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Frequently Asked Recycling Questions
What can I do with my cereal boxes, 6 pack
boxes and other such material?
What are plastic "films?" I've seen
the term "films" on several of your new signs
and handouts.
I understand
you don't take plastic bags anymore but what about packaging
material with a #4 on it?
Where
do I recycle my plastic grocery bags?
Can
you recycle plastic lids from #1 and #2 bottles?
Are
biodegradable corn and potato cups recyclable because they
have a #7 or "other" symbol?
I have
to clear out my property for fire mitigation. What can I
do with all of the wood slash?
Why
won't you take my plastic oil bottles? Can I put used motor oil
in my old plastic milk containers, recycle the oil, and then recycle the plastic milk
jug?
Is
it okay to mix my transmision fluid and oil together to
recycle at the recycling facility at the landfill?
Q:
What can I do with my cereal boxes, 6 pack boxes and other
such material?
A: This
material (known as paperboard or chipboard) is actually
recyclable in Summit County! Just break them down as you
would cardboard and place them in with the cardboard at
the recycling centers.
Q: What are
plastic "films?" I've seen the term "films"
on several of your new signs and handouts.
A: Plastic "film" is a term that the plastic industry
and recyclers give plastic bags, wrapping, and packaging.
Most plastics can be divided into two types: containers
and films. Containers include bottles, tubs, and trays (which
we do acccept at the drop-off centers). Films include shopping
bags, Ziploc bags, bubble wrap, packaging materials, Visqueen,
tarps, Saran wrap... to name a few. We are no longer taking
any "films" at the recycling centers, even if
they are marked with the appropriate recycling symbol. Some
films are being accepted by City Market, Wal-Mart, and Safeway.
Please check with these stores to find out their guidelines
for recycling plastic films.
Q: I understand
you don't take plastic bags anymore but what about packaging
material with a #4 on it?
A: Unfortunately, we are no longer taking any kind of bag or
"film" regardless of recycling symbol or number.
Plastic "films" include Ziploc bags, bubble wrap,
packaging, Visqueen and Saran wrap. Please do not put any
kind of plastic bag, packaging, or wrap in any of the bins
at any of the Summit County Recycling Drop-off centers.
You can take your plastic bags and "films" to
City Market or return bags to Wal-Mart and Safeway. Be sure
to check with the recycling guidelines at these stores before
dropping off your plastic bags and films.
Q: Where do
I recycle my plastic grocery bags?
A: Summit
County Recycling no longer accepts plastic bags, wrapping,
or packaging (please see about "films" above)
of any kind. You can take your plastic bags to City Market,
Wal-Mart, or Safeway for proper recycling.
Please note: if you choose
to throw your plastic bags and films into the bins at the
Summit County drop-off centers, they will not only contaminate
the recycling stream and inhibit the recycling process,
they will be thrown into our landfill. If you throw your
bags into the temporary toter at the recycling sites, the
bags and films will also be thrown into our landfill. Please
make sure you sort your bags and films according to our
recycling guidelines.
We always encourage reducing
and reusing before recycling anyway. Therefore we think
the best option is to begin carrying your own canvas bags
to the store- they save resources, money (you get a 5 cent
rebate at most stores) and are stronger and bigger, making
for less trips to and from the car. Call us to find out
where you can purchase one of our bags (668-5703) or go
to Reusable Bags www.reusablebags.com to see a wide selection (and
learn more). Remember to always BRING YOUR OWN BAG!
Q: Can you
recycle plastic lids from #1 and #2 bottles?
A: We get this question all the time. Because the plastic lids
you find on plastic bottles are so small, they usually get
lost when the recyclables are bailed at the recycling center
(MRF
- Materials Recycling Facility at the Keystone landfill).
We ask that you remove lids before recycling plastic containers.
Also, when you leave the lids on plastic bottles the bottles
retain air and have a harder time compacting when bailed.
We don't want random lids flying off bailed plastic bottles
- it makes it dangerous for the recycling techs.
Q: Are biodegradable
corn and potato cups recyclable because they have a #7 or
"other" symbol?
A: This question doesn't matter as much anymore since the recycling
drop-off centers stopped taking #3 - 7 plastics (as of June
1, 2009). However, it is good information to know. Corn,
potato, or any kind of biodegradable plastic is not recyclable.
With corn-plastics quickly increasing in popularity, many
recycling facilities are facing a sticky sorting situation.
Corn-plastics and conventional plastics look a lot alike.
Sometimes the only distinguishing feature of a corn-plastic
is a stamp of “biodegradable” or “compostable”
and the recycling number 7. In fact, it is very easy to
confuse the two if you don’t know otherwise. The main
problem is that #7 includes other plastics that are recyclable.
If you have a large amount of corn-plastics mixed in with
soda bottles and plastic bags, recyclers have to pay big
bucks to sort the materials or face contamination. Number
7 PLA (or compostable) plastics are supposed to be composted
instead of recycled!
Q: I have
to clear out my property for fire mitigation. What can I
do with all of the wood slash?
A: There are many options. You can contact a local tree
removal and chipping service, or you can contact a local
hauler (Timberline, Snowbridge, Waste Management) and ask
them to take the slash to the SCRAP's (970-468-9263 x 0) wood waste and compost area. Clean wood waste (free
from rocks, dirt, and other trash) is much cheaper to recycle
than to throw away. For detailed information on the
Mountain Pine Beetle and considerations, please refer to
the Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force at www.summitpinebeetle.org.
Q: Why won't
you take my plastic oil bottles? Can I put used motor oil
in my old plastic milk containers, recycle the oil, and then recycle the plastic milk
jug?
A:
Plastics are made from petroleum. Any plastic container
that has once contained motor oil (even if it is a #1 or
#2 bottle) can no longer be recycled. Motor oil reaches
into the pores of the plastic and can not be cleaned in
conventional pre-recycling methods. Please reuse your motor
oil containers when possible or invest in a durable container
to transfer your oil from your engine to the recycling center.
Q: Is it okay to
mix my transmision fluid and oil together to recycle at
the recycling facility at the landfill?
A: Yes. You can mix your transmission fluid and
oil together to recycle. Remember you must bring your oil and oil filters to the recycling facility at the landfill now. They are no longer accepted at the drop-off centers. Thank you!
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