Recycling Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How do I get a blue bin?

  Blue bins are available at the Town Hall for $6.50. You do not need a Town-issued bin for your cans and bottles. Use any durable container – an old laundry basket, bucket, cardboard box or trash can (but label the trash can clearly so the hauler knows it contains recyclables, not trash.)

• What does “#1 plastic” or “#2 plastic” mean?

  Plastic items are labeled with numbered recycling arrows near or on the bottom of most containers and bags. Look on the bottom of a laundry detergent bottle and you will find an embossed “2” within a recycling arrow. We call this a “# 2 plastic.” The numbers within the arrow range from 1 to 7. The plastics industry developed this coding system to identify plastic resins, which have different chemical make-ups and melt at different temperatures. A #1 bottle, such as a soda bottle, is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PETE). A #2 plastic, such as a shampoo bottle, is made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Unfortunately, this numbering system does not take into account the type of manufacturing process used to make the product. How the product was made is an essential determinant for a plastic item’s recyclability. We currently recycle CONTAINERS with the #1 & #2 symbols.

• Why can’t I recycle #2 plastic bags with the cans and bottles?

  The answer lies in the manufacturing process. Plastic film is made by extrusion whereas most plastic bottles are blow molded (typically #1 & #2 plastic containers). Plastic tubs, such as a margarine or yogurt container, are made by injection molding (typically #5 & #6 plastic). These different processes must be recycled separately. At present we are recycling plastic bottles that have been blow molded, most #1 and #2 plastic containers.

• Why don’t we recycle all types of plastic?

  If there were a market for other types of plastic besides #1 and #2 plastic containers, the Town would recycle them. At this point, it is cheaper for plastics manufacturers to purchase the raw material (oil and natural gas) than most post-consumer plastics. You can help create a market for recycled plastics. Buy products packaged in post-consumer recycled plastic. By reading the label you will find shampoos, cleaners, laundry detergents, dish washing liquid, liquid soap, skin care, personal care, and fabric softeners bottles made of recycled plastics. Write to manufacturers of your favorite brands asking them to use post-consumer recycled materials if they don’t already. On the other hand, plastics have a high energy value. All our garbage is burned at the Preston incinerator. The energy derived from the burn is converted into electricity and sold to the electric company. Even though it is more energy saving to recycle, some value is gained from the plastics that aren’t recycled.

• Why can’t I use plastic bags to hold paper for recycling?

  Paper bags can be recycled with the paper contained within. If your paper items are in a plastic bag, the plastic must be removed before the paper can be recycled. If you do not have enough paper bags, you may tie your paper with string or place it in a small cardboard box (no larger than 2’ x 2’ x 1’) that closes.

• How do I dispose of shredded paper?

  Shredded paper can be recycled. Place it in a paper bag. Staple or tape the top closed.

• How do I recycle plastic grocery bags?

  There is a recycling collection container for plastic grocery bags at the transfer station. Stop & Shop also accepts plastic grocery bags for recycling. Plastic grocery bags are recycled into plastic lumber, which the demand for these products continues to grow. Consider keeping a few reusable canvas grocery bags in your car and using them when you shop. Reusable grocery bags are available at the Town Hall for $6 per bag. Call 429-3333.

• We can recycle paperboard milk cartons and drink boxes, why not other types of plastic-coated cardboard, like ice cream boxes or margarine boxes?

  The answer lies with how these products are made. Drink boxes, milk and juice cartons are made out of paper with a thin plastic film on top. The plastic layer contains all the dyes of the label; underneath is clean, bleached cardboard. Frozen dinner entrees, ice cream boxes, butter boxes and other plastic coated cardboard packaging have the dyes applied to the cardboard and a clear plastic seal on top. In order to recycle the paper, the dyes need to be removed (“de-inked”) making it less desirable for the paper manufacturer. Because the paper from cartons and drink boxes is free of dyes, there is no de-inking needed, saving one step in the process.

• Why can’t I recycle pizza boxes?

  You can - but just the box – not leftover pizza. The paper we contribute for recycling will be made into new paper. Food waste mixed in with any recyclable item is considered a contaminant, degrading the quality of the paper. Flatten and turn the pizza box inside out so the recycler can see that it is cardboard free of cheese, pizza slices and oil. If the box is too soiled with grease it can always be composted (with the uneaten slices of pizza).