Maya Ellison
The City of Durham offers a range of recycling services for its residents, with the goal of reducing the city's 40% recycling contamination rate. Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars are accepted in curbside recycling bins, while plastic bags and plastic film can be collected at participating grocery stores. The city's recycling contractor, Biffa, sends the majority of plastic to markets and reprocessors within the UK and only exports when there is no viable domestic outlet. Additionally, Durham offers textile recycling and hazardous waste disposal for items such as batteries and fluorescent bulbs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic types | Bottles, tubs, jugs, jars, plastic film, rigid plastics |
| Plastic numbers | #5 (polypropylene) |
| Plastic items not accepted in curbside bins | Plastic bags, plastic trays, clam shell containers, plastic flower pots |
| Plastic items accepted at other locations | Plastic bags, stretchy plastic film, and grocery bags at participating grocery stores; textiles and accessories at City or County waste management facilities or any GreenZone container |
| Plastic recycling process | Sorted into types, baled, sent to reprocessors to be recycled and made into new products |
| Other recyclable materials | Cardboard, glass bottles and jugs, cans, jars, paper, metal tins, foil trays, aerosol, lithium batteries, other household batteries |
| Non-recyclable materials | Food residue, grease, drinking glasses, mirrors, hazardous waste, petroleum products, fluorescent bulbs |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars
Durham residents can recycle plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars. However, it is important to ensure that these items are empty, clean, and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. This means that all food residue and liquid must be removed, as contamination can impact the quality of the recycled material and make it more difficult to process.
Plastic bottles are a common item that can be recycled. This includes water bottles, soda bottles, and detergent bottles. When preparing bottles for recycling, it is important to remove any pumps or triggers, as these cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in the trash. In addition, bottle caps should be screwed on loosely, as this makes it easier for the recycling facility to process them.
Tubs and jugs are also accepted in the recycling program. This includes items such as yogurt tubs, margarine tubs, and milk jugs. Again, it is important to ensure that these items are clean and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. Lids from tubs can be recycled, but they should be placed back on the tub loosely rather than screwed on tightly.
Plastic jars, such as those used for peanut butter or mayonnaise, can be recycled as long as they are empty and free of food residue. Metal lids and caps should be placed in the trash, while plastic lids can be recycled as long as they are larger than 3 inches across.
It is important to note that not all plastic items are accepted for recycling in Durham. Some items, such as plastic bags, Styrofoam, and six-pack rings, cannot be recycled through the curbside program and should be disposed of separately. Additionally, black plastic trays and containers are not recyclable and should be placed in the garbage. By following these guidelines, residents can ensure that they are properly recycling plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars, contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Plastic film and grocery bags
Plastic bags and plastic film are not accepted in the blue recycling bins in Durham, NC. However, you can find a store near you that does accept them for recycling. Bubble wrap and packing bubbles can be recycled with plastic film at grocery stores.
Plastic bags can cause issues in the recycling process. When they enter the facility where sorting takes place, they can get caught in the machinery, causing the line to slow down or stop. They can also damage the machinery. Full plastic bags of materials will be removed from the line and discarded.
Plastic film, on the other hand, can be recycled into tiny plastic pellets, which can then be used to create synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, or they may be recycled directly into another film, pouch, or bag form.
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Rigid plastics
Durham County Council's material recycling contractor, Biffa, sends the majority of plastic it receives for recycling within the UK. However, some materials are exported for recycling through licensed and accredited exporters. This includes some plastic film and small amounts of rigid plastics. These materials are sent to licensed facilities approved by the UK Environment Agency.
The blue-lidded recycling bins and boxes in Durham are collected and sent to Biffa's recycling facility in Washington, Tyne and Wear. Here, the materials are sorted into different types, including plastics. Any waste or contamination is removed, and the materials are then baled and sent on to be reprocessed and recycled.
The majority of materials collected through the kerbside collection scheme are recycled and made into new products. For example, plastic bottles are recycled and used to make new plastic bottles.
Biffa has recently invested in a new recycling plant in Seaham, County Durham, where the majority of plastics from Durham are now processed. This investment supports the Government's proposals for more consistent development of UK infrastructure to improve the recycling of materials within the country.
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Textile recycling
In Durham, NC, there is a drop-off site for clothing or textiles. However, I could not find specific information on textile recycling for this location.
In Durham County Council, UK, there is a focus on reducing the use of single-use plastics and increasing the recycling of materials. While there is no detailed information on textile recycling, there are several initiatives in place to improve the management and recycling of waste, including textiles.
The county's recycling contractor, Biffa, sends most of the plastic it receives to markets and reprocessors within the UK. They aim to export only when there are no viable UK options, and even then, they use licensed and accredited exporters. Biffa has also invested in a new recycling plant in Seaham, County Durham, to process the majority of the county's plastics.
Durham County Council has also adopted a Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Pledge, working with various partners to raise awareness and encourage the prevention and reduction of SUPs. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of recycling metal packaging, which includes aerosol cans, drink cans, and foil trays. Recycling these items saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
To properly recycle textiles and other materials in Durham, residents can refer to online guides and tools like the "Waste Wizard" to determine the appropriate method of disposal for specific items.
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Hazardous waste disposal
The City of Durham categorises certain waste materials as household hazardous waste (HHW). These include old paint, solvents, thinners, oven cleaner, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, lead-acid (car) batteries, and fluorescent bulbs. Improper disposal of these items can adversely affect the environment. Durham County residents can dispose of HHW at the City of Durham's Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located at 2115 E. Club Boulevard, Durham, North Carolina, 27704.
The City of Durham also provides guidelines for recycling, which include bottles, jugs, cans, jars, paper, and cardboard. Cardboard should be flattened and fit inside the blue recycling cart. Only glass bottles and jugs are acceptable, and items with grease and food residue are not allowed. Fluorescent bulbs should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, and plastic bags should not be placed in the recycling cart.
In addition to the city's services, private companies like Clean Management offer hazardous waste disposal services in Durham, North Carolina. They handle various waste types, including hazardous and non-hazardous waste, chemical waste, solid waste, sludge, liquid waste, and gas waste. They also provide transportation and disposal services for odd-sized drums and materials, as well as environmental solutions and spill response. Clean Management specialises in identifying unknown waste types to ensure proper disposal and compliance with regulations. Their services are available across North Carolina and the United States, offering competitive pricing and expertise in the industry.
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