Quote:
Originally Posted by Carla B
The only thing we use straws for is for a vanilla malted milk for two once a year or so.
Straws are not the only problem. What about all the "clam shell" clear plastic containers that vegetables, fruits, baked goods come in. Just because the recycle sign may be stamped on them doesn't mean they recycle here. If you read the guidelines for No. Sumter Utility District, it looks like only narrow neck plastic containers recycle.
|
I read an article about recycling plastic a bit ago. Clam shells contain two strengths of plastic--stronger for the container and weaker for the hinge. The two cannot be combined in recycling and there is no way to separate the weak hinge from the stronger container. Also, the patten for the recycle symbol, which first came out in the '70s, expired a long time ago, and anyone can put that symbol on anything they like with impunity. Some of the items that have that symbol on them are actually not recyclable.
I can't remember if I put the article up before. It's from The Guardian:
How you're recycling plastic wrong, from coffee cups to toothpaste | Environment | The Guardian