Can I recycle all plastic?

Plastic can be one of the most confusing materials to recycle because there are so many kinds that are not recyclable. Plastic is categorized according to the way it is made, which depends on the heat the plastic reaches, chemicals added during the molding process, and the steps taken in the molding process. These categories are numbered 1-7, with 7 being an "other" category for all the miscellaneous types of plastic that don't fit into the first six categories. Only #1 and #2 plastics are recyclable, because they are the most common type and the most economical.

How do I know what number plastic I have?

Plastics are labeled with a triangle, which contains a number. The number tells you which kind of plastic you have. The triangle is usually on the bottom of containers. Be careful, just because you see a triangle does not mean the plastic is recyclable. The triangle must contain a 1 or a 2.

Typically, #1 plastics are things like soda and water bottles. #2 plastics are things like milk jugs, detergent bottles and shampoo/conditioner bottles. Here are some examples of typical #1 and #2 plastics:

How do I recycle #1 and #2 containers?

Empty and rinse your containers and remove the lids. Lids are usually made of #4 plastic, so cannot be recycled. It's okay to leave the small ring of hard plastic around the neck on. A bale can have a small amount of "contamination" from other plastic in it. When you bring your plastic to the container freights, remove them from plastic bags and put them in the proper container. Starting in April, NVE will have a limited number of recycling bins available. Contact NVE for more information.

Recycling #1 and #2 Plastics: A Success Story

In 2009, NVE began a plastics recycling program for the City of Cordova with a grant from the Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP) and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). The program is sustained by generous shipping donations from Lynden. NVE purchased two freight containers to store #1 and #2 plastics and recycling bins for local businesses. The freight containers were retrofitted to be compatible with city waste trucks. When the containers fill up they are taken to the City baler, compressed, and shipped to the Anchorage Recycling Center.