I hope that this provides the definitive answer about why some things
cannot be recycled.
I can buy smaller containers of cat litter in cardboard boxes, but the
cost at Giant would be about 50% higher per pound of cat litter. And I
do not need containers for water or for storing dry goods; when I do
need such a container, then I will have use for an occasional container,
but most containers unfortunately will find their way to landfills.
Let us hope that eventually, containers with a "2" that can be recycled
will be used for cat litter.
Steve.
Simmons, Tonya wrote:
Hi everyone,
Just to add and to provide more info. To keep confusion down, we do
not post all of this detail on the webpage, but I will try to clarify
for those who send e-mails or calls but here is the deal...
Many people ask for clarification about recycling plastic items. The
curbside and drop-off programs accept narrow-necked and screw top
plastic bottles labeled with numbers 1 through 7 ONLY. 1's and 2's
includes many soda and water bottles, milk and juice jugs, and
household cleaner bottles. 3's -- 7's include items like olive oil,
jelly and ketchup bottles. In an attempt to be more environmentally
friendly, many plastics bottles that used to be made of the 3 -- 7 are
now being made of the 1 and 2 plastic; e.g. detergent and cleaner
bottles. Plastics with other numbers or 1 through 7 plastics that are
not bottles (like margarine tubs and yogurt containers) are not
recyclable in this program.
Not to make things even more confusing, but to give some industry
terminology, a yogurt container and plastic bottle both have a 2 on
the bottom and yes, it is the same /family/ of plastics. But the two
forms have been slightly modified to achieve different properties for
strength, fluidity, crack resistance, etc. Even when the plastic
number is the same, the manufacturing processes to create those
qualities make the two containers incompatible. Some plastic
containers, such as milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles, are made
in a process called blow-molding.
Other plastic containers, such as margarine tubs and sour cream
containers are made in a process called injection-molding. When
resins produced by different processes are mixed together,
the resulting product is no longer appropriate for use in either
manufacturing process.
Plastics with a number 1 or 2 on the bottom make up 70 percent of the
market of plastic bottles and are increasing every day. The strength
of this demand makes collection possible. If municipal
programs collected materials without manufacturer demand; the
materials would sit in a warehouse. The manufacturing aspect of the
"cycle" is just as important as the collection part.
I apologize for the confusion. The literature that was mailed could
not be as detailed, however, the website gives more detailed
information, including a Frequently Asked Questions link. You can
access this web at www.baltimorecity.gov
<http://www.baltimorecity.gov/>. Once there scroll down and click the
link for recycling "single stream".
Feel free to contact me if you have any additional concerns.
Tonya
Tonya R. Simmons
Recycling Coordinator
City of Baltimore - Department of Public Works
Bureau of Solid Waste
Abel Wolman Municipal Building, Room 1001
200 Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-396-4511 office
410-370-5231 cell
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* Schlegel, William B CW4 RES USAR USARC
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
*Sent:* Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:19 AM
*To:* I-Neigh - EGLS; I-Neigh -BetterWaverly; I-Neigh CharlesVillage;
I-Neighbors - wavebell; Yahoo - BMOG; Yahoo - GHCC; Yahoo - WIA
*Cc:* Gewirtz - CVCA, Stephen J; Simmons, Tonya; Ukwuoma, Valentina I
*Subject:* Baltimore City Frequently Asked Questions:Plastic recycling
FYI - another plastic item that cannot be recycled.
Steve,
Thanks for sending this entire thread - shows that the city can be
responsive in a timely manner. FYI, Tonya Simmons is the head of the
Recycling Program and can answer future questions about the program.
The limits on items is due to the restrictions set by the folks who
buy the products from the City. I would love to see all plastic
collected. I use my cat litter buckets to carry water and to store
dry goods.
Brad
----- Original Message -----
*From:* Stephen J Gewirtz <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
*To:* The Charles Village Chat List <mailto:Chat@charlesvillage.info>
; Charles Village Discussion List <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
*Sent:* Thursday, January 10, 2008 5:57 PM
*Subject:* [Discussion] Fwd:Re: Baltimore City Frequently Asked
Questions:Plastic recycling
As you will see, I inquired whether the buckets that cat litter comes
in can be recycled. Apparently, the answer is NO. Personally, I can
see no reason that only bottles and jars can be recycled, but
obviously my cat litter buckets will be added to what goes into the
landfills.
Steve.
Ukwuoma, Valentina I wrote:
Dear Mr. Gewirtz:
If it has a narrow/long neck or screw top yes, include it with your
recycling materials, but if it is the wide open type please discard.
Also, as a point of information, please note that we accept plastics
bottles and jars with numbers 1-7 on the bottom. For more information,
please visit our website at www.baltimorecity.gov
<http://www.baltimorecity.gov>.
Thank you for your participation and interest in Baltimore City's
recycling program.
Valentina I. Ukwuoma
Bureau Head
Bureau Of Solid Waste
Department of Public Works
1000 Abel Wolman Mun. Building
200 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
-----Original Message-----
From: Webmaster, COB
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 5:02 PM
To: Ukwuoma, Valentina I
Subject: FW: Baltimore City Frequestly Asked Questions
A constituent has submitted a requested for information or complaint
from the Baltimore City website. The request is the forwarded message
below.
You have received this email because the webmaster has found that your
agency is the closest contact found in our records to address this issue.
If you are not capable of handling this issue, please forward to the
appropriate party. A follow up directly to the constituent is
appreciated otherwise. All correspondence and forwards related to this
issue should Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Thank you for your assistance.
Michael A. Karr
Web Master
Baltimore City Mayor's Office
100 N. Holliday St. Room #339
Baltimore, MD. 21202
Office: 410-361-9126
Moble: 410-977-5312
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Web: http://www.baltimorecity.gov
**** IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL: For ALL website update requests,
please email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Gewirtz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 5:03 PM
To: Webmaster, COB
Subject: Baltimore City Frequestly Asked Questions
User: Stephen Gewirtz, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Categories: Recycling
I get Scoop Away cat litter in a plastic bucket that has a "5" on it.
The bucket has a metal handle. Can the bucket be recycled, and do I
need to remove the handle? Can the handle be recycled? And since the
lid is a sizable piece of "5" plastic, can it be recycled?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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