More Plastics Can Be Recycled!

What many Larimer County recyclers have been clamoring for has finally happened: Residents can now easily recycle several types of plastics—much more than just bottles and jars, as the old guidelines required.

County officials met recently with representatives of Waste Management Recycle America, the contracted operator of the Larimer County Recycling Center, to discuss the addition to the recycling mix of most plastic containers numbered one through seven. Previously only narrow-necked bottles and jars numbered one or two were acceptable in curbside recycling and at most drop-off sites. Representatives from the Cities of Fort Collins and Loveland, as well as local trash haulers, also attended and provided input at the meeting.

“The county and the Cities of Loveland and Fort Collins have long been working together to divert more materials from the landfill,” said Stephen Gillette, Larimer County Solid Waste director. “This is a great example of how partnerships, including that with Waste Management Recycle America, can help provide the services our customers want.”

Beginning immediately, recycling drop-offs operated by the county and the cities (see www.larimer.org/solidwaste for a list of these sites) will accept the plastics listed below in the “commingled” bins. Loveland residents with trash services provided by the City of Loveland can also add the additional plastics to their curbside commingled bin now.

Most curbside recyclers in the City of Fort Collins or in unincorporated Larimer County will be able to place the additional plastics into their curbside bins, as well. However, because Larimer County has no regulatory authority over trash haulers, and the City of Fort Collins can only change once a year (in November) the list of recyclables to be collected by haulers within city limits, it is currently up to individual trash hauling companies to agree to accept the additional plastics in curbside recycling bins. To be sure of the guidelines, curbside recyclers should contact their trash hauler.

Plastics other than the narrow-necked bottles and jars will be shipped to China where they will be remanufactured into items such as toys and lawn furniture. Bottles and jars are now being shipped to either Alabama or California, where they are made into items such as playground equipment, fencing, and carpeting.

The list below details the recyclable plastics under the new guidelines. It is imperative that all plastic be clean and free of food debris. No containers larger than 2-1/2 gallons are permitted. The numbers referred to below are usually stamped on the bottom of containers and are enclosed in the “chasing arrows” recycling symbol.

Acceptable Plastic Containers

Narrow-necked containers, #1 and #2; caps removed
Any container stamped #3 through #7 (except those listed under “Unacceptable Plastics” below)
Wide-mouth containers stamped #1 through #7 (e.g., butter/cottage cheese tubs, etc.); snap-on lids are okay
Yogurt containers stamped #1 through #7; snap-on lids are okay
Clear clamshells (e.g., sandwich or cookie containers from the deli or bakery), stamped #1 through #7
Personal care/prescription bottles stamped #1 through #7
Pails stamped #1 through #7; snap-on lids are okay
Flower and garden pots stamped #1 through #7
#7 Nalgene bottles

Unacceptable Plastics

Frozen entrée microwave trays
Food trays or party platters even if stamped with #1-#7
Film (e.g., shrink wrap, Saran wrap, etc.)
Plastic bags
Automotive chemical containers including motor oil and anti-freeze bottles
Pesticide containers
Styrofoam containers
Compostable bottles or cups (these will be marked “compostable” by the manufacturer)

Questions? Contact the Larimer County Solid Waste Department (970-498-5760), the City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Department (970-221-6600), or the City of Loveland Solid Waste Division (970-962-2529)

Printable list of acceptable plastics

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