Recycling Info

…and recycle

Learn what plastic are collected at your curb. Most recycling programs in Minnesota accept plastic bottles with a neck that are made from PET (#1) or HDPE (#2).  Other products are usually NOT collected by curbside recycling programs – even if they are marked with a #1 or a #2.  Check with your county or city recycling coordinator and/or your recycling hauler to find out what’s find out what you can put in your recycling bin.

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.

The East Side Co-op in Minneapolis accepts all marked plastics #1-#7 on drop-off collection days. The City of Coon Rapids Plastic Drop-off accepts #1-#7 plastics. “Gimmie 5”at Whole Foods program accepts #5 plastic containers (i.e. yogurt tubs, select take-out containers). “It’s in the bag” plastic bag and film recycling program is available in several communities throughout Minnesota. Accepted items include clean and dry (must be dry with all food residue removed) plastic film such as plastic shopping bags, bread bags, cereal bags, dry cleaning bags, shrink wrap, etc. Note: Zipper-type plastic bags are accepted in this program ONLY if the closing mechanism is removed. Plastic bag recycling is available at several retailers including Cub Foods, Lund's and Byerly's, Target, and Kowalski’s Markets.  From Living Green 365 Newsletter