Alexei Volkov
Kitsap County is committed to providing its residents with a convenient and reliable recycling program. The county encourages its residents to recycle plastics to achieve sustainability. However, with so many different types of plastics on the market, it can be challenging to identify which ones are recyclable in Kitsap County. The county's recycling guidelines help ensure that all recyclables, including plastics, are managed and disposed of properly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclable Plastics | Bottles, Jars, Dairy tubs, Milk cartons, Plastic bottles, Jugs, Lids and caps |
| Non-Recyclable Plastics | Plastic wrap, Cling film, Blister packaging, Plastic-coated wrapping paper, Composite plastic, Bioplastics, Polycarbonate |
| Other Recyclables | Newspaper, Cardboard, Glass, Cans |
| Notes | All recyclables should be clean, dry, and free of food waste or other hazardous materials |
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What You'll Learn
Milk cartons are recyclable in Kitsap County
However, it is important to be aware of the changes in the accepted materials for recycling in Kitsap County. Due to the contamination they produce, paper milk cartons and frozen food boxes with a smooth outer material are no longer accepted in the recycling bins. This change was made to align with other regional recycling programs and to ensure that the recycled materials are viable for use.
To properly recycle milk cartons in Kitsap County, residents should refer to the Kitsap County Business Disposal and Recycling Guide, which provides detailed information on acceptable materials and proper disposal methods. It is important to always ensure that recyclables are clean, dry, and free of food waste or other hazardous materials.
By following the county's recycling guidelines, residents can play a crucial role in keeping the environment clean and healthy while also supporting Kitsap County's commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic waste.
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Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars can be recycled
The county has a comprehensive recycling program, with clear guidelines to ensure all recyclables are managed and disposed of efficiently and sustainably. It is important to follow these guidelines, as contamination is a serious issue that can impact the recycling process. For example, paper milk cartons are no longer accepted in recycling bins due to the smooth outer material, which makes them non-compliant, and they often become moldy and smelly.
Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars are all acceptable recyclable materials in Kitsap County. These items should be placed in the appropriate blue or green bins for collection or taken to the recycling centers. It is important that these items are clean, dry, and free of food waste or other hazardous materials before being recycled. This will help ensure they can be effectively recycled and given a new life.
The plastics collected for recycling in Kitsap County are sorted at a facility in Tacoma called JMK Fiber. This facility is one of three state-of-the-art recycling facilities operated by Waste Management in the Pacific Northwest. With such a dedicated recycling plant, residents can be confident that their plastic bottles, jugs, and jars are being properly recycled.
By recycling plastic bottles, jugs, and jars, residents of Kitsap County are not only keeping these items out of landfills but also contributing to a more sustainable community. This simple act of recycling helps to reduce the demand for new plastic production and encourages the reuse of materials, supporting the county's commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.
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Plastic wrap and cling film are non-recyclable
Kitsap County strives for sustainability by encouraging residents to recycle plastics. Recyclable plastics in the county include plastic bottles, jars, and dairy tubs. However, not all plastics are recyclable, and it is essential to understand which plastics should be kept out of the recycling bin.
Plastic wrap, also known as "cling wrap" or "plastic film," is a tricky material when it comes to recycling. While the plastics used to make wraps and films are theoretically recyclable, the way they are used in packaging and products matters. Plastic wrap is often contaminated with food, which makes it unrecyclable. It is important to ensure that all recyclables are clean, dry, and free of food waste.
Some plastic wraps may also contain ingredients that can contaminate plastic recycling. If the wrap does not have a recycling number or label, it should be discarded with the regular trash. These plastics may contain toxic substances and should not be recycled or disposed of improperly.
In Kitsap County, plastic wrap made of cling film is listed as a non-recyclable material. This includes materials such as blister packaging, plastic-coated wrapping paper, composite plastic, bioplastics, and polycarbonate. These materials form irreversible chemical bonds that cannot be recycled.
While it is important to recycle plastics whenever possible, it is also crucial to follow the guidelines provided by local recycling programs. Residents of Kitsap County can refer to the county's Business Disposal and Recycling Guide to make informed decisions about plastic disposal and recycling.
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Styrofoam can be recycled
In Kitsap County, residents are encouraged to recycle and reduce their waste. The county includes Styrofoam in its list of acceptable materials for recycling. However, Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene (EPS), is not typically recycled through curbside programs. This is because EPS is more than 90% air, which makes it lightweight and bulky. As a result, the environmental benefits of recycling EPS are often outweighed by the costs of collection and transportation.
Despite this, EPS can be recycled in some locations. The Foodservice Packaging Institute provides information on foam recycling and locations that accept different types of EPS. Additionally, some shipping stores will take back packaging peanuts for reuse, and local governments and recycling companies may have drop-off locations specifically for foam packaging. In Kitsap County, the Kitsap Solid Waste Collection simplifies the process of recycling Styrofoam products.
It is important to note that Styrofoam is different from "true" Styrofoam, which is a trademarked name for a specific variation of EPS used in building insulation. The Styrofoam that people typically encounter in packaging and food service items is technically recyclable but highly inefficient to recycle due to its volume and the specialized equipment required to process it.
To recycle Styrofoam, it must be ground and compacted into a denser shape, which most recycling facilities cannot do. As a result, Styrofoam often needs to be taken to a special facility that can shred and repurpose it for alternative uses, such as creating hard plastic for office supplies or insulation. While Styrofoam can be recycled, it is important to consider the time, effort, and potential costs involved in finding the appropriate recycling locations and methods.
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Kitsap County's recycling program
Kitsap County is committed to providing its residents with a convenient and reliable recycling program. The county has implemented various initiatives to improve its recycling efforts and reduce contamination, including creating recycling guidelines and offering composting programs.
The recycling guidelines outline which materials are acceptable for recycling, such as newspaper, cardboard, specific plastics, glass, and cans. These recyclables should be placed in designated blue or green bins or taken to recycling centers. It is important that these materials are clean, dry, and free of food waste or other hazardous substances.
Plastics that can be recycled include those resembling bottles, jars, and dairy tubs. Kitsap County residents can also recycle Styrofoam products and milk cartons through the Kitsap Solid Waste Collection and the curbside recycling program, respectively. Other plastics, such as plastic wrap, cling film, blister packaging, and composite plastic, are not recyclable and should be disposed of in the trash if they do not have a recycling label.
The county's recycling coordinator, Caitlin Newman, emphasizes that recycling is just one part of environmental conservation. Kitsap County aims to align its recycling programs with those of other regions and ensure that recycled materials are properly managed and given new life. The county's efforts contribute to a "circular economy," where recycled materials are reused, reducing the need for landfill space.
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Frequently asked questions
Kitsap County accepts plastic bottles, jars, and dairy tubs for recycling. Residents are also encouraged to recycle milk cartons, dairy tubs, plastic bottles, jugs, and their lids and caps.
Paper milk cartons, plastic wraps, plastic-coated wrapping paper, composite plastic, bioplastics, and polycarbonate are not accepted for recycling in Kitsap County.
Kitsap County's recyclables are sorted at a facility in Tacoma known as JMK Fiber.
Recycling plastics helps Kitsap County strive for sustainability and keep the environment clean and healthy. Each ton of recycled aluminum saves about 1,665 gallons of gasoline.
