Four Facts about Plastic Recycling
Are you wondering how to properly recycle the plastic in your home? If you've been piling up your plastic containers, plastic bags, and plastic utensils in hopes to properly recycle them, you are doing the right thing to help the planet. However, the steps to properly recycle plastic are a little bit different than recycling other common materials. As a recycling center in Orlando, we offer many educational resources and materials to help our citizens engage in proper recycling practices. There are a few facts you should know about recycling your plastic in Florida.
Most Stores Accept Plastic Bags
Many superstores, like Target, Walmart, and large grocery chains, will likely have a place set aside for you to recycle your plastic bags. Most of these drop-off recycling bins accept polyethylene film, which is one of the most common plastics you'll find in store bags. Sometimes, your bags will even have markings on them that indicate the type of plastic used, which makes it even easier to know that it's okay for these bins.
Only Some Plastics Can Be Recycled
Before you set off to your local superstore or grocery store, you'll want to check to make sure that the plastics you are taking are acceptable for those bins. Most plastic bags that you'll receive from any store purchase are acceptable, just be sure to remove the receipts first. Other common bags used in household products are also great for these bins. This ranges from bread bags, to Ziploc bags, to produce bags, to food product wrappings. Be sure to keep these in a spot until you build up a stash, and then take them with you to be recycled.
Always Wash and Clean Your Plastics
Many people may not realize this, but if you put a dirty plastic bag in the bin, it will actually contaminate the entire bin of plastics. You'll want to be sure to remove any spills or food residue before you take them for recycling. Plastic recycling is only effective when the plastics are clean and dry, so take the time to perform this first.
Some Plastics Need to Be Thrown Away
Even though plastic recycling bins are placed throughout your community, there are still some plastic materials that are deemed for the waste basket. Frozen food bags, six-pack rings, candy bar wrappers, and cereal box liners are among this list. In order to do your part, we suggest that you limit your purchases that contain these items. This is the best way to save the planet from this plastic that isn't biodegradable or reusable.
These are a few facts that you should know about recycling your plastic so that you can prevent plastic pollution. Plastics will not degrade naturally, which makes them a threat to the environment and many habitats for wildlife. To increase your plastic recycling efforts, discuss the right practices with your recycling center in Orlando. Contact us to hear about how we can help you with your recycling today.