Chloe Zhang
Plastic recycling is a complex process, and it's important to know what can and can't be recycled in your area. In New Hampshire, the primary source of income from plastic recycling comes from #1 PET containers, such as soda bottles and milk jugs, and #2 HDPE containers, like detergent bottles. These are the most valuable plastics for recycling, whereas plastics #3 through #7 have limited end markets. To recycle plastic bags, films, and wraps, you can take them to a retail location like a local grocery store, which will consolidate the material with other film for reuse. It's important to keep plastic bags out of your curbside recycling bin, as they can contaminate the process. Always check with your local transfer station or recycling facility to learn which recyclables are accepted and how to prepare them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclable commodities | Plastic |
| Primary source of income from plastic recycling | #1 PET and both natural and colored #2 HDPE containers |
| Examples of #1 PET and #2 HDPE containers | Soda bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles |
| Plastic with lower value | Plastic film and black plastic |
| Plastic bags, film, wrap, and flexible packaging | Cannot be recycled with plastic containers but can be recycled through specialized collection programs at retail locations |
| Retailers | Companies making products like composite lumber, bags and film, containers, crates, and pallets |
| Plastic bags recycling | Facilities with specific recycling programs for plastic bags |
| Plastic bags alternative | Paper bags |
| Plastic waste reduction | Reusable bags |
| Contamination prevention | Rinse food and beverage containers |
| Plastic bags recycling locations | Local grocery stores |
| Polystyrene foam (#6 plastic) | Accepted and recycled at the Gilford Transfer Station in New Hampshire |
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What You'll Learn
- Rinse and clean plastic containers before recycling
- Plastic bags can be recycled at retail locations, like grocery stores
- Polystyrene foam can be recycled at the Gilford Transfer Station
- Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at local transfer stations or retailers
- Contact your local transfer station or curbside hauler to learn which recyclables are accepted
Rinse and clean plastic containers before recycling
The New Hampshire Municipal Association identifies plastic as one of the four core recyclable commodities from municipal solid waste. The primary source of income from plastic recycling is from #1 PET containers, which are often associated with soda bottles, milk jugs, and detergent bottles.
To recycle plastic containers, it is important to rinse and clean them before dropping them off at a recycling facility. This is because contaminants can ruin certain recycling processes. While guidelines vary by location, a general rule is to give plastic containers, such as bottles and jars, a quick rinse to remove food residue. This helps to prevent any remaining food or liquid from contaminating other recyclables, such as paper or cardboard, during transport to the recycling facility.
It is not necessary to scrub containers with soap and water or to make them spotless. A quick rinse with dishwater runoff or even just swishing water around inside the container is usually sufficient. For sticky substances, such as yogurt or peanut butter, a more thorough rinse may be needed. It is also important to dry containers completely before recycling, as excess water can interfere with the melting process.
In New Hampshire, specific recycling guidelines may vary by town or community. It is recommended to check with local recycling facilities or curbside haulers to learn which recyclables are accepted and how to prepare them properly. Some communities may have additional services for battery, electronic, tire, or household hazardous waste recycling.
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Plastic bags can be recycled at retail locations, like grocery stores
Plastic bags cannot be recycled through curbside collection programs. However, they can be recycled at retail locations, such as local grocery stores.
In New Hampshire, plastic bags, films, and wraps can be recycled at retail locations like local grocery stores. It is important to note that not all plastic bags are recyclable. For instance, crinkly plastic bags like pre-washed salad bags, chip bags, and cereal box liners are made of different plastics that are less likely to be recycled. Black plastic bags are also harder to recycle and are sometimes omitted from store collection bins.
When recycling plastic bags, ensure that they are clean and dry. Remove any food residue, receipts, stickers, or crumbs from the bags, as these items will contaminate the batch. Additionally, check that the bags have a #2 or #4 plastic symbol on them. If they do not, it is recommended to reuse the bags before eventually throwing them away.
Most plastic bags are made from high-density polyethylene (#2 plastic), while thinner-material bags, such as produce bags, are made from low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic). These types of plastic bags are accepted in the store drop-off bins at most grocery retailers, including national chains like Kroger, Safeway, Target, and Walmart, as well as many smaller retailers. The bins are typically located near the front entrance of the stores.
In addition to grocery stores, there are other options for recycling plastic bags in New Hampshire. For example, the Gilford Transfer Station in New Hampshire has a permitted program to accept and recycle Styrofoam, which is a #6 plastic.
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Polystyrene foam can be recycled at the Gilford Transfer Station
If you're looking to recycle #1 plastic in New Hampshire, you can check with your local transfer station or curbside hauler to learn which recyclables are accepted in your community.
Now, if you specifically want to recycle polystyrene foam, also known as Styrofoam, you can do so at the Gilford Transfer Station in Gilford, New Hampshire. The Gilford Transfer Station has a program in place to accept and recycle polystyrene foam from anywhere in the state.
The Gilford Solid Waste Center (GSWC) is also equipped to handle polystyrene foam recycling. Residents can bring their clean and empty foam materials to the GSWC during normal business hours. Non-residents can drop off their foam at the foam collection bins available 24/7 at the DPW office.
The Town of Gilford has shown a strong commitment to recycling polystyrene foam, also known as #6 plastic. They have partnered with Foam Cycle, LLC, to obtain a foam densifying unit, making them the first hub location in Northern New England for this initiative. This effort aims to reduce polystyrene foam waste in landfills and generate potential revenue for the community.
It's important to note that not all recycling programs accept the same materials, so always check with your local transfer station or recycling guidelines to ensure you're properly informed about what can and cannot be recycled in your community.
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Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at local transfer stations or retailers
If you're looking to recycle #1 PET plastics, such as soda bottles, milk jugs, and detergent bottles, you're in luck—these are the primary source of income from plastic recycling, so they're widely accepted. Check with your local transfer station or curbside hauler to see what recyclables they accept and how to prepare them for recycling. It's important to keep plastic bags and trash bags out of your curbside recycling bin, but many facilities have specific recycling programs for plastic bags, and paper bags are a great alternative.
Now, onto rechargeable batteries. These can be recycled at local transfer stations or retailers. Rechargeable batteries can be found in cordless phones, smartphones, digital cameras, and power tools. They contain valuable materials, such as reactive chemicals and metals, that can be harmful to the environment if thrown away, so it's important to recycle them properly.
In New Hampshire, you can check with your local transfer station to see if they accept rechargeable batteries for recycling. You can also find participating retailers at BatteryPlus or Call2Recycle.org, which is a nonprofit battery recycling program. The Home Depot, for example, has partnered with Call2Recycle, and you can drop off rechargeable batteries weighing up to 11 pounds and under 300 watt hours at their stores. Many local districts also host collection events for residents to drop off batteries, and some battery manufacturers and recycling facilities offer mail-in programs.
When recycling rechargeable batteries, always remember to check the weight and watt-hour limits provided by the recycling program. Additionally, keep in mind that single-use alkaline batteries are generally not accepted at drop-off sites and should be disposed of with your household garbage or through a mail-order recycling kit. Always check with your local recycling guidelines to stay up to date with proper procedures.
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Contact your local transfer station or curbside hauler to learn which recyclables are accepted
If you are unsure about which plastics are accepted for recycling in your area, it is always best to check with your local transfer station or curbside hauler. This is because the recyclables accepted in your community may differ from those accepted in other communities. For example, some transfer stations have strict recycling rules that require different types of recyclables to be sorted.
You can find out which materials are accepted by your local transfer station by contacting them directly. For instance, the Gilford Transfer Station in New Hampshire has a program that accepts and recycles polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) from anywhere in the state. To schedule a drop-off time, you can contact the DPW Director by phone or email. Similarly, you can contact your curbside hauler to find out which recyclables they accept and how to prepare them for recycling.
In addition to contacting your local transfer station or curbside hauler, you can also check online resources, such as your town's website or the EPA website, to learn about commonly accepted recyclables. It is important to note that the types of items accepted in your community may change over time due to fluctuations in supply and demand for recyclables. Therefore, it is recommended to check with your local recycling program periodically to stay up to date with the proper recycling procedures.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some materials, such as plastic bags, film, and wrap, are not typically accepted in curbside recycling bins but can be recycled through specialized collection programs at retail locations, such as local grocery stores. These materials are then consolidated with other films and sold to companies that use them to create new products.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bags can be recycled at specialised collection programs at retail locations, such as local grocery stores.
The primary source of income from plastic recycling in NH comes from #1 PET and #2 HDPE containers, such as soda bottles, milk jugs, and detergent bottles. However, other types of plastic, such as #3 through #7, may have limited end markets for recycling.
It is important to check with your local recycling facility or curbside hauler to see what materials they accept and any specific sorting requirements. Always clean and rinse your recyclables before sending them off to the recycling facility.
The Gilford Transfer Station has a program to accept and recycle polystyrene foam from anywhere in New Hampshire.
