Living Green 365: Plastic
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency sent this bulletin at 11/16/2011 08:12 AM CST
Abide by the recycling do’s and don’ts. Each recycling hauler has a list of plastics that they will collect as part of their service. Do not put plastics in your recycling bin that are not on the list of accepted plastics. Placing other plastics into your recycling bin adds extra expenses to the program and does not lead to those items being recycled.
Watch for recycling changes. Several recycling haulers in the Twin Cities Metro Area plan to collect additional types of plastic in their curbside program as early as January 2012. You’ll receive more information explaining the program changes soon.
Use drop-off plastic recycling programs. In addition to curbside recycling programs, there are local drop-off locations where you can bring other types of plastic to recycle. Check the program websites and/or call ahead for hours and further information.
Additional Resources
Recycle More Minnesota: A website dedicated to helping Minnesotans increase recycling.
Rethink Recycling: Your go-to guide for waste and recycling in the Twin Cities.
Earth911: Enter your zip code to find recycling events and recycling centers in your area.
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This number is the resin identification code (RIC) and is usually found on the bottom of the container. This number only shows which broad category of plastic a product is made from. The number does not mean that a product is recyclable. Check with your county or city recycling coordinator and/or your recycling hauler to learn what plastics are accepted in your local program.
Most programs do not collect all types of plastic within a RIC – for example you can recycle plastic bottles marked with a #1 or a #2 but you cannot recycle take out containers marked with a #1 or a #2.
Community events and resources
Join us for the webinar Powerful Messages in Unnatural Times - Why Storytelling is the "X" Factor in Harnessing Your Sustainability Efforts with Jeff Leinaweaver, Natural Step Associate and Founder of Global Zen. November 17th from 11:00am - noon (PT).
The 2011 Do it Green! Minnesota Green Gifts Fair provides green gift options and low impact ideas to celebrate the holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year's and everything in between. November 19, Midtown Global Market (Minneapolis).
Join botanist Scott Milburn for an outdoor winter botany class that includes in-depth identification and study of our winter hardy native plants. December 3 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm (Maplewood).
Clean Air, Climate, and Health: A free forum open to the public. Hear from polar explorer Will Steger, Minnesota's own eyewitness to global warming, presenting his vivid, firsthand account. Fresh Energy's J. Drake Hamilton will describe effective clean energy solutions. December 7th in Princeton and December 8th in Grand Rapids.
Quick links to other MPCA resources
Send questions or comments about living green to the address below.
Sincerely,
Colleen Schoenecker and the Living Green Team
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