, due to concerns about dangerous pollution in vulnerable communities.
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Plastic bags and films can be dropped off for recycling
The City of Minneapolis has specific guidelines for recycling plastic bags and films. It's important to note that these materials cannot be recycled in your regular curbside recycling bin. Instead, you should take them to a designated drop-off location.
The drop-off locations for plastic bags and films in Minneapolis include select grocery stores and retail stores. You can typically find collection bins for these items at the front of the store or in the customer service area. It is recommended to call ahead to confirm that a particular store accepts plastic bag and film recycling before dropping them off.
It is important to prepare your plastic bags and films properly before dropping them off for recycling. Make sure they are clean and dry, and remove any non-plastic items, such as receipts, labels, or food residue. Keep in mind that not all types of plastic are recyclable. In Minneapolis, the city has stopped accepting certain types of plastic, such as plastic #6 and black plastic, due to limited resale markets for these materials.
By following these guidelines and properly disposing of plastic bags and films, you can help reduce plastic waste in Minneapolis and contribute to a more sustainable environment.
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Food and beverage containers are recyclable
Food and beverage containers are generally recyclable in Minneapolis. This includes containers for yogurt, peanut butter, and spaghetti sauce. However, it's important to ensure that these containers are cleaned out before recycling, with Minneapolis recycling coordinator Kellie Kish recommending a 95% cleanliness level. Containers with residual food can be contaminated and may not be suitable for recycling.
It's important to note that certain types of plastics may not be recyclable in Minneapolis. For example, No. 6 plastics, which include polystyrene and black plastic of any number, are no longer accepted in the city's bi-weekly collections. This decision was made due to weak and limited markets for recycled No. 6 plastics. Polystyrene is commonly found in products such as disposable cups, plates, bowls, takeout containers, and bakery packaging.
Other types of plastics that may be challenging to recycle include soft and hard plastic rings, which are found on beer cans and craft beers, respectively. Soft plastic rings should be cut and brought to dedicated recycling locations, while hard plastic rings are difficult for machinery to sort and are best avoided.
Additionally, plastic bags and plastic films are not accepted in recycling carts and should be brought to drop-off locations if they are clean and dry. This helps ensure that the recycling process is effective and that plastic waste is properly managed.
It's worth noting that Minneapolis has a single-sort recycling system, allowing all recyclable materials to be placed in one cart. This simplifies the process for residents, but it's still important to follow guidelines for specific types of materials, such as food and beverage containers. Overall, while food and beverage containers are recyclable in Minneapolis, it is crucial to adhere to the city's recycling guidelines and stay informed about any updates or changes.
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Black plastic is not accepted for recycling
In Minneapolis, only 11% of plastic waste is recycled, with the majority of plastic waste ending up in the trash. Plastic types #1, #2, and #5 are commonly recycled, while less common plastics such as types #3, #4, #6, and #7 are not.
The use of carbon black pigments to dye packaging black is common among manufacturers as it enables colours or imperfections to be masked. However, this makes it difficult for recycling plants to sort the plastic using Near Infra-Red (NIR) technology. As a result, black plastic packaging often ends up as residue and is disposed of in landfills or incinerated.
Black plastic also poses challenges to the recycling process as it can contaminate other plastics. The toxins in black plastic can leach into the soil and waterways, causing harm to animals and the environment.
To address this issue, organizations such as WRAP and the Consumer Goods Forum are encouraging manufacturers to use detectable black pigments and avoid carbon black. This will allow black plastic to be identified by scanners and sorted for recycling.
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Frequently asked questions
No, #4 plastic is not commonly recycled in Minneapolis.
The viability of the market for #4 plastic depends on the base resin used to form the particular plastic. There is no real resale market for #4 plastic, and the substance will likely be burned or landfilled.
#6 plastic and any black plastic are also not accepted for recycling in Minneapolis.
