Commonly Asked Questions -- Plastic

Q: What type of plastic containers can be recycled?
A: The Stanford Recycling Center accepts the following three categories of plastic: #1 PETE, #2 HDPE clear plastic containers, and #2 HDPE colored plastic containers and #3-7 plastic bottles combined. This means that we will accept anything that is labeled as a #1 or #2 plastic, but we will only take bottles that are labeled plastic #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, not packaging labeled as the same. In addition, we do not recycle #6 expanded polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) which come in the form of blocks or peanuts or take out containers. Look for the number inside three chasing arrows on the bottom of the container and lids. The first piece of information one needs to know in plastics recycling is what type of plastic an item is made of. The original purpose of the number on the plastic containers was to help identify the type of plastic the container is made of. The number does not mean that the item is recyclable. Any unlabeled plastic should be reused or thrown in the garbage.

Please remember to remove plastic lids and place them in the garbage. Rinse and flatten container before putting in the recycling bin. Any unlabeled plastic should be reused or thrown in the garbage.

At this point, there are only markets for plastic bottles marked with the numbers 1 through 7 inside chasing arrows. The rules for recycling plastics are determined by technology and supply and demand economics. Plastic bottles are "blow molded." This means the shape is made by blowing air into a mold, similar to blowing air into a balloon. The tub- or cup-shaped plastic and other plastic packaging are "injection molded," whereby the plastic is "stamped" into its shape. These plastics cool and melt at different temperatures, and therefore are not compatible in the reprocessing stage. Although we have found markets for all plastics #1 PETE and #2 HDPE bottles and packaging, the business that buys our plastics #3-7 does not want the clear take-out trays and other types of plastic packaging because of the fact that they are made in a different way. Other communities may be taking all types of plastics no matter their shape or size, but there is not certainy that everything is being recycled into a new product.

Q: What steps should I take to recycle my plastic bottles?
A: There are three easy steps to recycle plastics. 1) Check the bottom of the container for a number 1-7 (this tells us what kind of plastic it is made of). 2) Empty or rinse bottle. Remove the lid and throw it in the garbage. 3) Place the plastic container in the mixed bottle and can recycling bin on campus or in the correct recycling bin at the drop-off center.

Q: What are the seven types of plastic?
A: There are seven types of consumer plastic or resin. They are identified by a number inside three chasing arrows.

#1 PETE: Polyethylene Terephthalate.

Commonly used in soft drinks, juice, and cough syrup containers and microwave trays.

#2 HDPE: High Density Polyethylene.

Commonly used in milk jugs, detergent and shampoo bottles.

#3 V: Polyvinyl Chloride.

Commonly used in film for meat packaging and some rigid plastic containers.

#4 LDPE: Low Density Polyethylene.

Commonly used in newspaper and grocery bags and butter cups lids.

#5 PP: Polypropylene.

Commonly used in yogurt containers and deli trays.

#6 PS: Polystyrene.

Commonly used in plastic cups and plates and to-go containers.

#7 OTHER: Other mixed resins.

Commonly used in mixed plastic containers or plastic products.

Q: Why is it so important to know which plastics my community collects? Can't I simply throw all plastics with chasing arrows in the bin?
A: Different plastics are made from different materials. For example, if plastics other than PETE #1 plastic are placed in the PETE bin, it will contaminate the PETE plastic, making it hard to melt down and recycle it into new products. To make new PETE containers and other PETE products, we need to make sure we only use clean, recycled PETE.

Q: I have a plastic container with a recycling symbol on the bottom, but you say it's not recyclable. Why?
A: There are seven types of consumer plastic or resin. The number you see on the bottom is an identification code not a recyclability code. The markets for #1 PETE & #2 HDPE Plastic are strong, while the market for the other five types of plastic are weak. We have found the plastic lumber market stable enough to begin collecting plastic bottles 3-7 (excluding polystyrene aka expanded styrofoam).

A quick note on plastics, not all plastics are the same nor can they all be recycled or recycled easily. Something is only recyclable if there is a company out there who is willing to use it to make a new product. If there is no one who will accept the material and make a new product out of it, then it is not recyclable. There may be a company that uses the material to make a new product somewhere in the world (say Southern CA), but the transport costs to get the material to that factory would cost prohibitive therefore the material would be deemed unrecyclable in our area (but not in Southern CA, in this example). With plastics in particular, how the plastic particles are put together (molded or extruded) changes their chemical make up and make them non recyclable in certain applications. Each type of consumer plastic (determined by the number on the number of the bottom of the container) is used in certain applications, that is why we have so many different types of plastics.

Q: Can I recycle plastic bags?
A: Yes, plastic grocery or merchandise bags, dry cleaning bags, and bubble wrap can now be recycled at the Stanford Recycling Drop-Off Center. To be sure this is a successful program, please place only the types of bags requested and remove all receipts, other packaging material, and any food residue. It does not matter if the recycling symbol is not on the bag or if a certain number is inside the chasing arrows on the bag. They can all be placed in the plastic bag bin.

Plastic bags cannot be recycled with rigid containers because they have a different melting point. The plastic bags melt very quickly compared to rigid containers and therefore cannot be used in the same process.

The plastic bags will be mixed with urban wood waste then melted into a new siding product in residential and commercial construction that is resistant to rot. Plastic bags can also be used to make plastic lumber for decking, outdoor furniture, and lawn edging.

It takes a lot of plastic bags to make a bale, so please bring us your plastic bags and bubble wrap! Plastic bags can be reused and most grocery stores have recycling bins near the front door for plastic bags as well. Instead of using a plastic bag, try using durable canvas bags on your next shopping trip!

Q: Can I recycle Styrofoam?
A: Reuse them if you can! Polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam or #6 plastic) packaging materials (peanuts or large blocks) are not accepted in Stanford’s curbside recycling program or recycling drop-off center. Call 1-800-828-2214 to find the location of the nearest packaging store or business that accepts packing peanuts for reuse. The UPS Store collects and reuses packing materials like polystyrene packing peanuts. Call or stop by your local store to find out what materials they accept. To find a store near you, visit http://www.theupsstore.com and click on "locations". If you decide to throw them away, please put the material in a bag so they do not fly around and litter the ground when the garbage can is being emptied. As of January 2009, the Palo Alto Recycling Center no longer accepts Styrofoam for recycling.

Q: Can I recycle my plastic binder or broken plastic cups?
A: The Stanford Recycling Center accepts the following three categories of plastic: #1 PETE, #2 HDPE clear plastic containers, and #2 HDPE colored plastic containers and #3-7 plastic bottles combined. However, we do not recycle #6 expanded polystyrene which come in the form of blocks or peanuts. Any unlabeled plastic container or product cannot be recycled because we do not know what type of plastic it is made of. Many plastic products are made of a combination of plastics which makes them inherently unrecyclable. Also, be aware that plastic products can be made with recycled content in them, but it doesn't mean that they are recyclable. They must have the correct identification code on them.

Q: Can lab plastics be recycled?
A: Yes, certain plastic bottles from labs on campus can be recycled. The plastic recycling rules on campus are as follows - we recycle all forms (bottles, containers, packaging) of plastics #1 PETE and #2 HDPE plastic and we recycle plastics #3-7 in bottle form only. We also recycle plastic bags and film - but you must put that material in the mixed paper bin.

Here are the steps to take to determine if your lab plastics can be recycled in the campus bottle and can recycling bin: First, they have to be a bottle which is defined as a narrow neck and wider bottom. Second, they have to have to be labeled as a plastic numbered between 1 through 7 - look for the three chasing arrows with a number in it. As long as it is a bottle and it is labeled with a #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, then it can be recycled along with other bottles and cans. Please no unlabeled plastics.

Before you recycle your bottles, please be sure that your bottles are truely empty by following the Empty Container Tree found on the EHS website: http://www.stanford.edu/dept/EHS/prod/enviro/lab_bottle_recycling.html

Q: Can pipette trays be recycled?
A: The best way to handle pipette trays is for hte manufacturer to take them back for recycling. There are three companies that we are aware of that do take back their trays: 1) VWR, 2) E&K Scientific, and 3) Rainin. They will only pick up their own product.

We are exploring the possibility of recycling these trays as well. We have found markets for this type of plastic but now we have to determine the logistics of colleciton and delivery.

Q: Can I recycle old photographs and negatives?
A: No, we cannot recycle these materials.

Q: Can aseptic containers be recycled?
A: We are now accepting aseptic containers including juice and milk cartons and soy milk containers along with other glass, aluminum, and plastic container in the bottles and cans bin.

Aseptic containers also known a drink boxes hold primarily beverages such as milk, fruit juice and wine. These containers are made of high quality paper and polyethylene. Some of the drink boxes have a small percentage of aluminum.

Once collected, aseptic boxes are hydropulped to separate paper fibers from plastic and aluminum foil. Mills value the fiber recovered from aseptic packaging because of its strength, length, and brightness. Depending on the markets, the plastic/foil residual can also be recycled into high-end plastic lumber products.
Source: Aseptic Packaging Council www.aseptic.org.

Q: Is the cap of a recyclable plastic bottle also recyclable?
A: Generally the cap is not recyclable. Usually the cap is made of a different type of plastic than the bottle. If the cap is labeled with a 1-7 inside chasing arrows, it can be placed in the beverage container recycling bin. If it is unlabeled then it should be placed in the garbage. It is important to separate the plastic bottle from the lid because if left together the two types of plastics would contaminate each other. The different types of plastics must be separated before the recycling process begins because the seven different types of plastics are incompatible with each other.

Q: What happens to plastic bottles once I remove the cap, rinse, and place in the recycle bin?
A: Collectors empty all of the recycling bins and bring the material back to the Stanford Recycling Center. The center separates the different materials and ships them to processing plants. After we ship them to the market, the plastic bottles are chipped into small flakes, washed, melted and turned into pellets which are sold the plastic bottle manufacturers who make new bottles or other plastic products.

Q: Where do plastic milk jugs go?
A: Plastic milk or juice jugs are generally # 2 HDPE Plastic. Look for a #2 inside chasing arrows on the bottom of the container. Please remove the lid and flatten the container before putting them in the bin labeled #2 HDPE Clear.

Q: What does PETE and HDPE stand for?
A: These names are acronyms for the type of plastic or resin they are made of. PETE stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate. It is commonly used in plastic soda bottles. HDPE stands for High Density Polyethylene. It is commonly used to make milk and juice jugs.

Q: What is PETE Plastic?
A: Confused about recycling plastics? You are not the only one! There are seven types of consumer plastics. Each has certain qualities that manufacturers desire to package their products in. Most plastic containers are identified by a number inside three chasing arrows located on the bottom of the container. Because each plastic has certain characteristics, they must be identified and recycled separately. PETE stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate and is also known as #1 plastic.

PETE
PETE is a commonly recycled household plastic material. It represents approximately 30 percent of the plastic bottle market and is used to package a wide variety of food and beverage products such as soft drinks, juices, edible oils, liquor, and peanut butter.

New Products
PETE is valued for its clarity, toughness, and ability to resist permeation by carbon dioxide. Products made from recycled PETE included carpets, insulating material in garments and sleeping bags (fiberfill), strapping, bottles, containers, scouring pads, auto parts, paint brushes, and geotextiles, such as landfill liners.

Recycling
Recycling PETE is easy. Check the bottom of the container for a number 1 inside 3 chasing arrows. Remove the lid and throw it into the garbage (the lid is made with a different type of plastic). Rinse the container and place in your beverage container recycling bin.

Plastics makes up a growing percentage of U.S. solid waste. Look at the bottom of the container for the plastic identification number. If it is a #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, or #7 put it in your recycling bin so new products can be made with your waste.

Q: What are some of things that #1 PETE Plastic can be made into?
A: Thirty-five percent of the polyester carpet made and sold in the United States contains PETE plastic. It takes five two-liter PETE bottles to make one square foot of polyester carpet. Recycled PETE is used to make T-shirts too. Just five of these bottles yield enough recycled PETE to make an extra large T-Shirt. Your bottle and help keep you warm too! It could be the fiberfill in your ski jacket or sleeping bag. PETE containers can also be made into tennis ball felt, combs, cassette tapes, car bumpers, sails for boats, parts for cars, furniture, and even other bottles. All we have to do now is create a demand for these products!

Q: What types of products are packaged in PETE containers?
A: More and more products are being packaged in plastic containers instead of steel or glass. It is important to pick the product that is packaged in a recyclable container. The following are the types of products that are being packaged in PETE plastic or recycled PETE plastic. Since more and more new products are being packaged in recycled content PETE, this list is changing constantly.

Sports Drinks	Bottled Water
Soft Drinks	Liquor
Fruit Drinks	Tonic Water
Cough Syrup	Mouthwash
Liquid Cleaners	Dishwashing Liquid
Cooking Oils	Salad Dressing
Salsa	Spices
Instant Coffee	Popcorn
Mustard	Ketchup
BBQ Sauce	Mayonnaise
Peanut Butter	Tennis Balls

Shop smart, look for these products in the grocery store and check for the identification code (a one inside three chasing arrows). Once you are done with it you will be able to recycle it instead of throwing it in the garbage.

Q: PETE bottles cannot be recycled back into food and beverage containers. True or False?
A: False, PET bottles can be recycled into food and beverage containers using technologies reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. In 1996, 24 million pounds of recycled PETE were used to manufacture new food and beverage containers.

Q:How many water bottles are recycled and why should we recycle them?
A: An on-the-go society combined with masses of health conscious consumers has turned the single serve bottle of water into a national icon. Now, according to a report released by the California Department of Conservation, billions of these empty “icons” are causing serious environmental problems.

According to the report, more than 1 billion water bottles are winding up in the trash in California each year. That translates into nearly 3 million empty water bottles going to the trash EVERY day and an estimated $26 million in unclaimed California Refund Value (CRV) deposits annually. If recycled, the raw material from those bottles could be used to make 74 million square feet of carpet, 74 million extra large T-shirts, or 16 million sweaters, among other things.

With their popularity increasing and summer right around the corner, single serve water bottles are poised to cause even greater environmental concerns if recycle rates go unchanged. According to the report, only 16% of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water bottles sold in California are being recycled. At that rate, the amount of water bottles thrown in the trash ten years from now would be enough to create a two lane, six-inch deep highway that stretches the enitre coast of California. “What’s most discouraging is that these empty water bottles can be recycled and used for so many things,” said Darryl Young, Director of the California Department of Conservation.

So, what can we do to increase bottle and can recycling? Look for recycling bins at the places you visit. More and more parks, amusement parks, concert halls, gyms, and other places where beverages are consumed away from home have recycling bins for bottles and cans. If you can’t find one, ask about it. The more these places hear from their customers the desire to recycle, the more likely they are to place recycling bins. If all else fails, bring the bottle home and place it in your curbside recycling bin or redeem it yourself at a redemption center (Goodwill Industries/Mollie Stones Market 164 S. California Ave. Palo Alto). For more information, please visit www.bottlesandcans.com

Source: California Resource Recovery Association’s RecycleScene Newsletter June 2004 http://crra.com.

Q:What do I do with all of the packaging I received with my holiday gifts?
a:Reuse them if you can! Polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam or #6 plastic) packaging materials (peanuts or large blocks) are not accepted in Stanford’s recycling program. Our website lists places that accept polystyrene for reuse or recycling http://recycling.stanford.edu/dropoff/other.html. Bubble wrap, air bags, and plastic bags can be recycled in the mixed paper bins on campus or at the Stanford Recycling Drop-Off Center located at 701 Serra Street on campus.