Many people understand that their actions affect the planet. Becoming more eco-friendly doesn’t have to be tedious or time-consuming. Something as simple as plastic recycling can help reduce your carbon footprint and minimize waste at home. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your recycling efforts.

Do

Rinse plastic recycling items.

If you’re recycling plastic food containers or bottles, make sure to clean them before putting them in the recycling bin. Food is compostable, but not recyclable. While a little leftover residue may not seem like a big deal, it is considered contamination and will interfere with the plastic recycling process. 

Keep the caps on.

Before tossing plastic bottles in the recycle bin, remember to check to make sure the cap is securely on. In the past, people were encouraged to remove the caps before recycling because caps and bottles are made from different plastics. Now, plastic recycling technology is more advanced. If the cap falls off, though, it can mess with the sorting process, as the caps alone are not recyclable.

Don’t

Include plastic grocery bags.

Don’t throw your recycled waste in a plastic bag since plastic bags are not recyclable, which complicates the sorting process at the recycling plant. Instead, items should be dumped directly into the recycle bins.

Assume all plastic is recyclable.

Just because it’s plastic, doesn’t mean it’s recyclable. For instance, bottles that contain toxic chemicals, like oil, paint, and anti-freeze jugs, should go in the trash. If you’re new to plastic recycling, take the time to find out how your local recycling center categorizes what is and is not disposable. You can also learn how to identify what categorization symbols mean to help you determine whether they should be recycled.

Freedom From Waste serves Farmington, MO, with professional waste management and trash collection services. Whether you’re looking for a recycling center, want to schedule recycling pick-up, or want to learn more about plastic recycling, visit their website or call (573) 747-0550.