Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Why do most plastic bottles have a recycling symbol on them if they can't be recycled?

Are the plastic bottles I bring in REALLY being recycled?

Why do some Drop-Off/claim Center's not accept even the #1 and #2 plastic bottles?

Why can't I recycle all plastics?

Why is each community's collection program different?

Plastics Bottles Recycling Q & A

Q: Why can't I recycle all plastic bottles?
A: Just as with different types of carton, all plastic bottles could be recycled if there were a single process. The different types of plastic bottles are made into different product, based on it's category. There are some problems with plastics recycling that limit the market for some types.

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Q: Why do most plastic bottles have a recycling symbol on them if they can't be recycled?
A: Good question. The symbol is meant to indicate the type of plastic, not its recyclability.

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Q: Are the plastic bottles I bring in REALLY being recycled?
A: Yes, if you redeam the plastic bottles for cash, it will be recycled. Non-recyclable plastic can not be redeamed for cash and if you leave at the drop-off/claim center will be land-filled and will have to be paid for. the cost of disposing of your non-recycleable plastics . So, please don't try to "slip it in" on your Drop-off/claim center. Please bring only acceptable plastic bottles to the drop-off/claim centers.

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Q: Why do some Drop-Off/claim Center's not accept even the #1 and #2 plastic bottles?
A: Because their is so much space taken up just by air that the bins fill up very fast and hauling frequency and cost is greater than with other materials. Both Safeway and King Soopers will accept your #1 and #2 plastic bottles as will all of the county's curbside programs. And no matter where you recycle them, remember to step on them to remove air and decrease the environmental impact from so much hauling.

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Q: Why is each Community's collection program different?
A:Curbside recycling pick-ups can be handled in a variety of ways. In many communities the city has chosen to make recycling a city wide service available to everyone. They may do this by contracting with one or more haulers to provide the pick-up or the city itself may provide this service to everyone.
In other communities curbside recycling pick-up may be available through independent trash haulers. Many trash haulers now have a separate fleet of trucks to pick-up recyclables that are then hauled to a processing facility. In these communities the service needs to be arranged by each individual resident. This of course takes both awareness and initiative on the resident's part.
Because different companies or entities do the hauling of recyclables, different items get picked up. What they pick up depends on what their trucks are equipped to handle, what the processing facility they transport to can handle and how aggressive they are in their waste reduction efforts.

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The Problem with Plastic bottles Recycling

When glass, paper and cans are recycled, they become similar products which can be used and recycled over and over again.

With plastics recycling, however, there is usually only a single re-use. Most bottles and jugs don't become food and beverage containers again. For example, pop bottles might become carpet or stuffing for sleeping bags. Milk jugs are often made into plastic lumber, recycling bins, and toys.

A recent development has been the bottles-to-bottles recycling of "regenerated" pop bottles. Though it is technologically possible to make a 100% recycled bottle, there are serious economic questions. Also, some critics claim that the environmental impact of the regeneration process is quite high in terms of energy use and hazardous by-products.

Currently only about 3.5% of all plastics generated is recycled compared to 34% of paper, 22% of glass and 30% of metals. At this time, plastics recycling only minimally reduces the amount of virgin resources used to make plastics. Recycling papers, glass and metal, materials that are easily recycled more than once, saves far more energy and resources than are saved with plastics recycling.

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