Closing the Loop: Curbside Plastics
Recycling is a crucial part of our everyday lives—and to be able to do our part successfully, we need to know how to recycle correctly. Because not every piece of plastic is the same.
Recycling is a crucial part of our everyday lives—and to be able to do our part successfully, we need to know how to recycle correctly. Because not every piece of plastic is the same.
To put it in perspective, only 9 percent of all curbside recycled plastic is actually recycled.
Two plastics suitable for curbside recycling are polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). These materials, categorized as 1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE) in recycling, are often thought to be 100% recyclable. But, in most cases, they are not—they are often deemed unfit for recycling for many reasons, but the leading cause is usually food contamination (like an unrinsed milk jug, for example.)
And, when it comes to the horticulture industry, PET and HDPE are not common because they can break down quickly and often cannot withstand the heat of a greenhouse. Instead, much more durable plastics like polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) are used. At this time, PP
(recycling symbol 5) and PS (recycling symbol 6) are not curbside recyclable in most municipalities. That’s why our PP and PS recycling program is so important: because it offers consumers and growers the opportunity to contribute to a closed-loop recycling system so these containers can be continuously recycled.
After all, at East Jordan Plastics, we’re out to do the right thing.
It’s why we provide growers with reliable-quality growing containers made from recycled materials. Instead of throwing out containers or keeping them forever, growers can partner with us and get paid to recycle their plastic and help produce more containers.
More than that, though, growers gain a sustainability-focused partner that can help augment the sustainability messaging required by retailers and consumers.
Learn more about how you can make The Sustainable Choice at ejpthesustainablechoice.com
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