Sofia Martinez
Plastic recycling is a complex issue, and what can be recycled differs from city to city. In Seattle, plastic bags and plastic wrap are no longer accepted in curbside recycling bins. This is because thin plastics can get caught in the gears of sorting machines, causing shutdowns. However, residents can take these plastics to drop-off sites at retail stores. Other types of plastics, such as LDPE, used for condiment bottles, and PVC, used for shower curtains, are not commonly recycled. On the other hand, plastics numbered 1 and 2 are the most commonly recycled and are used for items such as soft drink bottles and peanut butter jars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastics Accepted in Curbside Bins | No. 1 and No. 2 plastics |
| Plastics Accepted in Drop-Off Locations | Plastic bags, plastic wrap, plastic film, Amazon Prime plastic mailers with bubble wrap, plastic envelopes, plastic bags with food waste |
| Plastics Not Commonly Recycled | LDPE plastics, PVC, PS (Styrofoam) |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags and plastic wrap are not accepted in curbside recycling bins
As of January 1, 2020, Seattle Public Utilities and King County Solid Waste no longer accept plastic bags or plastic wraps in curbside recycling bins. Residents are asked to bundle these thin plastics at home and take them to drop-off sites at retail stores. This change was made because thin plastics tend to get caught in the gears of the sorting machines that separate different kinds of recycling. When this happens, the machines have to be shut down for an hour or more for workers to climb into the equipment and cut the bags out.
While bringing plastic bags and wrap to a drop-off location is best for the environment, customers in Seattle and King County can also throw them in the garbage. It is better to toss them out rather than contaminate other collected recyclables. Plastic bags and wrap are often wet or have food waste on them when placed in the curbside recycling bin, which can contaminate other materials. Additionally, at recycling facilities, these plastics can jam sorting and processing equipment, leading to frequent shutdowns so workers can remove the tangled materials.
It is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable in Seattle. Only plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 are commonly recycled. These types of plastic are found in milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, household cleaner bottles, motor oil bottles, and juice bottles. These can be recycled into items such as flower pots, toys, traffic cones, and trash cans.
Other types of plastic, such as LDPE, are not commonly recycled. LDPE is used to make cellophane wrap, produce bags, disposable diaper liners, and squeezable condiment bottles. It is important to understand what items are recyclable in your area to avoid contaminating other recyclables and increasing costs for the recycling system.
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Plastic bags and wrap can be recycled at drop-off sites
Plastic bags and wraps are no longer allowed in recycling bins in Seattle. They often come into contact with food waste or get wet, contaminating other materials in the recycling bin. They can also jam sorting and processing equipment at recycling facilities, leading to costly and time-consuming shutdowns.
Instead, residents are asked to bundle these thin plastics at home and take them to drop-off sites. Drop-off locations include retail and grocery stores, such as Fred Meyer, QFC, Safeway, and Target. These stores have recycling boxes specifically for plastic bags and wraps.
It is important to ensure that all plastic bags and wraps are clean and dry before dropping them off for recycling. If they are dirty, they should be thrown in the trash.
Amazon Prime plastic mailers with bubble wrap inside are also considered garbage material unless taken to a store for recycling. It is essential to remove any paper labels from these mailers before recycling them.
By taking plastic bags and wraps to drop-off sites, you can help keep the bundled recyclables cleaner and easier to manufacture into new products.
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LDPE plastics are not commonly recycled
In Seattle, plastic bags and plastic wrap are no longer accepted in curbside recycling bins. Instead, residents are encouraged to take these items to drop-off sites at retail stores. This change was implemented due to the issues thin plastics were causing in the gears of the sorting machines used to separate different types of recycling.
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a type of plastic used in the creation of dozens of common products, including plastic bags, disposable diaper liners, condiment bottles, and packaging pipes and tubes. While LDPE can technically be recycled, it is not commonly done. LDPE is a cheap and low-quality plastic, and its thin and flexible nature means it often gets tangled in recycling machinery, causing frequent shutdowns and damage to equipment. This makes the recycling of LDPE financially unviable for many municipalities, and as a result, LDPE is not widely accepted in curbside recycling programs.
In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that only 6.2% of LDPE generated that year was recycled, compared to recycling rates of 18.4% and 10.3% for plastics type #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE), respectively. This low recycling rate for LDPE is despite the fact that recycled LDPE can be used to create a range of products, including garbage cans, manufactured lumber, and new plastic bags.
The complications and costs associated with recycling LDPE highlight the importance of moving towards reusable items and holding manufacturers accountable for the environmental impact of their products. While recycling is an important part of waste management, preventing plastic waste in the first place is crucial to addressing the broader issue of plastic pollution.
In Seattle, some grocery stores and retailers provide collection bins for customers to return used plastic bags, ensuring they are properly recycled. Additionally, some private companies, such as Miller Recycling, accept LDPE for processing and offer competitive prices for recyclable plastics.
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PS plastics are recycled in some areas
Polystyrene (PS) plastic is widely used in everyday products, such as foam packaging, disposable food containers, and toys. It is lightweight, low-cost, and versatile, making it an attractive material for many applications. However, PS has a reputation for being challenging to recycle due to its low density and the complexity and high cost of the recycling process.
Despite these challenges, PS plastics are recycled in some areas. Some cities and countries have programs that accept PS foam products for recycling. These programs involve collecting and processing PS waste to remove impurities and contaminants. The PS is then ground into smaller particles and can be recycled into a limited range of new products, such as picture frames, plastic lumber, casings for electronics, and insulation.
In Seattle, there have been efforts to reduce the use of PS plastic, such as banning polystyrene foam for food service. While PS recycling is not commonly mentioned in Seattle's recycling guidelines, some sources suggest that certain drop-off locations may accept plastic bags and wraps, which could include PS materials. It is recommended to contact local waste management offices or refer to specific drop-off location guidelines to confirm if PS plastics are accepted for recycling in Seattle.
To promote the recycling of PS plastics, some companies offer mail-in programs, allowing individuals to mail in their PS waste for recycling. Additionally, platforms like WasteTrade connect businesses with waste management companies specializing in recycling PS plastics, helping to increase the accessibility of PS recycling.
While recycling PS plastics can be challenging due to its complex and costly process, some communities and companies are making efforts to recycle and repurpose this material. These initiatives help reduce the amount of PS waste sent to landfills and contribute to positive environmental impacts, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving natural resources.
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Plastic containers with recycling symbols may not be recyclable
The chasing arrows symbol we often see on plastic containers and products does not necessarily mean the product is recyclable. The numbers inside the triangle are recycling symbols 1 through 7, each of which represents a different type of plastic and distinct recycling instructions. For example, the number 1 plastic is the most commonly recycled plastic, which is lightweight and easy to recycle. It is used for soft drink bottles, peanut butter jars, salad dressing bottles, plastic liquor bottles, mineral water containers, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. It is accepted by most curbside recycling programs and can be recycled to make items like egg cartons, containers, carpet, and more. Number 2 plastic, or HDPE, is one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States and is widely considered the plastic of choice for containers for items like cleaning agents, milk, detergents, and washing soap thanks to its low weight and high strength. It can be easily recycled into pipes, oil bottles, pens, and detergent bottles and is commonly accepted by curbside recycling.
However, not all plastics are commonly recycled. For example, LDPE items, or number 4 plastics, are not commonly recycled and are used to make cellophane wrap, produce bags, disposable diaper liners, and squeezable condiment bottles. Number 7 plastics, or "OTHER" plastics, include acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass. While both acrylic and polycarbonate can be recycled and repurposed for future projects, not every plastic in this category can be recycled, so it is important to confirm with your local recycling program.
In Seattle, plastic bags and plastic wraps are also no longer accepted in curbside bins. Residents are asked to bundle these thin plastics at home and take them to drop-off sites at retail stores. Dirty plastic bags and wraps should be thrown in the trash, but clean ones can be recycled and made into things like 'Trex' lumber.
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Frequently asked questions
Only plastics with Nos. 1 and 2 are commonly recycled. These include soft drink bottles, peanut butter jars, salad dressing bottles, plastic liquor bottles, mineral water containers, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers.
Most other types of plastics are rarely recycled. However, some plastics that weren't able to be processed in the past can now be recycled due to technological improvements.
Plastic bags and wraps are no longer accepted in curbside bins in Seattle. They can be recycled at drop-off sites at retail stores.
Plastic bags can jam sorting and processing equipment at recycling facilities, leading to frequent shutdowns.
These can be recycled if taken to a store, but the paper labels must be removed.
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