[Vision2020] Recycling

[Andy Boyd]

OK all, I will try to answer some of these questions.

 "The council voted to eliminate some plastics; all plastic bags; aluminum
foil; foil trays, pots and pans; shredded paper; and aseptic packaging
commonly used for juice and broth ...Davis said shredded paper and pots and
pans will still be accepted at the recycling center but not in the
single-stream program.

>From the City Council agenda, plastics code 3-7 will no longer be accepted.
Personally, I think that asking users to eliminate certain plastics from
single-stream will lead to more contamination."

Plastic grocery sacs can still go to Safeway, need to see if WinCo takes
them but I know our local Walmart and Rosauers don't.

The only plastics that will be accepted at the curb and Moscow Recycling
will be plastic bottles and jugs with screw top lids.  This is primarily #1
and #2 plastics with screw type lids.  We will continue to take clean #2
buckets (like kitty litter) and large planter containers for reuse.
However, many of these get thrown away if not collected by patrons for
reuse.  Most of the 3-7 plastics have a limited, or no market.  Many
programs started accepting the larger variety of plastics to ensure they
would receive as many of the marketable plastics as possible (1s and 2s).

We will also continue to take clean foil and trays at Moscow Recycling.

Regarding Aseptic packaging, this includes the soy, almond milk type
containers.  These have layers of foil and plastic in them.  This is why
they do not require refrigeration at the store.  Milk cartons, OJ cartons,
etc. that require refrigeration at the store will continue to be accepted
as they do not have these extra layers of materials.  Aseptic packaging is
recyclable but most Sort Facilities don't sort them into a separate  stream
so they end up at paper mills that can't recycle them.





Saundra Lund v2020 at ssl1.fastmail.fm via
<https://support.google.com/mail/answer/1311182?hl=en&authuser=1> moscow.com

Sep 1, 2018, 9:45 AM (3 days ago)
to rhayes, Moscow

"Maybe it’s the well-recognized phenom of aspirational recycling?  If so,
even though it causes significant problems, it’s a good thing because it’s
an indicator that those people actually care about the environment & more
education seems to work."


Our aspirational or wishful recyclers also add to the cost of the program
as the City is charged a per ton fee for the contaminated portion of the
single stream program.  Now whether this is because an individual wants
very badly to recycle an item or they don't want to pay for extra trash is
up for speculation!!


"Also, as the article Ron shared pointed out, I’m glad China is apparently
*finally* more concerned about pollution even if it does make finding
markets for recyclables more challenging – maybe that challenge will push
progression in packaging R&D."


This is the real solution to the plastic dilemma and other waste products
as well.  Companies need to make there packaging recyclable instead of
marketable.  For example, England places their toothpaste on the shelf
without a box.  In the US a box makes the shelf look better and allows for
more marketing.  Does toothpaste really need a box!! Lots of packaging can
be done away with all together.



"This seems to be a good opportunity to ask:  our single stream curbside
recycling program is apparently going to cut back in some pretty dramatic
ways (we’re still hurting over the glass in this household), at least,
that’s what was discussed at the meeting."


Sorry about the glass but we still take it at MR.



As Ted points out, glass weighs a lot so many companies have made this
switch to reduce costs.

As Ted points out, REDUCE is the most important "R". I have tried to
eliminate most plastics in my purchasing. This is very difficult for some
products, especially those in clam shell containers.


"Force mentioned could be or might be contained in compostable plastic,
which is perhaps better than a* disposable*container?

Read here:  http://www.worldcentric.org/biocompostables/bioplastics

*Compostable Plastics Quick Facts*

   - Generally Freezer safe
   - Depending on resin can handle hot food till 200F.
   - Fully compostable in commercial composting operations
   - Feel and look like plastics for the most part"

Regarding compostable containers.  These are only "better" if they end up
getting composted in a commercial composting operation.  Also, not all
compostable plastics compost well.  There is a high degree of variation.
Further, a compostable container requires more energy, water and oil to
produce than a traditional plastic container, not to mention it takes crop
land out of production for human food production.  Finally, compostable
plastic alternatives are a contaminate if they end up in the plastic
recycling stream.

And be sure to stay away from any single use item!!

I think I hit most of the talking points. Let me know if you have any
further inquiries.

Thanks
Andy Boyd
Research & Development
Latah Sanitation/Moscow Recycling/Clearwater Composting
208 596 0584
andyb at latahsanitation.com
moscowrecycling.com


On Thu, Aug 30, 2018 at 4:41 PM rhayes at frontier.com <rhayes at frontier.com>
wrote:

> I tend to take my recycling to the bins at the center rather than drag the
> green curbside out to the street with my meager offerings. I am careful to
> separate the various materials into the proper categories and deposit them
> accordingly. When I look into the bins at the recycling center, I am
> appalled at the garbage I see in them/  A few weeks ago I saw an inflatable
> swimming pool taking up a good portion of the mixed plastic bin. On
> Wednesday this week I took my recyclables and saw tin in the aluminum bin,
> aluminum in the plastic bin, and a whole lot of just plain trash in a lot
> of the bins.  No wonder the market for recyclables is going downhill. Too
> much containments in the stream. Are people uneducated about what and what
> quality is recyclable, or just too lazy to care?
> Roger
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