Maya Ellison
Plastic recycling is a confusing topic, with many people unsure about which plastics can be recycled and where. In Portland, the only plastics that should be put in recycling containers are bottles, tubs (6oz or larger), buckets, and jugs. Plastic bags, for example, should not be recycled at the curb but can be returned to stores or dropped off at recycling centers. Other plastic items that can be recycled at home include plastic bottles, jars, round containers, buckets, and nursery pots. Additionally, some retailers, such as New Seasons Market, offer plastic recycling programs where they accept various hard-to-recycle plastic items that may not be accepted in curbside recycling bins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items allowed in recycling bins | Plastic bottles, tubs, buckets, jugs, jars, round containers, buckets, and nursery pots |
| Items not allowed in recycling bins | Plastic bags, plastic-padded mailers, disposable plastic or latex gloves, bottles that have come in contact with hazardous materials, plastic marked as "compostable" or "biodegradable" |
| Additional instructions | Rinse containers before placing them in the bin. They do not need to be perfectly clean but should be free of food residue and dry. |
| Other recyclable materials | Aluminum, tin, and steel food cans, empty aerosol cans, empty and dry metal paint cans, aluminum foil (clean and dry), scrap metal, glass, batteries |
| Recycling programs | New Seasons Market accepts #1 PET plastics, clear plastics, stretchy plastic films, and other hard-to-recycle items |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bottles, tubs, buckets, and jugs are allowed
Plant pots made of rigid plastic with a 4-inch diameter or larger can be recycled, while thin, crinkly plastic pots are not accepted. Plastic buckets are also allowed, but it is important to ensure that all items are empty, dry, and free of food residue before placing them in the recycling bin.
Some other plastic items that can be recycled in Portland include plastic jars, round containers, and nursery pots. Additionally, #1 PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastics can be recycled at New Seasons Market, which partners with K&S and D6 Inc. to turn them into 100% post-consumer plastic containers.
It is important to note that plastic bags, plastic-padded mailers, disposable plastic gloves, and plastic items labelled "compostable" or "biodegradable" should not be placed in the recycling bin.
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Plastic bags are not collected at the curb
Instead, plastic bags should be returned to stores or dropped off at recycling centers, where they are collected separately from other plastics. Some stores, such as New Seasons Market, accept clear plastics and stretchy plastic films, as well as other hard-to-recycle items that are not accepted in curbside recycling bins.
It is important to note that plastic bags are not the only items that cannot be recycled at the curb in Portland. Items such as plastic-padded mailers, disposable plastic or latex gloves, and batteries should also not be placed in the curbside recycling bin. Batteries, for example, can be recycled with glass if they fit into a 1-quart, zip-sealed plastic bag.
When it comes to plastics that can be recycled in Portland, the rule of thumb is to focus on the size and shape of the item. The allowed plastics include bottles, tubs, buckets, and jugs, which are the right shapes to be successfully sorted and are the types of plastic that recycling companies want to buy.
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$16.89
Return plastic containers to New Seasons Market
Returning plastic containers to New Seasons Market is a great way to recycle plastic in Portland. The store has a partnership with K&S and D6 Inc. to recycle your #1 PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastics and turn them into 100% post-consumer plastic containers for their grab-and-go items. This means that when you purchase food from their produce and deli departments, you can be sure that the packaging is made of recycled materials.
To return plastic containers to New Seasons Market, simply bring your clean, #1 PET plastics to the store when you're ready to recycle them. You can also set aside your recyclable plastics and bring them into your local store the next time you shop. It is important to note that this program is for personal and household use only and cannot accept large quantities of recyclable material from businesses or organizations.
New Seasons Market accepts clear plastics, stretchy plastic films, and many other hard-to-recycle items often not accepted in curbside recycling bins. This includes items such as clamshells, which are a type of plastic container with a hinged lid, commonly used for take-out food. They also accept plastic bottles, tubs, buckets, and jugs, which are the allowed plastics in Portland's recycling program.
Remember to always check that your containers are empty and dry before placing them in the recycling bin, and to rinse them so they are free of food residue. By returning plastic containers to New Seasons Market, you can help positively impact the environment by slowing down the disposal of single-use plastics and diverting waste from landfills.
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Ignore the numbers and chasing arrows on plastics
Recycling plastic in Portland can be done at home or by taking plastic items to a recycling centre. However, it is important to note that not all plastic items can be recycled. Plastic bottles, jars, round containers, buckets, and nursery pots can be recycled at home. Plastic bags, on the other hand, cannot be recycled at the curb and must be taken to a store or a recycling centre. Additionally, bottles that have contained hazardous materials, such as motor oil, pesticides, or herbicides, should not be recycled.
When it comes to the numbers and chasing arrows symbols on plastics, it is important to ignore them. These symbols do not indicate whether an item can be recycled or not. The chasing arrows symbol, also known as the recycling symbol, is meant to indicate the type of plastic resin used in the product. It is a way to communicate the resin identification code, or RIC, which helps determine the appropriate management route for plastics. However, it does not mean that the item is recyclable or made from recycled plastic. The numbers 1 and 2, for example, are typically used for hard plastics found in containers and bottles, while items with numbers 3 through 7 are more difficult to recycle.
In Portland, plastic recycling is based on the size and shape of the item rather than the numbers or symbols on the plastic. Only plastic bottles and jars with a neck that are 6 ounces or larger can be recycled. Plant pots that are 4 inches in diameter or larger and made of rigid plastic are also accepted for recycling. Any other plastic that is not shaped like a bottle, round tub, bucket, or jug is not allowed in Portland's recycling program. This includes plastic bags, pallet wrap, bubble wrap, and stretch wrap.
It is important to rinse and dry plastic containers before placing them in the recycling bin. They do not need to be perfectly clean, but they should be free of food residue. Additionally, it is recommended to sort plastics by shape rather than by the numbers or arrows on the packaging. This means including items such as milk jugs, peanut butter jars, shampoo bottles, laundry soap bottles, salsa containers, margarine tubs, cottage cheese containers, and hummus tubs.
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Rinse plastic containers before recycling
In Portland, plastic bottles, jars, round containers, buckets, and nursery pots can be recycled at home. However, it is essential to rinse plastic containers before placing them in the recycling bin. While it is not necessary to scrub or thoroughly clean the containers, ensuring they are free of food residue is crucial. This means that containers should be emptied of any remaining liquids or sticky substances like mayonnaise, mustard, or margarine. Rinsing containers help prevent contamination of other recyclable materials, such as paper, and deter pests like rats and insects.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, rinsing containers before recycling is generally considered environmentally friendly. While rinsing does use additional water, the overall benefits of recycling, such as saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing pollution, outweigh the water usage. It is important to use water efficiently when rinsing, as reckless rinsing can negate the water savings of recycling plastics.
To effectively rinse containers, you can follow these simple steps:
- Save the wash water from your last sinkful of dishes.
- Pour the saved water into the container.
- Put the cap back on the container.
- Shake the container until it is clean and free of residue.
- Alternatively, use a small amount of water and shake the container to remove most of the residue.
- Ensure the containers are dry before placing them in the recycling bin.
By following these steps, you can properly rinse your plastic containers before recycling them, contributing to a greener and more sustainable environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The only plastics that can go in your recycling bin in Portland are bottles, tubs (6oz or larger), buckets, and jugs. Any plastic that is not shaped like these is not allowed.
Plastic bags are recyclable but not at the curb. Take them back to stores or drop them off at recycling centers where they are collected separately from other plastics.
Bottles that have contained cleaning products are ok to recycle. However, bottles that have come into contact with motor oil, pesticides, herbicides, or other hazardous materials should be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility.
No, plastic-padded mailers cannot be recycled.
You can call 1(800)CLEANUP or visit the website for Portland's government to find out more about what can and cannot be recycled in the city.
