Sofia Martinez
Nashville residents can recycle paper, cartons, cardboard, food and drink cans, and plastic bottles, jars, and jugs. However, the city's recycling program does not accept all plastics, and there are specific guidelines for what can be recycled. For example, plastic bags, plastic cups, and Styrofoam are not accepted. So, is Type 6 plastic recyclable in Nashville?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type 6 plastic recyclable in Nashville | Yes, but only in the form of bottles, jars and jugs |
| Other recyclable plastics in Nashville | #1 and #2 plastics |
| Other recyclable materials in Nashville | Paper, cartons, cardboard, food and drink cans, plastic bottles, jars and jugs |
| Non-recyclable materials in Nashville | Plastic bags, plastic containers/tubs, shredded paper, hardback books, plastic takeout containers, Styrofoam, plastic cups, hoses, wires, chains, electronics, yard waste, clothing, linens, aerosol cans, wet cardboard, greasy pizza boxes, bubble wrap, face masks, aluminium foil and pans, used gift cards and expired credit cards |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags and plastic cups are not accepted
Nashville residents are often confused about what can and cannot be recycled, and plastic bags and plastic cups are among the items that are commonly put in curbside bins that are not acceptable. Other items that are not recyclable in Nashville include Styrofoam, yard waste, and food or liquid waste.
It is important to note that not everything can be recycled, and it is better to throw something out than to put it in the recycling bin and risk contaminating other items. The local recycling rules can be confusing, and it is always best to check before putting something in the recycling bin. The Waste Wizard feature of Nashville's Waste and Recycling App can be a helpful resource to determine what can and cannot be recycled.
Additionally, it is important to prepare recyclables properly. Items must be clean, empty, and dry, and placed loose in the container, not in a plastic bag. Plastic caps should be left on or thrown away separately, not placed loose in the recycling container. Cardboard should be flattened.
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Plastic bottles, cans, and cardboard are accepted
It's important to prepare your recyclables correctly. All items must be clean, empty, and dry. They should be placed loosely in the recycling container, not in a plastic bag, as the sorting line is not designed to open bags. Plastic caps should be left on bottles or thrown away separately, not placed loosely in the recycling container where they can get stuck. Cardboard should be flattened.
The recycling program in Nashville is known as "Recycle Right." It can be challenging to understand what can and cannot be recycled, and contamination of the recycling system with non-recyclable items is a significant issue. Plastic bags, for example, are a common contaminant, as they jam and sometimes break the sorting machines. Other non-recyclable items include Styrofoam, plastic cups and tubs, hoses, wires, electronics, yard waste, clothing, and shredded paper.
To make recycling easier for residents, Nashville offers resources like the Waste Wizard and Recycle Right guidelines on its website, nashville.gov, as well as "The Nash Trash" newsletter. The city also provides curbside recycling carts to eligible households and has designated drop-off sites and convenience centers for certain materials, like glass and electronic waste.
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Plastic containers for food are not accepted
Nashville's recycling system can be a little confusing, and not all plastics are accepted. Plastic containers for food are not always accepted for recycling in Nashville, and this is largely due to the form the plastic takes and the lack of a market for some types of plastic.
The Material Recovery Facility in Nashville accepts plastics 1-7 for recycling, but only in the form of household food and beverage containers. This means that plastic tubs, yoghurt pots, cottage cheese containers, and takeout containers are not accepted. The recycling center does not have a buyer for these types of plastic, and they are too small to be effectively recycled. Plastic bags are also not accepted as they jam and break the sorting machines.
It is important to recycle right in Nashville to avoid contaminating the entire recycling system. Contamination rates in Davidson County are at 22%, which is alarming. Plastic bags, Styrofoam, and dirty containers are common contaminants. To avoid contamination, all containers must be clean, empty, and dry. Place items loose in the container, not in a plastic bag. Plastic caps should be left on or thrown away separately, not placed loose in the recycling container.
There are a number of ways to find out more about recycling in Nashville. The Nashville Waste Services newsletter, 'The Nash Trash', provides information on recycling, composting, and zero-waste initiatives. There is also a Waste and Recycling App that can be used to look up what can and cannot be recycled. The Public Works department also runs webinars to help educate the public on what can be recycled and why.
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Plastic bottle caps should be left on or thrown away
Nashville's recycling services advise that plastic caps should be left on or thrown away, but loose caps should not be placed in the recycling container. This is because plastic bottle caps can get stuck in the recycling machinery, and they are too small to be effectively recycled.
In Nashville, plastics numbered 1-7 can be recycled, but the form of the plastic plays a role in whether it can be recycled at the facility. Generally, it is best to stick to household plastics, such as food and beverage containers.
Plastic bottle caps are made from a different type of plastic than the bottles themselves, and they are also smaller and can get lost during the recycling process. In the past, recycling plants were not able to effectively recycle bottles with caps on, but technologies have improved, and now the two components can be separated naturally in a water bath. Therefore, it is now recommended to leave the cap on the bottle when recycling. However, it is important to check with your local recycling program, as some areas may not have the technology to recycle plastic caps, or they may have different guidelines for metal caps.
To recycle a plastic bottle with its cap on, ensure that the bottle is empty and rinse it out to remove any residue. Then, put the cap back on the bottle and place it in your recycling bin. It is also recommended to retain the bottle's 3D form to help with successful sorting.
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Plastic bags, hoses, and diapers contaminate the recycling system
Plastic bags, hoses, and diapers are among the items that contaminate the recycling system in Nashville. These items are not recyclable and cause issues for recycling facilities and their workers.
Plastic bags are a significant source of contamination in residential recycling streams. In Nashville, plastic bags of all kinds, including garbage bags, grocery bags, and even bags marketed as recyclable, are not accepted in the city's recycling program. Bags can jam and break the sorting machines, as well as tangle with other materials, reducing their value and recyclability. This leads to recyclable materials being sent to landfills instead of being properly recycled.
Hoses are another item that can contaminate the recycling system. Garden hoses, in particular, can get wrapped around the sorting equipment, requiring workers to cut them free, causing disruptions and delays in the recycling process.
Diapers and soiled fibers are also mentioned as contaminants in Nashville's recycling system. These items can contaminate entire batches of recyclable materials, rendering them unrecyclable.
It is important for residents to educate themselves on proper recycling practices through initiatives like Nashville's "Recycle Right" program. This program aims to clarify what items can and cannot be recycled, as well as explain the reasons behind these restrictions. By following the guidelines, residents can help improve the efficiency of the recycling system and reduce contamination.
Additionally, it is worth noting that not all plastics are recyclable in Nashville. While plastics numbered 1-7 can be recycled, the form of the plastic is crucial. The city's Material Recovery Facility cannot recycle film or industrial-grade plastics. Residents are advised to stick to household plastics, such as food and beverage containers, and to avoid placing recyclables in trash bags.
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Frequently asked questions
Nashville accepts #1 and #2 type plastics for recycling, but only in the form of bottles, jars and jugs. Plastic bags, plastic tubs, plastic cups, plastic takeout containers, plastic bags, and plastic wrapping are not accepted.
Nashville offers curbside recycling for eligible households. Items must be clean, empty, and dry. Place items loose in the container, not in a plastic bag. Plastic caps should be left on or thrown away. Cardboard should be flattened.
Do not place loose plastic caps in the recycling container. Do not recycle styrofoam, yard waste, clothing, linens, glass, food, liquid, shredded paper, aerosol cans, hardback books, bubble wrap, face masks, aluminum foil, or used gift cards/expired credit cards.
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