Do you know what plastics you can recycle in your curbside recycling bin?
About 25% of what people put in their recycling bins is not recycled and ends up in the landfill, according to the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC).
The new Recycle Plastics Better flyer aims to clear up the confusion.
Recyclespot.org, a program of the MARC Solid Waste Management District, updated the regional recycling guidelines alongside local recycling haulers and sorting facilities.
There are many changes to what plastics can be recycled. Under the old guidelines, plastics with the chasing arrow resin codes 1-7 were accepted. Now, fewer plastics are able to be recycled.
How to recycle plastics
Recyclespot.org has issued a new Recycle Plastics Better flyer for the region. It includes plastics that can be recycled curbside, items that should be taken to a drop-off location for recycling, and plastics that should be trashed.
4 easy ways to recycle better
- Download the Recycle Better and Recycle Plastics Better flyers Keep the free, printable flyers in a handy spot for your whole household to see such as on the fridge or near your recycling area.
- Think through your most-used items You don’t have to memorize all the recycling rules. Focus on your most-used items and make any notes on how to recycle them. If you’ve been putting anything in the wrong bin, tell your household.
- Keep a close eye on plastics Many changes were made to plastic recycling. Until you’re comfortable with the new guidelines, double check plastics before recycling them.
- When in doubt, throw it out Recycling is important, but the saying goes, “when in doubt, throw it out.” It’s recommended to throw away questionable items to help reduce recycling contamination at sorting facilities.
To learn more recycling in the Kansas City metro, visit recyclespot.org.