Dear Nancy:
I do a lot of recycling, but am confused by one area in particular: plastic. There are so many types, I don’t know which kinds to save and which to discard. When I get to the recycling center (Dry Gulch, which is not close to home) I see them collecting only a few types of plastic.
Also, I collected paperboard (such as cereal boxes) a long time and the center refused them. I throw away a lot of these boxes.
My goal is to reduce our family’s garbage output to a small bag, one or two times a week. Wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have to throw away anything?
– Jeannie Sutton
Dear Jeannie:
According to Carlos Rovelo, recycling coordinator for the City of Dallas, the plastic containers for items such as condiments and detergent bottles are not of the same density as those recyclables numbered “1” or “2” (typically milk, water and cola bottles). The various grade of plastic require different temperatures for processing and would require manual separation.
A solution to our plastic confusion may be on the way, however. Equipment is already in use on the East Coast that can separate and process assorted plastic bottles. This equipment accepts only bottle-type containers. Open bowl containers (including yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese and salad bar bowls) are still non-recyclable.
At Dry Gulch, you can recycle milk, water and cola bottles marked with a “1” or “2”. Kroger food stores will take any plastic bottle marked “1” or “2”, which includes containers for ketchup, mustard, detergent and other products.
Here are some tips for reducing your plastic trash:
Look for containers marked “1” or “2” and buy larger sizes.
If the right plastic is unavailable, choose glass – it’s easier to recycle.
Choose paper bags over plastic at the grocery store.
Give up your plastic wrap and baggies. Use waxed paper and reusable containers for lunches. Grocery store produce bags, bread wrappers, and reusable containers can be used for storing leftovers and other food items. Foil can be rinsed and recycled with your aluminum.
Take your own refillable containers to the grocery store or deli if you’re picking up salads or bulk items such as dried beans.
Not everyone bothers with recycling paper. But this is what significantly reduced my garbage output. Try visiting United Paper Recycling Co. (300 N. Oakland, near Baylor Hospital), where you can recycle virtually every type of paper.
They’re a lot closer than Dry Gulch and more user-friendly. Two large bins outside are marked “Newspaper” and “Mixed”. You can leave your slicks in the newspapers. Into the “Mixed” bin you can toss computer paper, junk mail, cardboard and chipboard (those cereal and cracker boxes that create lots of garbage volume).
Call United Paper at 744-2932 for more information rate.
Try to recycle all of your glass, aluminum, plastic, paper and tins cans, and create a composite pile for your food and yard waste. You should soon notice a difference in your garbage output.
