Chloe Zhang
Erie, PA, has a number of options for those looking to recycle plastic and paper products. The city's recycling vendor accepts plastic and paper recyclables that are visible through a clear plastic bag or in a blue bin. Plastic bags can also be recycled at most grocery stores. However, it is important to note that different municipalities within Erie County have varying ordinances and requirements for recycling. For example, in Greene Township, recyclable items must be placed in separate bags or containers designated by the municipality, while in Edinboro, all recycled products can be placed together in one bin at the curb. To ensure proper recycling, it is recommended to check with local guidelines and comply with the specific requirements of your municipality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Erie, PA |
| Plastic recycling | Plastic bags can be recycled at most grocery stores. Recycle #1 and #2 plastic items, which are bottles, jugs, and jars with a screw-top lid. |
| Newspaper recycling | Newspaper, magazines, and office paper can be recycled. |
| Other recyclables | Metal food and beverage cans, cardboard, and paperboard. |
| Non-recyclables | Plastic cups, tubs, toys, and food takeout containers. Envelopes and small pieces of mail are also non-recyclable. |
| Municipal waste management | Erie County previously developed and adopted Municipal Waste Management Plans in 1990 and 1995. Plans are required to be updated every 10 years. An updated plan will be initiated in 2025. |
| Glass recycling | Glass has been phased out of most single-stream recycling programs. Millcreek Township and Harborcreek Township are the only municipalities that offer glass collection in their curbside recycling. |
| Electronics recycling | Electronics, specifically TVs and computers, were banned from landfills. Erie County residents have some options for recycling electronic items, but programs are expensive and specific to certain municipalities. |
| Drop-off locations | Pro Transfer Station and Recovery Center, Waste Management Drop-off |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags can be recycled at most grocery stores
- Only plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 are accepted in curbside bins
- Newspapers must be placed in a clear plastic bag or blue bin
- Greenfield Township mandates that paper products be separated and bundled with string
- Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection events are held by the Erie County Recycling Program
Plastic bags can be recycled at most grocery stores
Recycling procedures in Erie, PA, vary depending on the municipality. For example, in Corry, all paper products, including magazines, newspapers, and cardboard, must be separated and bundled with string, while in Edinboro, all recycled products can be placed together in one bin at the curb. In Greene Township, all recyclable items must be placed in separate bags or containers as designated by the municipality, with blue containers for clear glass, red containers for aluminum, and a green bin for plastics No. 1 and 2. In Greenfield Township, paper products must also be separated and bundled, but all other items can be placed in one bin.
When recycling in Erie, PA, it is important to ensure that all paper products are clean and dry. Newspaper, magazines, and catalogs are accepted, but small pieces of mail and envelopes are not. Only plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 within the recycling symbol are acceptable in curbside bins. This includes bottles, jugs, and jars with a screw-top lid. However, plastic cups and tubs, even if they have recycling number 1 or 2, are not accepted. The City of Erie's recycling vendor only accepts recyclables that are visible through a clear plastic bag or seen in a blue bin.
There are also specific locations in Erie, PA, that accept certain items for recycling. For example, the Erie Pallet Company on E. 12th St. accepts small hand-held propane tanks if the tops are cut off. The Erie Energy Products, Inc. on Irwin Dr. offers recycling for printer cartridges, and the Erie Battery Outlet on Liberty St. accepts batteries. Additionally, Pro Transfer Station and Recovery Center on E. 19th St. provides recycling and trash drop-off services for vehicles over a certain weight.
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Only plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 are accepted in curbside bins
In Erie, PA, only plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 are accepted in curbside bins. These typically include bottles, jugs, and jars with a screw-top lid. Examples include liquid laundry detergent containers, pop, juice, and water bottles, as well as food containers like peanut butter jars.
It is important to note that even if a container meets this criteria, it cannot be recycled if it does not have a number on it. Additionally, if you want to recycle the plastic lid, it must be attached to the container and not loose in the bin or bag. Cups or tubs, even with recycling numbers 1 or 2, are not accepted.
Newspapers can be recycled in Erie, PA. They should be placed with other recyclables in a clear plastic bag or blue bin. It is important to note that shredded paper should be placed in a separate clear bag, as any item smaller than 2 inches will fall through the grates at the recycling facility.
Recycling options and accepted materials can vary depending on the specific municipality within Erie, PA. For example, in Greene Township, all recyclable items must be placed in separate bags or containers, with blue containers for clear glass, red containers for aluminum, and a green bin for plastics No. 1 and 2. On the other hand, in Edinboro, all recycled products can be placed together in one bin at the curb.
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Newspapers must be placed in a clear plastic bag or blue bin
In Erie, PA, recycling is managed by the City of Erie's recycling vendor, which only accepts recyclables that are visible through a clear plastic bag or seen in a blue bin. This is to ensure that the entire bag is not thrown in the trash if the contents are not identifiable.
Newspapers, along with office paper, and magazines, must be placed in a clear plastic bag or blue bin. This is because the City of Erie's recycling vendor needs to be able to see the items to identify them as recyclables. If you are recycling shredded paper, it should be placed in a separate clear bag to other materials. This is because any item smaller than 2 inches will fall through the grates at the recycling facility and end up as garbage.
Junk mail is also accepted, as long as it is larger than 2"x2". Envelopes are not accepted, and no plastic windows.
It is important to recycle properly in Erie, PA, as different municipalities have different ordinances and mandates regarding recycling. For example, in Edinboro, all recycled products can be placed together in one bin at the curb, whereas in Corry, all paper products must be separated and bundled with string. In Greene Township, all recyclable items must be placed in separate bags or containers as designated by the municipality, with blue containers for clear glass, red containers for aluminum, and a green bin for plastics No.1 and No.2. Only plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 are acceptable in curbside bins in Erie County, and all paper must be full-sized, or it will disrupt the recycling process.
Additionally, plastic bags can cause significant issues with the equipment at recycling facilities, jamming up the machines and requiring the entire facility to halt operations so that the plastic film can be removed. Therefore, it is recommended to recycle plastic shopping bags at most grocery stores, rather than placing them in your recycling bin.
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$29.99
Greenfield Township mandates that paper products be separated and bundled with string
Recycling is a complex process that varies from place to place. In Erie, PA, the City of Erie's recycling vendor only accepts recyclables that are visible through a clear plastic bag or seen in a blue bin. If they can't see it, they won't recycle it, and the entire bag will be thrown in the trash. This includes paper products, which must be clean and dry, and can be bundled with tape or twine. Greenfield Township, in particular, mandates that paper products, including magazines, newspapers, and cardboard, must be separated and bundled with string. All other items can be placed in one bin.
In terms of plastics, only plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 within the recycling symbol are acceptable in curbside bins. This typically includes bottles, jugs, and jars with screw-top lids. However, even if a container meets these criteria, it cannot be recycled if it does not have a number on it. If you want to recycle the plastic lid, it must be on the container and not loose in the bin or bag. Plastic bags cannot be recycled in bins or curbside recycling as they cause significant issues with the equipment at recycling facilities. However, most grocery stores will accept plastic bags for recycling.
Other materials that can be recycled in Erie, PA, include metal food and beverage cans, which can be placed in a clear plastic bag or blue bin, and corrugated cardboard and paperboard, which should be flattened to take up less space. Small handheld propane tanks are also recyclable if the tops are cut off. Electronic waste, such as TVs and computers, is banned from disposal in landfills, but there are specific programs for recycling these items, some of which are open to all Erie County residents.
It is important to note that recycling guidelines can change over time, and it is always best to check with local authorities or waste management companies for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, different municipalities within Erie County may have specific ordinances and requirements for recycling, so it is essential to be aware of the rules that apply to your specific location.
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Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection events are held by the Erie County Recycling Program
The Erie County Recycling Program holds Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection events for residents to recycle their hazardous waste and electronics. These events are held at various locations in Erie County, with each event typically serving a different township or borough. The events are open to all Erie County residents, but some may only be open to residents of a specific municipality.
It is important to note that electronics, specifically TVs and computers, are banned from disposal in landfills due to state legislation. This legislation also requires the companies that make the electronics to offer recycling programs. However, this has made it difficult for many residents to find electronics recycling programs, and recycling electronics can be very expensive.
The Erie County Recycling Program provides a list of locations and dates for the Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection events. For example, on March 15, an event was held at the Greene Township Building, while on April 26, an event took place at the Summit Township Building. These events provide an opportunity for residents to recycle their hazardous waste and electronics properly and conveniently.
When attending these events, it is important to follow the guidelines provided by the Erie County Recycling Program. For example, the program specifies that only plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 within the recycling symbol are acceptable in curbside bins. Additionally, all paper should be full-sized, as smaller pieces can disrupt the recycling process. It is also recommended to check with your municipality, as different townships and boroughs have specific requirements for recycling. For example, in Corry, all paper products, including magazines, newspapers, and cardboard, must be separated and bundled with string, while in Edinboro, all recycled products can be placed together in one bin at the curb.
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Frequently asked questions
The City of Erie's recycling vendor accepts #1 and #2 plastic bottles, jugs, and jars with screw-top lids. These should be placed in a clear plastic bag or blue bin and made visible to the collector. Plastic bags can be recycled at most grocery stores.
Newspapers can be placed in a clear plastic bag or blue bin along with other paper products like office paper and magazines.
Metal food and beverage cans, cardboard, and paperboard can be recycled in Erie, PA. Electronics and household hazardous waste can also be recycled at specific events held by the Erie County Recycling Program.
Plastic bags and plastic items other than #1 and #2 plastic bottles, jugs, and jars should be thrown in the trash as they cannot be recycled. Glass has also been phased out of most single-stream recycling programs.
