All Plastic Containers go in the Blue Bag

HRM residents can place ALL PLASTIC CONTAINERS in the blue bag for recycling. No need to check for numbers on the bottom!

WHAT'S IN?
		Plastic bottles, jugs and jars for: Beverages (including milk), shampoo, lotions, cleaners, windshield washer fluid, and other household liquids etc…
		Plastic food tubs, lids and containers for: Yogurt, margarine, sour cream, cottage cheese, cookies, fruit & vegetable trays, salads, plastic clamshells and ice cream etc..
		Plastic Bags/ Wrap: Grocery, bread, produce and frozen vegetable bags, bubble wrap and other plastic film/wrap items etc… Place all bags and wrap in a grocery bag, tie, then place in the blue bag with other recyclables.
WHAT'S OUT?
		Styrofoam (Garbage)
		Non-container plastics: Bottle caps, toys, dvd cases, plastic cutlery, coffee/pop cups and lids, cereal box liners, straws, pipe, packaging that is made of a combination of plastic plus paper, bulky items that do not fit in the blue bag. These items go in the garbage. Why don't we recycle bottle caps?

Why don't we recycle bottle caps?

The most important reason is worker safety.  When caps are left on bottles (which are filled with air), then are driven over by heavy equipment, or compressed in the baler, they basically become projectiles that can cause serious injury to staff at the plant.

The second reason is from a marketing perspective. Most bottle caps have an interior liner at the top which is of a different plastic type than the cap itself. This mix of plastics and the likelihood of contamination from food or beverage residue make the cap less desirable in the mixed plastic market.

As with all our recyclables, our programs try to ensure we obtain the highest market value for our materials.  Another example of this is sorting paper separate and protecting it from the weather in plastic bags.

The third reason is one of practicality. Trying to pick and sort little bottle caps from the processing line from amoung all the other material would be more than challenging and not worth the effort of the extra resources needed to try.

Have you ever wanted to see inside HRM's Recycling or Compost Facilities? Take a virtual tour of HRM's Recycling and Compost Facilities on YouTube to find out what happens when material leaves the curb.