Chloe Zhang
The City of Raleigh offers single-stream recycling, meaning that all recyclable items are placed in one bin and sorted at a facility. Plastic items that are accepted include bottles, jugs, clamshells, deli containers, produce boxes, and dairy containers. Plastic bags are also recyclable, but they should not be placed in the blue bin as they can tear and get caught in the machinery. Plastic plant pots can be recycled at the NC Farmers Market, and plastic bottles are recycled and turned into yarn for athletic apparel and graduation robes at UNC-Chapel Hill. However, there is some skepticism about the effectiveness of plastic recycling in Raleigh, with some claiming that a large portion of recycled materials are still sent to landfills or burned.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic accepted | Plastic marked #1-7 or PETE, including bottles, jugs, and clamshells, as well as deli containers, produce boxes, and dairy containers |
| Plastic not accepted | Plastic bags, grocery bags, shopping bags, cereal bags, Ziploc bags, chip bags, plastic lids, plastic clamshell containers |
| Plastic recycling process | Single-stream recycling, where all the recyclable things go in one bin and get sorted at the facility |
| Plastic recycling locations | Sonoco Recycling in Raleigh, grocery stores like Target, Food Lion, and Harris Teeter, NC Farmers Market, Wake County Multi-Material Recycling Center |
| Plastic recycling outcomes | Melted down and spun into yarn, recycled into new plastic |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags can be recycled at grocery stores
Plastic bags can be recycled at several locations in Raleigh, including local grocery stores such as Target, Food Lion, and Harris Teeter. These stores accept plastic bags and films as long as they are clean and dry. It is recommended to reuse plastic bags first, such as for cleaning or carrying items, and then recycle them when they become too worn.
It is important to note that plastic bags should not be placed in the blue recycling bins provided by the city of Raleigh. These bags can cause issues during the recycling process, including jamming machinery at the recycling plant. Instead, residents are encouraged to drop off their plastic bags at designated locations, such as those listed on BagAndFilmRecycling.org.
The City of Raleigh provides updates to residents on acceptable recycling practices, including the recycling of plastic bags. However, it can be challenging to keep up with the changing rules and guidelines for recycling in the city. In addition to plastic bags, other items that are recyclable in Raleigh include plastic plant pots, which can be taken to the NC Farmers Market, and plastic bottles made of PET plastic, which can be placed in the curbside recycling bins.
Overall, it is important for residents of Raleigh to stay informed about proper recycling practices and to utilize resources such as the city website, local grocery stores, and designated drop-off locations to ensure that plastic bags and other recyclable materials are disposed of correctly. By recycling plastic bags at grocery stores and other locations, individuals can play a crucial role in reducing landfill waste and promoting environmental sustainability in their community.
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Plastic plant pots can be recycled at NC Farmers Market
Collection sites were organized at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market and the Raleigh State Farmers Market. These sites are used to collect nursery containers, which are not recyclable through curbside recycling programs. The public can drop off plastic nursery containers, including pots, flats, trays, and cell packs, at these sites. Once the sites are full, designated recycling vendors will collect the containers at no cost.
Lowe's also accepts plastic plant pots, flats, and packs for recycling at their stores, including six locations in North Carolina. Plastics returned to these stores are sent to Metrolina Greenhouses, where they are sorted by plastic type. Pots and containers that can be reused are cleaned and put back into production. Those that cannot be reused are shredded and sent to a recycler. Some of the plastics are used to make new plant containers, while others are used to produce plastic landscape timbers and other outdoor plastic items.
It is important to note that plastic flower pots cannot be recycled in your curbside bin. However, they can be reused for your own gardening or shared/propagated plants from your garden.
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Plastic bottle caps can be recycled
The good news is that a new optical sorting machine that can accurately capture and sort plastic lids is expected to be installed soon. This will streamline the process and make it more efficient. In the meantime, residents can continue to recycle plastic bottle caps, but they may need to take some extra steps to ensure they are properly recycled.
One option is to recycle plastic bottles and their caps together. Plastic bottles, including the caps, can be placed in Raleigh's curbside recycling bins. This is because the caps are made of the same material as the bottles and can be recycled together. This approach ensures that the caps are not mistakenly sorted as trash during the recycling process.
Additionally, some private recycling companies in Raleigh may have the capacity to recycle plastic bottle caps separately. Residents can explore options beyond the city's recycling program by contacting local recyclers or specialized recycling companies. These companies may have different processes and technologies that enable them to effectively recycle plastic lids.
It is important to note that, regardless of the recycling method, all containers should be emptied and rinsed clean before being placed in the recycling bin. This helps ensure that the recycled materials can be properly processed and contributes to a more effective recycling stream in Raleigh. Recycling, when done properly, has benefits beyond just keeping materials out of landfills. It supports the local economy and provides jobs in the recycling industry. However, it is important to be mindful of the realities of plastic recycling, as not all plastic that is placed in recycling bins actually gets recycled.
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Plastic food containers are recyclable
While plastic bags are technically recyclable, they are not accepted in the blue recycling bins provided by the city. Instead, residents are encouraged to reuse them and, once they are too worn, take them to local grocery stores such as Target, Food Lion, and Harris Teeter for recycling. Plastic plant pots can also be recycled at one of about a dozen collection points across North Carolina, including the NC Farmers Market.
It is important to note that there have been concerns about the effectiveness of Raleigh's recycling program, with some claiming that a large portion of recyclables are still being sent to landfills or burned. However, a city council representative confirmed that most of the recyclables collected by the city are indeed recycled. Raleigh's recycling process involves melting down plastic items and spinning them into yarn, which is then used in products such as athletic apparel and graduation robes.
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Plastic bottles and jugs are accepted
It is important to note that plastic bags, shopping bags, cereal bags, Ziploc bags, and similar items are not accepted in regular recycling bins. These items can cause issues during the recycling process, as they may tear and get caught in the machinery. However, local grocery stores like Target, Food Lion, and Harris Teeter collect clean and dry plastic bags for recycling.
Plastic bottles and jugs should be thoroughly rinsed and emptied before being placed in the recycling bin. This is to ensure that any residual product does not contaminate other recyclables. Additionally, lids should be removed, as they can clog the recycling equipment. Plastic bottle caps, however, can be included in the recycling, as they are made of the same material as the bottle and can be recycled together.
The recycling process for plastic bottles in Raleigh involves several steps. Once placed in the curbside recycling bins, trucks collect the mixed recyclables and take them to a recycling plant, such as Sonoco in Raleigh. At the plant, the materials undergo machine and hand sorting to separate them into like items. Plastic bottles, for example, are mostly made of PET plastic and are sorted accordingly. The sorted PET plastic is then baled into cubes and prepared for the next stage of the recycling process.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics marked #1-7 or PETE can be recycled in Raleigh. This includes bottles, jugs, and clamshells, as well as deli containers, produce boxes, and dairy containers. Plastic bags, on the other hand, cannot be recycled in the blue bins provided by the city. However, local grocery stores like Target, Food Lion, and Harris Teeter collect these plastic bags as long as they are clean and dry.
The majority of Raleigh's plastic items are melted down and spun into yarn in Yadkinville, about 30 miles west of Winston-Salem.
Raleigh offers single-stream recycling, which means that all recyclable materials can go into one bin and will be sorted at the facility. Other recyclable materials include glass, cardboard, aluminum, steel, and paper.
