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So there is a huge water shortage in Raleigh to the point that you can be fined $1000 for spraying a garden hose, but we have to rinse stuff out of a tin can so that it can be recycled? I'm sorry, but this makes no sense to me. I can't believe that a little sauce in a tin can is going to cause a problem when they go to melt that can down to recycle it. I know in NY they tell us not to rinse anything out because its a waste of water, and we don't have a shortage of water. We scrape it out and then throw it in the recycle bin. Same with plastic containers. I wonder how many people in Raleigh use a gallon of water to rinse out each can they recycle?
Once you really start thinking about your water consumption, creativity kicks in. I use the water left over in my kids cups to rinse cans & such for recycling. But I never turn on the tap to rinse out recyclables.
I don't think cans and bottles have to be clean to be recycled. I took a tour of a recycling place years ago and I was told-it did not matter. I don't think you have to use up water to make them acceptable-just put them in the bin.
Here is the question: With the extreme drought we are experiencing should we rinse our recycling bottles and cans out and waste water so that we have clean recyclables? I recycle all I can and wish we had a bottle law in this state but that is for another thread. I just can't see wasting water on a waste product. If we had enough water to flush our toilets like we should I would say yes rinse the recyclables but we don't so I will not be wasting water on my garbage. Sorry if that offends anyone but I think common sense is needed sometimes.
I read the article in the N&O and it says NOT to recycle yogurt cups and microwavable plastic dishes? I've been recycling these items for a while now and they do have the recycle symbol printed on them. Am I supposed to stop recycling these items now? Also no pizza boxes? What gives with that?
Honestly I think that if people are going to recycle, the smart thing to do is rinse out everything and flatten up everything. For me, that is common sense though.
Oh I have recycled pizza boxes, just make sure they are flattened and wiped off.
Honestly I think that if people are going to recycle, the smart thing to do is rinse out everything and flatten up everything. For me, that is common sense though.
Oh I have recycled pizza boxes, just make sure they are flattened and wiped off.
Why is it smart to waste one resource (water, which is in extreme short supply) to prepare another resource for recycling (can/bottle, which are not in short supply) when the recycling facility has said that its not necessary to do so? I don't really understand that one. I used to always rinse everything out before I put it in the recycle bin, and I also sorted everything. The recycling facility let the community know (in NY) that neither of these were necessary, and in fact a waste of water and time. So I haven't done so since. I think the "smart" thing is to find out EXACTLY what the local recycling facilities need done in Raleigh, and do that... no more, no less. If they are going to dump everything into one big sorting bin regardless of whether its sorted or not, then don't sort it. If their process burns off any contamination why they are processing the materials, then don't waste water over preparing them for recycling.
Sure it is nice to have clean recycling materials to throw in the bin, but if it isn't required then its not smart, its wasteful. The key is getting an exact list of what has to be done, and this thread seems to have many different opinions on it. Our local recylcing company in NY sent out a very precise list to every household on exactly what needed to be done, which is really very, very helpful... and smart.
Why is it smart to waste one resource (water, which is in extreme short supply) to prepare another resource for recycling (can/bottle, which are not in short supply) when the recycling facility has said that its not necessary to do so? I don't really understand that one. I used to always rinse everything out before I put it in the recycle bin, and I also sorted everything. The recycling facility let the community know (in NY) that neither of these were necessary, and in fact a waste of water and time. So I haven't done so since. I think the "smart" thing is to find out EXACTLY what the local recycling facilities need done in Raleigh, and do that... no more, no less. If they are going to dump everything into one big sorting bin regardless of whether its sorted or not, then don't sort it. If their process burns off any contamination why they are processing the materials, then don't waste water over preparing them for recycling.
Sure it is nice to have clean recycling materials to throw in the bin, but if it isn't required then its not smart, its wasteful. The key is getting an exact list of what has to be done, and this thread seems to have many different opinions on it. Our local recylcing company in NY sent out a very precise list to every household on exactly what needed to be done, which is really very, very helpful... and smart.
I haven't read the recycling rules carefully here. However, I refuse to wash recyclables when I know they are going to get recycled anyway. * I may rinse out something that is particularly dirty, only because it is being stored in my apartment, but by no means am I trying to get it clean.
Regarding yogurt containers and the like: Certain types of plastics are not readibly recyclable. There is a whole coding system to it, often written on the bottom. But I don't know what each number means.
I read the article in the N&O and it says NOT to recycle yogurt cups and microwavable plastic dishes? I've been recycling these items for a while now and they do have the recycle symbol printed on them. Am I supposed to stop recycling these items now? Also no pizza boxes? What gives with that?
I didn't have the time to read this entire thread to see if this has already been posted, but here is a link to the city's website stating what is acceptable for recycling: City of Raleigh | Acceptable Materials for Recycling (http://www.raleighnc.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_306_202_0_43/http%3B/pt03/DIG_Web_Content/category/Resident/Garbage_and_Recycling/Recycling/Cat-1C-20041130-143715-Preparation_of_Recycling.html - broken link). And some examples: City of Raleigh | Examples of Materials Accepted for Curbside Recycling (http://www.raleighnc.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_306_202_0_43/http%3B/pt03/DIG_Web_Content/category/Resident/Garbage_and_Recycling/Recycling/Cat-2CA-2006601-135101-ADDITIONAL_Materials_for.html - broken link)
Quote:
All plastic bottles and soft plastic beverage rings can be recycled in the City's programs. Plastic BOTTLES should be rinsed lightly. To help save space, please crush the bottles, before putting them in the recycling bin. Plastic bottles are the only plastic containers the City collects for recycling. A bottle is defined as having a "neck" that is narrower than its base and usually has a screw on type lid. Items such as plastic yogurt cups, margarine tubs, and food service trays, cannot be recycled through Raleigh's recycling programs. We also cannot accept plastic bottles that previously contained hazardous liquids such as oil, chemicals or pesticides. If the container has the poison symbol on it, please do not place it in the recycling bin.
I had also been throwing yogurt, butter, and sour cream containers in the recycling because the city I am from has always accepted these things. I was appalled to see that Raleigh doesn't have the capacity to recycle these types of plastics. I, for one, use far more of these types of plastic containers than drink bottles, etc. As the area grows, I really think it's time to think about broadening the city's recycling capabilities. Also, I'd much rather recycle all plastics and no paper/carboard if there had to be the tradeoff, since papers/cardboards biodegrade at a much faster rate than any plastic material.
Also, on the website it does say to "lightly rinse" and crush all items. I personally have been reusing rinse water from one item to the next - sure, it doesn't get things clean, but they are still lightly rinsed. Again, another great use for the water you collect from your shower while it is warming up. Great for regular dishes too, since I have to rinse mine before putting them in the dishwasher or they don't always get clean.
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