[Chat] Fwd: Re: Baltimore City Frequently Asked Questions:Plastic recycling
Stephen J Gewirtz
gewirtz at bellatlantic.net
Tue Jan 15 17:19:59 EST 2008
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:william.schlegel at us.army.mil]
> *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:gewirtz at bellatlantic.net>
>
> *To:* The Charles Village Chat List <mailto:Chat at charlesvillage.info>
> ; Charles Village Discussion List <mailto:Discussion at charlesvillage.info>
>
> *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: webmaster at baltimorecity.gov
> <mailto:webmaster at baltimorecity.gov>. 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: mike.karr at baltimorecity.gov <mailto:mike.karr at baltimorecity.gov>
>
> Web: http://www.baltimorecity.gov
>
> **** IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL: For ALL website update requests,
> please email to site.updates at baltimorecity.gov
> <mailto:site.updates at baltimorecity.gov> or your update will NOT be
> posted. Thank you for your cooperation. ****
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> From: Stephen Gewirtz [mailto:gewirtz at bellatlantic.net]
>
> Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 5:03 PM
>
> To: Webmaster, COB
>
> Subject: Baltimore City Frequestly Asked Questions
>
> User: Stephen Gewirtz, mailto:gewirtz at bellatlantic.net
>
> 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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