Omar Khalid
Lee County, Florida, accepts five types of items for recycling: paper, metal, cardboard, glass, and plastic containers. However, the county does not recycle all types of plastic. Plastic bags, for example, are not recycled by the county's waste management companies, Waste Pro, Solid Waste of Fort Myers, and Advanced Disposal, because they damage sorting equipment. Plastic bags can be recycled at Publix, which makes new plastic bags and hand baskets from the recycled material. In addition, Lee County recovers plastics numbered 1 through 7, which includes containers such as bottles and jars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags | Not accepted |
| Plastic film | Not accepted |
| Plastic wrap | Not accepted |
| Plastic containers | Accepted (numbers 1-7) |
| Plastic bags at Publix | Accepted |
| Plastic food containers | Accepted (stretchy, not crinkly) |
| Plastic grocery bags | Accepted (stretchy) |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags are not accepted
Lee County, Florida, accepts five types of items for recycling: paper, metal, cardboard, glass, and plastic containers. However, plastic bags are notably not accepted as part of the county's recycling program. This includes plastic shopping bags from local grocery stores like Publix and Winn-Dixie. Plastic bags are considered "stringy things" that can wrap around the conveying systems used to sort recyclables, causing machinery slowdowns and increased costs for the county.
Plastic bags also pose a challenge for waste management facilities due to their ability to "'gum up' sorting equipment. As a result, some waste management companies in Lee County, such as Waste Pro, Solid Waste of Fort Myers, and Advanced Disposal, choose to throw away plastic bags rather than attempt to recycle them. This means that plastic bags placed in recycling bins may ultimately end up in landfills, defeating the purpose of responsible recycling.
To promote proper recycling practices and avoid wish-cycling—the act of tossing questionable items into the recycling bin with the hope that they can be recycled—it is essential to follow the county's guidelines. Plastic bags should be disposed of properly and not included in recycling collections.
While plastic bags cannot be recycled through the county's program, some local grocery stores, like Publix, offer plastic bag collection bins. These stores accept various types of plastic bags, including stretchy bread and produce bags, and cereal bags (excluding those inside the box). These collected plastic bags are then recycled into new plastic bags or other plastic items, such as hand baskets.
By understanding the limitations of the county's recycling program and exploring alternative options for plastic bag disposal and recycling, residents of Lee County can play a crucial role in reducing recycling contamination and lowering costs while promoting sustainable waste management practices.
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Only plastic containers with recycle triangles numbered 1-7
Lee County, Florida, accepts plastic containers numbered 1-7 for recycling. These numbers are found within the chasing arrow recycle triangles on the bottom of containers.
Plastic containers with these numbers are the only plastics that can be recycled by the county. Other plastics, such as bags, plastic wrap, and garden hoses, are not accepted. This is because they can gum up the sorting equipment and slow down the machinery at the recycling plant.
The Lee County Solid Waste Recycling Center in Fort Myers asks that residents do not bag their recyclables for pickup. This is one of the main missteps that well-intentioned recyclers make. Items that are bagged will not be opened due to worker safety concerns and will be sent to the waste-to-energy facility instead of being recycled.
To ensure your plastic containers are recycled, rinse them out before placing them in your recycling bin.
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Bread and produce bags must be stretchy
To recycle plastics in Lee County, it is important to understand the specific requirements for different types of plastic materials. One such requirement is that bread and produce bags must be stretchy.
This stipulation is in place because bread and produce bags are typically made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is a type of plastic that is flexible, lightweight, and yes, stretchy. LDPE is commonly used for items that need to be both strong and pliable, such as plastic bags, six-pack drink carriers, and squeezable bottles.
The stretchiness of LDPE plastic is an important factor in the recycling process. This particular type of plastic can be recycled into a variety of new products, but it must first be properly sorted and processed. By ensuring that bread and produce bags are stretchy, recycling facilities can more easily identify and separate this type of plastic from other, more rigid types of plastic.
It is worth noting that not all stretchy plastics are created equal, and there may be specific guidelines around the types of stretchy plastic bags that can be recycled. For example, recycled plastic bags should be clean and dry, and they may need to be placed in a separate recycling bin or taken to a specialized drop-off location. It is always important to check with local recycling guidelines to ensure that you are properly disposing of your plastic waste.
By following these guidelines and understanding the specific requirements for recycling bread and produce bags, residents of Lee County can ensure that they are properly contributing to the recycling process and helping to reduce plastic waste.
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Cereal bags must be stretchy, not inside boxes
Only stretchy plastic cereal bags are accepted for recycling in Lee County, and they must be kept separate from cardboard cereal boxes. Plastic bags that are crisp-packet style are not accepted for recycling in the county.
Stretchy plastic cereal bags are often made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or a similar soft, flexible plastic. This type of plastic is recyclable, but it must be separated from other types of plastic and from cardboard.
It is important to keep the stretchy plastic cereal bags separate from the cardboard boxes because they are made from different materials. Cardboard boxes are easily recyclable, but when they are contaminated with soft plastic, they cannot be recycled. The soft plastic cereal bags must be placed in the recycling bin separately from the cardboard boxes to ensure they are properly sorted and recycled.
Additionally, it is worth noting that not all plastic bags are stretchy or made from LDPE. Some plastic bags, such as crisp packets, are made from a different type of plastic that is not currently recyclable in Lee County. These non-stretchy plastic bags should be disposed of in the general waste bin, as they cannot be recycled along with the stretchy plastic cereal bags.
Therefore, when recycling in Lee County, it is important to separate stretchy plastic cereal bags from the cardboard boxes and to dispose of non-recyclable plastic bags in the general waste bin. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that recyclables are properly sorted and recycled, contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Plastic film includes toilet paper and newspaper sleeves
Plastic film, including toilet paper and newspaper sleeves, is accepted in Lee County's recycling program. This means that you can include these items in your recycling bin or cart. However, it is important to ensure that the plastic film is clean and dry before placing it in the recycling. Any residue, especially food residue, can contaminate the entire load, making it unrecyclable.
When preparing plastic film for recycling, remove any non-plastic items, such as paper labels or stickers. It is also important to keep the plastic film dry, as wet or soiled plastic can be difficult to recycle and may be rejected by the recycling facility.
Toilet paper and newspaper sleeves are typically made of a type of plastic called polyethylene or polypropylene. These plastics are widely recyclable, but it is always a good idea to check with your local recycling program to ensure that they accept these materials.
In addition to plastic film, Lee County may also accept other types of plastics for recycling, such as bottles, containers, and bags. It is important to separate these different types of plastics and place them in the appropriate bins or carts. Consult your local waste management guidelines or recycling facility to learn about the specific types of plastics they accept and any preparation requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Lee County accepts plastic containers with a recycling triangle marked with numbers 1 through 7. These include plastic bottles, containers, and some plastic bags.
Lee County accepts stretchy bread and produce bags, as well as cereal bags that are not inside a box. Plastic bags from Publix or Winn-Dixie are not accepted.
In addition to plastic, Lee County accepts paper, metal, cardboard, and glass for recycling.
