Go Green Charleston • Your Local Guide for Sustainable Living, Environmental News, Community Action » Surprising Recyclables

Surprising Recyclables :: Basketball Hoop

Chad Norman — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 04:01:04 +0000

I thought I would end the Surprising Recyclables era (for now) by returning to where it all began – Little Tikes. We have a couple of their toys, and the first one I checked yielded paydirt. Right there on the gray backboard I saw the resin identification code for plastic #2, which means the toy is made from high density polyethylene and therefore recyclable.

That’s great news for greenies like us who want to keep used items out of the landfill. Check your Little Tikes gear before tossing it – you might be able to take it to a Charleston County Recycling drop site. They are pretty good about designing products made from recyclable material, and I think that just rocks.

So, I feel like I’ve learned a lot by writing this column. I’ve learned about resin ID codes, symbol placement, and plastic usage. I’ve learned that sometimes I can identify a plastic by the sound it makes when struck. But most importantly, I’ve learned that so many household items are actually recyclable right here in Charleston County, so there’s no reason to throw away broken and worn-out stuff. If we can all keep thinking about the lifecycle of our belongings and adopt a cradle to cradle mentality, we can get that much closer to a sustainable future.

That’s all of this Surprising Recyclables mess for now, but on the lookout for a roundup post. And I promise to move on to something else!

Previously on Surprising Recyclables:

Surprising Recyclables :: Detergent Scoop

Chad Norman — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 04:01:45 +0000

When I was breaking down an empty detergent box the other day, I stopped to look at the scoop before throwing it out. It was labeled as a #1 plastic, which means it’s recyclable here in the Lowcountry. In fact, it’s RPET, which is already recycled polyethylene terephthalate. Using RPET products supports the market FOR recycled goods, which keeps local recycling programs in business. For example, Charleston County Recycling was able to begin collecting paperboard last February because they found a buyer for it. This vendor bought it because there’s a need for products made from it. And that’s where we come in…we buy those products and create the need. Whew…I’m dizzy.

I have to admit…out of all of the items I’ve features in this series, this one might be the least surprising. But still – how many of these little everyday objects do you find that don’t have one of those magic numbers (#1 and #2) emblazoned in the plastic. I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised since it was a responsibility-focused product from Seventh Generation, but I can’t help it. All this stuff should be recycled…we can do better.

Previously on Surprising Recyclables:

Surprising Recyclables :: Wet Floor Sign

Chad Norman — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:49:05 +0000

I was wandering around Lowe’s the other day with my two boys, and we were doing more playing than shopping. After riding the lawn mowers, discussing the merits of various fountains, and taking a trip through Holiday Decoration Valley, we literally bumped into the “Caution: Wet Floor” sign.

This ubiquitous yellow pyramid can be found in stores and offices from Miami to Seattle…and while commonplace, I bet very few people realize they are made from 100% recyclable plastic #2 (Polyethylene Terephthalate). Cool! So the next time Ron from shipping and receiving plows into one with the forklift, take the splintered remains to a Charleston County Recycling drop site instead of the trash.

The funny thing about this sign is that as soon as it tipped over and hit the ground, I knew it was made from plastic #2. The thump was a dead giveaway. My family and co-workers think I’m crazy, but I really can identify recyclable plastic by the sound it resonates when hit. I think I need to setup some sort of “blind plastic test” to get a true baseline on my abilities. It may be strange, but if it helps me identify and bring awareness to items typically seen as non-recyclable, I’ll take it. After all, that’s what Surprising Recyclables is all about.

Previously on Surprising Recyclables:

Surprising Recyclables :: Cable Bag

Chad Norman — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:01:45 +0000

Plastic product packaging always seems to end up in the trash at my house, typically because it’s made from a non-recyclable plastic. That’s why I was happy to see that the bag from my portable DVD player’s remote control indicated it was made from Polyethylene Terephthalate, or plastic #1. That means it can be dropped right into a blue recycling bin with Mountain Dew bottles and beer cans. So the next time you’re unpacking a new electronic device, be sure to scan all the plastic bags for resin identification codes – they may be recyclable.

I really have been enjoying looking for these odd recyclables. I’ve begun to know what certain plastics sound like when thumped, and where plastic ID codes are placed. I’ve been picking up objects around the house and in stores, looking for that rare reclaimable object. That’s why I was shocked to see that this bag made from plastic #1 – why aren’t all bags made from this material? Sometimes I forget that things other than containers can be made from this stuff, and that’s what Surprising Recyclables is all about.

Previously on Surprising Recyclables:

Surprising Recyclables :: Watering Can

Chad Norman — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:29:35 +0000

The other day I was wandering around the yard with my plastic watering can instead of my hose. I’ve been doing this to conserve water, where as before I would have just been spraying down everything as if I was trying to save the Towering Inferno. When I got back to the garage, I set the can down hard and it bounced…and it sounded familiar. That familiar sound was plastic #2 (High Density Polyethylene), and that meant this watering can was recyclable. So, if it ever gets worn out, I can take it to a Charleston County Recycling drop site to start the reclamation process. Cool!

It goes to show that recyclable materials are all around us, and by keeping a vigilant eye out for them, we can keep more stuff out of the landfill. Had I run this can over in my car, I probably would have just tossed it in the garbage. But now I know the real story, and that’s what “Surprising Recyclables” is all about.

Previously on Surprising Recyclables:

Surprising Recyclables :: Recycling Bin

Chad Norman — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:37:00 +0000

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the standard blue recycling bins are recyclable. Of course they are – they’re made from recycled plastic #2 (High Density Polyethylene). Look closely, and you’ll see the resin identification code, which means you can take yours to any Charleston County Recycling drop site if it wears out. Please don’t leave it curbside, as the guys won’t pick it up – large items like this need to be left at a drop site. This is a great way to keep something big out of the landfill, and reclaim material that can be used to make additional recycling bins.

I found out these were recyclable because one of my bins broke in half. Had I not been writing this recurring column, I may never have checked to see if it was recyclable. I guess being vigilant about my families waste has make me look at everyday objects in a new light – a blue light – And that’s what surprising recyclables is all about.

Previously on Surprising Recyclables:

Surprising Recyclables :: Paint Bucket

Chad Norman — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:08:39 +0000

The ubiquitous 5 gallon white paint bucket…you know you have 1 or 2 in the garage, either crusty with interior latex paint or full of last summer’s pruned mums. I’ve used these buckets for years as gardening tools, yet never thought to look for a resin identification code. Sure enough, it’s a #2 plastic (High Density Polyethylene), and accepted at all Charleston County Recycling drop sites – just don’t forget to remove the metal handle. So if your bucket splits a seam or becomes unneeded, you can keep it out of the landfill.

This is an object I never would have guessed was recyclable. It’s just what the paint comes in, and once the paint is gone it becomes garbage. I’ve always kept a couple around for yard work, but I only ever need one or two – so the rest were goners. And even though I’ve become a recycling ninja around the house, I didn’t even notice it was recyclable until yesterday. Surprise!

Previously on Surprising Recyclables:

Surprising Recyclables :: Target Cart

Chad Norman — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:56:45 +0000

I love surprises. Some day I hope to be surprised to find I’m not the only one with reusable bags in a Target store. Today, I was surprised to see a #2 resin identification code on the handle of my bright red cart. I looked around, and they were everywhere. All the plastic on the cart could be removed and taken to a Charleston County Recycling drop site. Cool.

If you work at a lcoal Target or have an ear with someone who does, ask them how many carts they discard each year, and whether or not they recycle the #2 materials. I know it’s kind of obsessive to advocate the reclamation of material like this, but every little bit helps. That’s what surprising recyclables is all about – imaging a world where most materials can be reclaimed.

Previously on Surprising Recyclables:

Surprising Recyclables :: Milk Crate

Chad Norman — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:44:48 +0000

Over the last couple weeks, I’ve been storing my paperboard packaging containers in a milk crate as research for an upcoming post. When I emptied the crate into my blue bin last night, I noticed that the resin identification code was a #2. That means the crate is made from High Density Polyethylene, and can be recycled here in Charleston! In order to recycle #2 plastics like this, you must take them to a drop site location – the curbside guys will think it’s trash if you put it in your blue bin with your plastic bottles.

But lets face it, who’s going to be recycling a milk crate? This has to be one of the most reusable containers ever produced by humans, but it’s nice knowing they have a place to go when they’re worn out. Happy recycling everyone!

Check out the Surprising Recyclables archives for more.

Surprising Recyclables :: Little Tikes Wagon

Chad Norman — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:55:43 +0000

One side effect of my personal greenification is that I now question everything I use, own, and buy. Did I really need this? Can it be reused? Can it be recycled? Did my weed eater just melt a glacier? It’s really quite nerve racking.

Because of this, I often find myself looking for recyclables that don’t come from the kitchen or bathroom. Today I found one – my kid’s Little Tikes wagon. I caught a glimpse of the resin identification code, and sure enough it was a #2. In fact, most of the parts on this wagon are high density polyethylene and are totally recyclable (except the big green base which is a #4 – someday though.)

A phone call to Charleston County Recycling confirmed that atypical #2 plastics are accepted at most drop site locations, but will not be picked up in our blue curbside bins. This is encouraging though, and I feel as if a new frontier of recycling is in front of me.

So even though our plastic wagon has years of miles ahead of it, it’s nice to know that one day it may be reincarnated into a playground slide or plastic lumber. Happy (surprising) recycling everyone!