Ethan Clarke
Tucson, Arizona, has a complex relationship with recycling. The city has been forced to cut its recycling pickup services in half, now only collecting every other week, due to the collapse of the global recycling industry. However, the city is still accepting more types of plastics for recycling, including plastics numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. These numbers indicate the grade of plastic and can be found inside a triangle on plastic items. While Tucson now accepts most plastics, plastic bags, straws, and Styrofoam are not recyclable and must be thrown in the trash.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic numbers recyclable in Tucson | #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 |
| Recyclable items | Plastic bottles, cans, paper, cardboard boxes, plastic bags (at grocery stores), plastic containers, plastic jars |
| Non-recyclable items | Plastic straws, plastic bags (via curbside pickup), Styrofoam, plastic foam, plastic plates, pizza boxes, bubble wrap, medical waste, chemicals, diapers |
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What You'll Learn
#1 (PETE) plastics are recyclable in Tucson
#1 (PETE) plastics are one of the easiest plastics to recycle and are commonly used in plastic packaging for products, such as plastic jars and containers. You will often find this type of plastic used for products like Muscle Milk. The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) implemented a system in 1988 to help recyclers identify different types of plastics through a stamp logo with a number and letters. This system is still used today and helps recyclers identify the grade of plastic and its resin ID code.
When recycling #1 (PETE) plastics in Tucson, it is important to ensure they are empty, clean, and dry. This is a general rule for all recycling in the area. It is also worth noting that plastic straws cannot be recycled and should be avoided if possible.
Tucson Clean and Beautiful, Inc. is a good resource for those looking to recycle in Tucson. They provide a recycling directory for the Tucson and Pima County area, which can be requested for free. They also offer information on companies that accept specific items for recycling, such as plastic bags and plastic pill bottles.
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#2 plastics are recyclable in Tucson
The numbers on plastic items indicate their grade of plastic, or resin ID code. This system was implemented by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) in 1988 to help recyclers identify different types of plastics during sorting. While the recycling logo can be misleading, as theoretically, any plastic can be recycled, some are far more difficult to recycle than others.
In Tucson, #2 plastics are recyclable. The city has a new plastic recycling program as part of its zero-waste efforts. This program includes the collection of plastic types 1 and 2, PET and HDPE, and cardboard. These are collected in a bright orange 22-cubic-yard container, picked up by the city's Environmental Services trucks, and taken to Tank's Speedway Recycling and Landfill. The waste is then baled into 12-ton loads and sent to California to be turned into blocks.
The City of Tucson has also partnered with ByFusion, which will now build these blocks in Tucson. The city has signed a $1 million contract and will pay an additional $2.4 million to build a facility at Los Reales Sustainability Campus, where ByFusion will operate a Micro Diversion Platform. This machine will be used to process hard-to-recycle plastics, numbered 3 through 7, which cannot be placed in the blue bin.
It is important to note that not all plastics are easily recyclable, and contamination can lead to an entire load being sent to a landfill. To avoid this, ensure that all recyclables are empty, clean, and dry, and that food particles, liquids, and other non-recyclable materials are not included in the recycling bin.
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#3 (HDPE) plastics are recyclable in Tucson
In Tucson, plastic items with the number 3 are made from PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride. This type of plastic is difficult to recycle and is considered a major environmental and health threat. It is found in pipes, toys, furniture, and packaging.
The city of Tucson has approved a deal with a private plastic recycling company to handle unrecyclable plastics. ByFusion, the company in question, collects unrecyclable plastics in a bright orange 22-cubic-yard container, which is then picked up by the city's Environmental Services trucks and taken to Tank's Speedway Recycling and Landfill. Tank's then bales the waste into 12-ton loads and ships it to California, where it is turned into blocks.
Tucson has also implemented a new recycling program for crushed glass, and the city plans to use the recycled blocks to build a perimeter wall at the University of Arizona, expand the Sister José Women's Center, build a tack room at Therapeutic Riding of Tucson, and construct new park benches.
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#4 plastics are recyclable in Tucson
Recycling can be a little confusing, especially with plastics. The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) implemented a system in 1988 to allow recyclers to be able to tell the different types of plastics when sorting. The numbers stamped on plastic items are called resin identification codes and indicate the grade of plastic. In Tucson, the city blue bins accept #1, #2, and #5 plastic bottles or containers. #4 plastics are considered hard-to-recycle plastics (HTRP) and need to be placed in Hefty orange bags and dropped off in orange bins. These include items like plastic bags, plastic straws, fast-food drink cups, and heat-resistant glass.
The Hefty company takes #4, #5, #6, and #7 plastics, including Styrofoam. However, they do not accept #3 vinyl or PVC. The city of Tucson used to collect all #1 through #7 containers but now only takes #1, #2, and #5. Small items marked #1 through #7 can be taken by ByFusion and Hefty as they fall through the sorting machines.
It is important to keep in mind that the recycling logo stamp on plastic does not guarantee that an item is easily recyclable or recyclable at all. It is always good to check with your local recycling guidelines. In Tucson, it is recommended to recycle items that are easy and cost-effective, such as soda and soup cans, water bottles, detergent bottles, and cardboard.
Additionally, reusing items before recycling them is a great way to further reduce waste. For example, plastic pill bottles can be reused for storing nails or donated to the Pima Animal Care Center for reuse.
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#5 plastics are recyclable in Tucson
Plastic recycling can be a little confusing, especially with the different types of plastics and their varying recyclability. In Tucson, it is important to learn the recycling rules to avoid contributing to the high rate of contamination.
#5 plastics, also known as PP or Polypropylene, are recyclable in Tucson. This type of plastic is commonly used for clothing, bottles, and tubs. While #5 plastics can be recycled, it is important to ensure they are empty, clean, and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. Any food particles or liquids left in containers can be considered contamination and may lead to the entire load being rejected for recycling.
The City of Tucson provides specific guidelines for recycling, and residents are encouraged to refer to these guidelines to ensure proper disposal of waste. As of July 1st, the city blue bins only accept #1, #2, and #5 plastic bottles or containers. Other types of plastics, such as #3, #4, #6, and #7, should be placed in the designated orange bins for alternative recycling methods.
It is worth noting that the recycling logo stamp on plastic does not always guarantee recyclability. The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) implemented the resin ID code system in 1988 to help identify different types of plastics during sorting. However, the ease of recycling varies among the different grades of plastic. In general, it is recommended to look for products with packaging stamped with #1 or #2, as these are the most easily recyclable.
By following the guidelines provided by the City of Tucson and staying informed about updates, residents can play a crucial role in reducing contamination and promoting sustainable waste management practices in their community.
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Frequently asked questions
The City of Tucson accepts the following plastic numbers for recycling: #1 (PETE) plastics, #2 plastics, #3 (HDPE) plastics, #4 plastics, #5 plastics, #6 plastics, and #7 plastics.
#1 plastics include soda, water, and beer bottles, as well as salad dressing bottles, peanut butter jars, and clear plastic berry containers.
No, plastic bags cannot be recycled through curbside pickup in Tucson as they can gum up the sorting machinery. However, some grocery stores may recycle plastic bags if you return them to the store directly.
Items that cannot be recycled in Tucson include plastic straws, Styrofoam, plastic foam, batteries, fast-food drink cups, heat-resistant glass, and contaminated items such as pizza boxes with food residue.
It is recommended to lightly rinse food containers before placing them in the recycling bin. All recyclables should be placed loosely into the blue barrel, without being flattened, and no sorting is required.
