Omar Khalid
Arlington, Virginia, has a single-stream recycling system, meaning all recyclables are placed in one bin for collection. The county collects plastics marked 1–7 and sells them in bundles for processing in other states. However, only plastics marked 1, 2, and 5 may ultimately be recycled, with the others likely ending up in landfills or being incinerated. Plastic bags and shipping envelopes are recyclable but should not be placed in curbside bins. Arlington is also considering adding food scraps to its solid-waste management plan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | Number 5 plastic |
| Recyclability in Arlington, VA | Recyclable |
| Numeric resin identification code | 5 |
| Other recyclable plastics in Arlington, VA | Numbers 1, 2, 6, 7 |
| Arlington's recycling program | Single-stream (co-mingled) |
| Arlington's recycling facilities | Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) |
| Arlington's trash disposal | Converted to energy at a waste-to-energy facility in Alexandria |
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What You'll Learn
- Arlington collects plastics marked 1–7, but only plastics 1, 2 and 5 may be recycled
- Plastic bags and shipping envelopes are recyclable, but not in curbside bins
- Arlington conducts single-stream recycling, with all recyclables going into one bin
- Plastic windows in envelopes can be recycled in the comingled bin
- Arlington is considering adding food scraps to its solid-waste management plan
Arlington collects plastics marked 1–7, but only plastics 1, 2 and 5 may be recycled
Arlington, Virginia, collects plastics marked with a number from 1 to 7. However, only plastics marked with the numbers 1, 2, and 5 are likely to be recycled. The remaining plastics, marked with 3, 4, 6, and 7, may end up in landfills or be incinerated.
Arlington conducts single-stream recycling, also called co-mingled recycling. This means that all recyclables can be placed in a single bin that is left at the curb for collection. Trucks then transport the contents to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where items are sorted by machines and human workers. The sorted materials are then compressed and packaged into bales for sale to companies that will repurpose them.
While Arlington's recycling program includes plastics marked 1 to 7, not all of these plastics may actually be recycled. This discrepancy may be due to the challenges of recycling certain types of plastics or the lack of infrastructure to properly process them. It is important for residents to educate themselves on their local recycling guidelines to ensure they are recycling correctly and reducing their environmental impact.
To improve their recycling practices, residents of Arlington can take several steps. Firstly, it is important to buy less and opt for durable goods that last longer. Secondly, residents can donate items for others to reuse. Additionally, rinsing containers before recycling helps reduce contamination. It is also crucial to recycle only what is on the official list and avoid "wishful recycling," as not all items can be processed by the local recycling facilities.
Arlington's solid waste bureau chief, Erik Grabowsky, and the county's environmental management specialist, Adam Riedel, are knowledgeable resources for residents with questions or concerns about the local recycling program. By following the official guidelines and staying informed about proper recycling practices, the community can work together to maximize the effectiveness of their recycling efforts.
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Plastic bags and shipping envelopes are recyclable, but not in curbside bins
Plastic bags and shipping envelopes are recyclable, but they should not be placed in curbside bins. This is because they can contaminate other recyclables such as cans and bottles. However, they can be recycled separately.
In Arlington, Virginia, the county collects plastic marked 1–7 (marked in a triangle) and sells it in bundles for processing in other states. Plastic marked 1, 2, and 5 may be the only types ultimately being recycled, with 3, 4, 6, and 7 likely going to landfills or being incinerated.
Arlington conducts single-stream or co-mingled recycling, meaning all recyclables go into one bin that is dragged to the curb once a week. Trucks then collect the contents and transport them to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where items are sorted by machines and human workers.
While plastic bags and shipping envelopes should not be placed in these curbside bins, Arlington has several drop-off sites for glass recycling, and plastic bags and shipping envelopes can be recycled at these locations.
It is important to note that not all types of plastic are recyclable, and it is recommended to only recycle what is on the official list to avoid "wishful recycling." Additionally, it is important to rinse containers to reduce contamination and improve the chances of successful recycling.
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Arlington conducts single-stream recycling, with all recyclables going into one bin
The MRF plays a crucial role in the recycling process. Once a week, trucks collect the recyclables from the bins and transport them to the MRF. Here, the items are sorted by machines and human workers, ensuring that each material is properly separated. This sorting process is becoming more efficient with the introduction of newer machinery and sophisticated robotic equipment with electronic "eyes" that can identify materials faster and more accurately.
After sorting, the materials are compressed into bales and sold to companies that repurpose them. This step is essential for giving these materials a new life and reducing waste. While the single-stream recycling system offers convenience for residents, it is important to note that not all materials placed in the bins are actually recyclable.
For example, glass is not recycled at the MRFs serving Arlington, but it can be recycled separately at drop-off stations. Arlington has five glass recovery drop-off sites, where glass jars with their lids and labels can be deposited in purple receptacles. This separate collection of glass reduces contamination and increases the amount of glass that can be processed for recycling.
Additionally, it is important to avoid "wishful recycling," where non-recyclable items are placed in the bin with the hope that they can be recycled. Items such as plastic-lined paper coffee cups and plastic tops from coffee shops should be placed in the trash, as they do not belong in the recycling bin.
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Plastic windows in envelopes can be recycled in the comingled bin
In Arlington, Virginia, the local recycling program collects plastic marked 1–7 (marked in a triangle) for processing. However, only plastics marked 1, 2, and 5 may ultimately be recycled, with the others likely ending up in landfills or being incinerated.
When it comes to envelopes, plastic windows in envelopes can be recycled in the comingled bin. This is because Arlington conducts single-stream or comingled recycling, where all recyclables, including paper and cardboard, are placed in one bin for collection.
The comingled bin accepts newsprint, cardboard, printer paper, construction paper, magazines, and junk mail, including envelopes with plastic windows. These materials are then transported to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where they are sorted, compressed, and packaged for sale to companies that give them new life.
It is important to note that while plastic bags and shipping envelopes are also recyclable, they should not be placed in the curbside comingled bin. Instead, they can be recycled separately. Additionally, "wishful recycling" should be avoided, and only items on the official list should be placed in the comingled bin to ensure proper recycling practices.
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Arlington is considering adding food scraps to its solid-waste management plan
Plastic recycling can be confusing, and it is often unclear what types of plastic can be recycled. In Arlington, VA, the county collects plastic marked with a number 1–7 and sells it in bundles for processing. However, only plastics marked with a 1, 2, or 5 may ultimately be recycled, with the others likely ending up in landfills or being incinerated. To make matters more confusing, certain plastics, like plastic bags and shipping envelopes, should not be placed in curbside bins but are still recyclable.
According to the Department of Environmental Services (DES), the potential service change would only be available to those who receive residential waste collection from the county, primarily those in single-family homes. The new service would allow residents to toss their food scraps with their yard waste in the existing green bins, and all organic material would be taken to a composting facility. The addition of food scraps collection is expected to cost less than $12 annually for those paying the household solid waste rate.
The consideration of adding food scraps collection to the solid waste management plan comes after positive community feedback. A survey found that 79% of the 3,973 respondents supported adding food scraps to their organics carts. Furthermore, Arlington's quarterly trash audits revealed that food scraps make up more than 20% of what residents throw out, highlighting the potential impact of diverting this waste stream. The county is expected to have more information about the proposed change in the spring.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Arlington does collect plastic marked with #5 and sells it in bundles for processing in states like Alabama.
Arlington conducts single-stream recycling, meaning all recyclables, including #5 plastics, go into one bin that you drag to the curb once a week. Trucks then collect the contents and transport them to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where they are sorted by machines and human workers.
Plastics marked with #1 and #2 are also recyclable in Arlington.
