Maya Ellison
Maryland offers a range of recycling services for its residents, with specific guidelines for different types of plastics. For instance, thin plastics like grocery bags and plastic wrappers are not accepted in single-stream recycling due to their potential impact on machinery. However, residents can dispose of these items with regular trash or explore specialized disposal options. Additionally, Maryland Heights schedules several waste disposal events throughout the year, including Bulk Waste, Electronic Recycling, and Paper Shredding events. The state also has dedicated recycling centers like Arundel Recycling, which accepts various plastics, including Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Residents can also recycle plastics with resin identification numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 through curbside collection in Prince George's County.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclable plastic items | PETE Plastics (soda & water bottles, medicine containers), HDPE Plastics (milk/detergent jugs, butter tubs), PVC pipes, shampoo bottles, medical tubing, LDPE Plastics (squeezable condiment bottles), PP Plastics (syrup/ketchup bottles, plastic bottle caps), Polypropylene (PolyPro), Polycarbonate (PC) plastics, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) |
| Non-recyclable plastic items | Grocery bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrappers, thin plastics, polystyrene plastics (Styrofoam products, packing peanuts), composite plastics |
| Other recyclable items | Hazardous waste, yard waste, large natural debris, electronic waste, paper |
| Other non-recyclable items | Plastic items containing other materials, e.g. toys with electronics |
| Additional information | Plastic containers should be rinsed before recycling. Plastic bags can be recycled at various retailers throughout the county. |
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What You'll Learn
- Maryland Heights schedules two bulk waste disposal events, two electronic recycling events, and two paper shredding events annually
- Hazardous waste includes paint, batteries, mechanical oil, and cleaning supplies
- Examples of acceptable plastics include PETE plastics (e.g. soda and water bottles), HDPE plastics (e.g. milk jugs), and PP plastics (e.g. ketchup bottles)
- Arundel Recycling accepts and recycles PC plastics, ABS, and HIPS
- Plastic bags, bubble wrap, and plastic wrappers cannot be recycled in single-stream recycling
Maryland Heights schedules two bulk waste disposal events, two electronic recycling events, and two paper shredding events annually
The City of Maryland Heights provides its residents with a wealth of information on its website about how to recycle and dispose of waste responsibly. The city typically schedules two bulk waste disposal events, two electronic recycling events, and two paper shredding events annually.
The Bulk Waste Disposal Events are an opportunity for residents to dispose of large items that are not usually collected by regular trash collection services. The city also holds Electronic Recycling Events, where residents can safely discard electronic waste, including computers, radios, cameras, VCRs, CD players, and almost anything with a cord or battery. Most items are free to recycle, but some fees apply, which can be paid in cash or by check. Finally, the Paper Shredding Events allow residents to bring the equivalent of five file-sized boxes or bankers boxes of paper to be shredded, with paper clips, staples, and small binder clips included.
Maryland Heights also provides a weekly single-stream recycling collection service for residents of single-family homes. This service accepts clean and dry cardboard, paper, metal, and glass items larger than the size of a business card. However, thin plastics, such as grocery bags, plastic wrappers, and bubble wrap, cannot be processed through single-stream recycling and should be disposed of with regular trash or through specialized disposal options.
For more complex items, such as toys with electronics, residents are advised to use the St. Louis County Recycle Wizard or to research online before disposal. Hazardous waste, including paint, batteries, mechanical oil, and cleaning supplies, should be stored separately from regular waste and taken to one of the two Household Hazardous Waste facilities in St. Louis County by appointment.
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Hazardous waste includes paint, batteries, mechanical oil, and cleaning supplies
Hazardous waste includes materials such as paint, batteries, mechanical oil, and cleaning supplies. Improper disposal of these items can pose a risk to human health and the environment. It is important to know how to correctly handle and dispose of these items.
Paint
In Maryland, PaintCare will soon offer drop-off sites throughout the state for paint recycling and proper disposal. The PaintCare fee, included in the purchase price of each container of new paint, funds all aspects of the paint stewardship program. There is no additional charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare site.
Batteries
Montgomery County, Maryland, provides information on how to recycle and dispose of batteries properly. You can visit the official website of Montgomery County to find out more about how and where to recycle batteries in the county.
Mechanical Oil
Used motor oil can be recycled at specific locations in Maryland. The Maryland Environmental Service provides a list of locations and contact information for used oil recycling. For example, the Garrett Highway Site in Oakland accepts oil filters and used oil during specified days and hours.
Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning supplies, such as leftover or unused products, can be considered hazardous waste. It is important to check with local waste management guidelines or hazardous waste disposal programs for proper disposal instructions. Some communities may have designated drop-off locations or collection events for cleaning supplies and other household hazardous waste.
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Examples of acceptable plastics include PETE plastics (e.g. soda and water bottles), HDPE plastics (e.g. milk jugs), and PP plastics (e.g. ketchup bottles)
When it comes to recycling plastics, it's important to know what types of plastics are acceptable. In Maryland Heights, specific plastic recyclables are accepted provided they meet certain criteria and depending on the kind of plastic used in their manufacturing.
PETE Plastics
Polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PETE or PET, is usually clear in colour. It is commonly used for disposable beverage and food containers and bottles, as well as household cleaning product containers. PETE is picked up by most curbside recycling programs. However, it is important to keep PETE plastics out of the heat, as this can cause harmful chemicals to leach into the liquids inside. The porous surface of PETE also allows bacteria and flavours to accumulate, so it is not recommended to reuse these bottles for other purposes.
HDPE Plastics
High-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is usually opaque in colour and is considered safe, with a low risk of leaching. It is commonly used for milk jugs, detergent and juice bottles, butter tubs, toiletries containers, and grocery bags. HDPE has a high melting point, making it ideal for sterilisation purposes. It is also recyclable and relatively more stable than PETE.
PP Plastics
Polypropylene, or PP plastics, is a type of plastic that is microwave-safe due to its heat-resistant properties. It is commonly used for items such as yogurt cups, medicine and ketchup bottles, kitchenware, and "microwave-safe" plastic containers. PP plastics are considered safe for food and drink use and are FDA-approved for food contact. They are lightweight, flexible, and resistant to breaking, making them ideal for hinges on condiment bottle caps.
It is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable. Thin plastics, such as grocery bags, bubble wrap, and plastic wrappers, cannot be processed in single-stream recycling. Composite items, or those that contain other materials (such as toys with electronics), should be saved for donation or disposed of with regular trash/bulk waste.
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Arundel Recycling accepts and recycles PC plastics, ABS, and HIPS
If you're looking to recycle 1-PETE plastics in Maryland, Arundel Recycling is a good option. They accept and recycle a range of plastics, including PC plastics, as well as ABS and HIPS.
ABS, or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, is a common thermoplastic polymer with a range of applications. It is derived from acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene, and its properties include impact resistance and chemical, fatigue, and heat resistance. ABS is often used in 3D printing and has electrical properties that remain fairly constant over a wide range of frequencies.
HIPS, or High Impact Polystyrene, is another type of plastic that is rigid, impact-resistant, lightweight, and easy to process. It is commonly used in the manufacturing of consumer goods, such as toys and household appliances, and packaging materials like containers and trays. HIPS is not biodegradable, but it can be recycled and reused, making it an important material for reducing waste and conserving resources.
Arundel Recycling specializes in handling these materials, ensuring that they are properly recycled and given new life. By accepting and recycling PC plastics, ABS, and HIPS, Arundel Recycling helps to reduce the environmental impact of these materials and promotes sustainable practices in Maryland.
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Plastic bags, bubble wrap, and plastic wrappers cannot be recycled in single-stream recycling
In Maryland, specific plastic recyclables are accepted, provided they meet certain criteria and depending on the kind of plastic used in their manufacturing. For instance, acceptable plastics include PETE Plastics (code #1), HDPE Plastics (code #2), V Plastics (code #3), LDPE Plastics (code #4), PP Plastics (code #5), and Miscellaneous Plastics (code #7). However, plastic bags, bubble wrap, and plastic wrappers cannot be recycled in single-stream recycling.
Thin plastics, such as grocery bags, plastic wrappers, and bubble wrap, are unable to be processed in single-stream recycling due to their small and pliable nature, which can affect the machinery at recycling facilities. These thin plastics can get stuck in the recycling equipment, causing disruptions and requiring manual intervention. As a rule of thumb, if you can easily poke through plastic items with your fingers, they cannot be recycled in a single-stream process.
Instead of single-stream recycling, plastic bags, bubble wrap, and plastic wrappers can be disposed of through specialized disposal options. Many area grocery stores provide grocery bag disposal, and thousands of retail stores and drop-off centers across the nation accept plastic film packaging for recycling. Composite items, such as code #7 plastics, are more challenging to recycle due to the difficulty in sorting and breaking them down into a reusable form.
While Maryland does not specify local options for recycling plastic bags, bubble wrap, and plastic wrappers, checking with local recycling entities or retail stores is advisable. Some large retailers provide recycling bins for plastic film packaging, which is then collected and recycled into new products. Additionally, some programs have been implemented to collect plastic film packaging at curbside in certain areas.
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Frequently asked questions
PETE plastics are soda and water bottles, and medicine containers.
Maryland also accepts HDPE plastics (milk/detergent jugs, butter tubs), V plastics (PVC pipes, shampoo bottles, medical tubing), LDPE plastics (squeezable condiment bottles), PP plastics (syrup/ketchup bottles, plastic bottle caps), and PC plastics.
Polystyrene plastics (code #6) are not accepted in the single-stream recycling system. This includes Styrofoam cups, plates, trays, and packing peanuts. Thin plastics, such as grocery bags, bubble wrap, and plastic wrappers, are also not accepted as they can affect the machinery at recycling facilities.
You can recycle your plastic waste through curbside collection or by taking it to a local recycling center, such as Arundel Recycling or St. Louis County's Household Hazardous Waste facilities.
Make sure to rinse all food and beverage containers before placing them in your recycling cart for curbside collection. Caps may be placed back on bottles, and you can include resin identification numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. Numbers 4 and 6 must be placed in the trash, but clean and dry plastic bags may be accepted at various retailers throughout the county.
