Got Bottles? Let's Recycle!

Got bottles to recycle? Here are some tips!

Hey it's just a bottle right? No big deal if I don't recycle...

WRONG!

Here is something you should think about before throwing the bottles into the trash can. Sources from the American Chemisty Council.

• Every ton of plastic = 3.8 barrels of oil (42 gallons per barrel, assuming 50% convert to gasoline, so that's about 80 gallons of gasoline.)
• These recycle products can made fabrics, carpets, business suits, etc...
• In most areas, the demand for recycled plastics exceeds the supply. Over 80 perent of the U.S. homes have access to plastic recycling program.
• Plastic recycle business is on the rise. It helps to create more jobs as well.

Messenger bag made from recycled PET http://www.trailspace.com/news/2007/02/19/osprey-launches-recycled-resource-daypacks.html, June 21, 2008

Now we all see the importance on recycling. Here are some tips for recycling plastic. More than 95% of the materials are made from PET and HDPE (Resin Identification Codes 1 and 2). For more information about the Resin Identification Codes, please read my other blog Plastic 101.

These include:

Milk jugs, water bottle, soft drink, juice, beer bottles, shampoo bottles, laundry detergent, household cleaners, cooking oil, peanut butter jar, ketchup bottle etc.

Once you have collected these botles, follow the steps below:

1. Emtpy the content of the bottle.



2. Remove the lid. The lid may not be made from the same plastic.



3. Rinse the bottle throughly.



4. Carefully crush the bottle for more room in the recycle bin.

Easy enough? I thought so!

To find more locations and items to be recycled, please visit Earth911.

Another website provides a list for private and public sector buyers to purchase recycled plastic products. Recycled Products Directory.