Recycling 101

Overview 1.Partners for a Green Hill Recycling Program. 2.What is not recyclable? 3.What happens to recyclable materials?

Recycling in the Parliamentary Precinct Various recycling programs implemented in the Parliamentary Precinct. Partners for a Green Hill implemented a common look and feel Program for the recycling centres to ensure consistency in signage and for what is collected. Early 1990’s Feb 2004

Current Recycling Programs

Other Diversion Programs Batteries Pulverized Paper Organic Composting Construction/Renovation/ Demolition Waste Aluminum Material/Drapes Wood Computers Office Supplies Ink Cartridges Hazardous Waste Florescent tubes

Any plastic container that has a #1,#2, #4 or #5 written on it. Recyclable plastics must be free of food waste.

Ask yourself…..

What do the different numbers on the plastic containers mean? The different numbers represent the type of plastic that the product is made out of.

#1 PETE Polyethylene terephthalate Characteristics Transparent with high gloss; clear or colored; no seams; injection molding nub on bottom or opaque with dull finish. Physical Properties Tough; highly resilient, slick surface; semi-rigid; hard to scratch.

Examples Soft drink bottles Honey bottles Liquor bottles Dish detergent bottles Antacid bottles Cold medicine bottles Peanut butter jars #1 PETE Polyethylene terephthalate

#2 HDPE High density polyethylene Characteristics Translucent or opaque matt finish (not shiny) Physical Properties Slightly waxy to touch; semi-rigid to flexible; does not crack when bent; scratches to some degree.

#2 HDPE High density polyethylene Examples Milk jugs Rubbing alcohol bottle Vinegar bottle Dish detergent bottle Bleach bottle

#4 LDPE Low density polyethylene Can be nearly transparent or opaque: low to high gloss. Physical Properties Smooth surfaces; semi-rigid. #5 PP Polyethylene Characteristics Transparent, translucent, or opaque; clear or colored; can have shiny or low gloss finish. Physical Properties Slightly waxy to touch; flexible; stretches before tearing

#4 LDPE #5 PP Some rigid items such as food storage containers and flexible lids Medical containers Some dairy tubs Bottle caps Some yogurt cups Flexible film bag Dry Cleaning bags Bread bags Produce bags

Metal and tin food containers Aluminum pop cans Metal bottle caps Foil yogurt lids

Juice bottles Food jars Not recyclable Light bulbs Drinking glasses China Window glass

Paper cups must be free of liquid and the lids removed.

Paper Towel Composting Put all paper towels in the designated container. Please do not contaminate paper towel containers by disposing of materials other than paper towels.

Organic Composting What can be composted? Bread and baked goods Fruit and vegetables Tea bags Coffee grounds & filters All food scraps Paper towels and n apkins Meat, bones, fat Egg shells Egg Cartons (cardboard only) Dairy products (cheese etc)

Organic Composting Not Compostable Jam and butter tubs Ketchup & mustard pouches Creamers Cutlery Straws Stir sticks Plastic wrap & bags Latex gloves Recyclables (glass, metal and plastics

All other non- recycable items

Not recyclable – Waste # 3 plastics, such as vinyl # 7 plastics Plastic wrap, film and bags Carbon paper Padded envelopes Waxed cardboard (Frozen food packaging)

Not recyclable - Waste Polystyrene (#6 plastic) Take-out containers Plastic utensils Drinking straws Non cardboard coffee cups and lids Drinking glasses Light bulbs Mirrors Window glass China

Examples of what happens to these recyclables? Newspapers and magazines are recycled into newsprint. Telephone books are used for molded products such as egg cartons.

Examples of what happens to these recyclables? Steel is recycled into steel construction products such as re-bar. Aluminum is recycled into aluminum sheeting for auto trade and general use. Glass bottles and jars (such as juice and wine bottles) are recycled into new glass containers.

Examples of what happens to these recyclables? Plastics can be manufactured into molded products such as pallets, shipping containers and recycling boxes PETE (2-litre soft drink bottles) are recycled into polyester yarn for carpet, clothing or packaging.

Questions? e.asp Lynn Brunet Telephone: Nicole Merkley Telephone: