Alexei Volkov
Chicago's waste management system has been under scrutiny, with reports of recyclable materials being sent to landfills. The city's Blue Cart Program outlines the types of plastics that cannot be recycled through its services. These include polystyrene or Styrofoam (#6 plastics), plastic bags, plastic film, plastic food wrap, plastic cutlery, straws, bubble wrap, and unnumbered plastics. However, some items that cannot be recycled through the Blue Cart Program can be recycled at grocery stores or other specialised facilities. It is important to note that the presence of a chasing arrow emblem on a plastic item does not guarantee recyclability; instead, the numbers inside the triangle indicate the type of plastic and its recyclability status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program but can be recycled at grocery stores |
| Plastic food wrap | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program |
| Plastic cutlery and straws | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program |
| Plastic shopping bags | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program but can be recycled at grocery stores |
| Plastic newspaper sleeves | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program |
| Plastic #6 | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program |
| Unnumbered plastics | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program |
| Hard, reusable plastic bottles | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program |
| Plastic bottles and containers | Accepted in the Blue Cart Program (#1-5, 7) |
| Plastic case wrap on water bottle packages | Can be recycled |
| Soft plastic packaging | Can be recycled |
| Plastic gift cards and hotel keys | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program |
| Plastic containers for toxic substances | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program |
| Prescription pill containers | Not accepted in the Blue Cart Program |
| Plastic with "chasing arrow" emblem | May not be recyclable |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film wrap can be recycled at grocery stores
- Plastic containers with food or liquid inside cannot be recycled
- Plastic #6, or polystyrene/Styrofoam, is not accepted in the Blue Cart Program
- Unnumbered plastics, such as toothbrushes, toys, and hoses, are not recyclable
- Plastic cutlery, straws, and razors are not accepted in the Blue Cart Program
Plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film wrap can be recycled at grocery stores
Plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film wrap cannot be recycled in Chicago's blue carts and most curbside recycling bins. However, these items can be recycled at local grocery stores and major retailers like Jewel-Osco, Target, Best Buy, and Mariano's. Look for the drop-off bins usually placed near the front doors.
It is important to note that not all plastics are created equal, and the recyclability of a plastic item depends on the type of plastic it is made of. The "chasing arrow" emblem on a plastic container, indicating recyclability, can be misleading. Instead, look for the tiny numbers inside the triangle formed by the arrows to determine the type of plastic and whether it can be recycled.
In Chicago, plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film wrap are among the plastics that cannot be recycled through the city's blue cart program. However, these soft plastics can be recycled at participating retail stores, which have the necessary infrastructure to collect and recycle them.
To recycle plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film wrap, ensure they are clean and dry before dropping them into the store recycling bins. These plastics are stretchy and often get stuck in the equipment at regular recycling centers, which are designed to handle rigid plastic items like bottles and containers.
By recycling plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film wrap at participating grocery stores and retailers, you can help reduce plastic waste. According to a study, only 9% of plastic has been recycled globally, with the majority ending up as waste.
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Plastic containers with food or liquid inside cannot be recycled
To avoid contaminating your recycling bin, empty all containers before placing them in the blue recycle cart. It is important to note that the blue recycle cart should not contain any plastic bags, and all items should be placed loosely inside.
The City of Chicago provides specific guidelines for what can and cannot be recycled through its Blue Cart Program and Recycling Drop-off Centers. Plastic bottles and containers (#1-5, 7 accepted) are accepted, but #6 plastics (polystyrene or Styrofoam) are not. Other non-recyclable plastics include plastic bags, plastic film wrap, plastic cutlery, straws, plastic newspaper sleeves, plastic gift cards, and mystery plastic (plastic without a number).
It is important to check the tiny numbers inside the recycling symbol, as not all plastics are created equal. For example, plastic containers with the number 1 are typically made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) and are widely recycled, while #6 plastics are not accepted by the Blue Cart Program.
In addition to plastics, there are other items that should not be placed in recycling containers, such as batteries, electronics, pharmaceuticals, fluorescent bulbs, motor oil, oil-based paint, household chemicals, and metal tanks.
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Plastic #6, or polystyrene/Styrofoam, is not accepted in the Blue Cart Program
The Blue Cart Program in Chicago has strict rules about what can and cannot be recycled. Plastic #6, or polystyrene/Styrofoam, is not accepted in the Blue Cart Program. This is because polystyrene is a type of plastic that is difficult to recycle. Polystyrene is often used for food packaging and is commonly known as Styrofoam. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and efficient at keeping food and drinks hot or cold. However, it is also fragile and easily breaks into small pieces, which makes it challenging to recycle.
The City of Chicago's website provides clear guidelines on what can be recycled through its Blue Cart Program and what should be kept out of the recycling bins. Plastic bottles and containers (# 1-5 and 7) are accepted, but #6 plastics (polystyrene and Styrofoam) are not. Other unacceptable items include plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film wrap, which can be recycled at grocery stores instead.
It is important to separate acceptable and unacceptable plastics to ensure that the rest of the recyclables are not contaminated. In Chicago, one plastic bag or food item can cause an entire bin of recyclables to be labelled as "grossly contaminated," leading to all of its contents being dumped into a landfill.
To avoid contamination, the City of Chicago recommends placing recyclables loosely into the blue recycle cart without using a bag. All food and liquid containers should be emptied before being placed in the recycling bin.
In addition to polystyrene, there are other types of plastics that should be kept out of the Blue Cart Program. These include plastic shopping bags, plastic food wrap, plastic cutlery and straws, dry-cleaning bags, plastic newspaper sleeves, plastic gift cards, and old household glassware. Hazardous items such as batteries, electronics, pharmaceuticals, fluorescent bulbs, motor oil, oil-based paint, household chemicals, and metal tanks should also be avoided.
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Unnumbered plastics, such as toothbrushes, toys, and hoses, are not recyclable
The City of Chicago has specific guidelines for plastics that can be recycled. Plastic items accepted in the Chicago Blue Cart Program & Recycling Drop-off Centers include plastic bottles and containers (#1-5, 7 accepted). However, unnumbered plastics, such as toothbrushes, toys, and hoses, are not recyclable through this program.
The absence of a number on a plastic item indicates that it is "mystery plastic," which is not accepted for recycling in Chicago's Blue Cart Program. This classification includes items without a resin identification code, typically found within the triangular "chasing arrow" emblem. While this symbol is associated with recycling, its presence does not always signify recyclability.
The inability to recycle unnumbered plastics, such as toothbrushes, toys, and hoses, stems from their unique chemical compositions. These plastics may be made from various resins or polymers that differ from commonly recycled plastics like PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). As a result, they cannot be effectively processed and recycled into new products.
Additionally, some unnumbered plastics may contain additives or fillers that can complicate the recycling process. These additives could be used to enhance the durability, flexibility, or other properties of the plastic. However, they can also hinder the ability to recycle these materials effectively, leading to their exclusion from accepted recyclables.
It is important to note that while unnumbered plastics cannot be recycled through the Chicago Blue Cart Program, there may be other options for responsible disposal or recycling. Some specialty recyclers or recycling centers might accept these items, but it is essential to research these options beforehand to ensure proper handling.
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Plastic cutlery, straws, and razors are not accepted in the Blue Cart Program
The City of Chicago has a comprehensive list of materials that are accepted and not accepted in its Blue Cart Program. Plastic cutlery, straws, and razors are not accepted in the Blue Cart Program and should be disposed of separately.
The Blue Cart Program is Chicago's residential recycling program, which allows residents to recycle a wide range of materials, including plastic bottles and containers (#1-5, 7 accepted), glass jars and bottles, aluminum cans, foil, and paper products such as cardboard, office paper, and magazines. However, there are specific types of plastics that are not accepted in the Blue Cart Program.
Plastic cutlery, straws, and razors fall under the category of "unnumbered plastics," which are not accepted in the Blue Cart Program. This category includes items such as toothbrushes, toys, hoses, and cereal box liners, which do not have a number or symbol indicating that they are recyclable. These items should be disposed of separately and not placed in the Blue Cart.
Additionally, it is important to note that plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film wrap cannot be recycled through the Blue Cart Program but can be recycled at grocery stores or other specialized locations. Other non-recyclable plastics include polystyrene or Styrofoam (#6 plastics), plastic shopping bags, plastic food wrap, dry-cleaning bags, and plastic newspaper sleeves.
It is crucial for Chicago residents to properly sort their recyclables and non-recyclables to ensure that recyclable materials are not contaminated and can be effectively recycled. The City of Chicago provides resources and guidelines to help residents navigate the recycling process and reduce their environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicago's Blue Cart Program does not accept #6 Plastics (polystyrene or Styrofoam), plastic shopping bags, plastic food wrap, plastic cutlery and straws, plastic newspaper sleeves, plastic gift cards and hotel keys, plastic #1-5, and plastic #7.
Aside from plastics, the Blue Cart Program does not accept old household glassware, greasy pizza boxes or other soiled cardboard, hardcover books, razors, photographs, gift bows, metal or plastic hangers, paint cans, containers for toxic substances, prescription pill containers, cellphones, batteries, lightbulbs, old clothing, carpeting, and bubble wrap.
Plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film wrap can be recycled at grocery stores. For other types of plastics, visit www.earth911.com to use their recycling finder.
