Recycling Questions & Answers

Do recyclable items need to be clean?

Yes, please clean the tin, aluminum, glass, and plastic containers you bring to the Recycling Depots. If bits of food or sweet liquids remain in the containers, they may attract rats or bees, and pose a health and safety threat for both workers and residents who use the facility.

Why are only some plastic containers recyclable?

Plastics are made from a variety of resin types, and not all are currently recycled in our region—even though they often bear the recycling symbol.

To add to the confusion, the numbers on the containers, such as #1 PET or #2 HDPE, identify the type of resin used, not the way the plastic was made. Thus, all containers marked with a particular number are not necessarily able to be recycled together.

For example, that’s why #2 HDPE wide mouth containers are not recyclable with #2 narrow-mouth containers—they are not made the same way. And currently, there isn’t a market for the wide-mouth type of #2 plastic.

Why are only some types of fibers recyclable?

Fiber products include office paper, cardboard, boxboard, whiteboard, newspaper, and coated papers used in magazines. The types and quality of fibers and the additives and coatings used in these items vary, making it difficult—if not impossible—to recycle them together.

Fibers that are recyclable must be sorted according to industry and technology requirements, which may change as technology changes.

Some items are not currently recyclable in our region because of technological limitations or contamination from the way the product was used. These include whiteboard, paper beverage or six-pack holders, and pizza boxes.

Why do sorting requirements sometimes change?

As the technology used in the recycling industry changes, the way materials need to be sorted changes. When this occurs, the CVSWMD will need to alter its sorting requirements at the Recycling Depots.