Plastic Recycle A Hit

The Regional District is calling a new plastics recycling program a hit just four months after its implementation.

In February of this year, the Regional Waste Reduction Office made changes to what could and could not be included in the blue bag recycling program.

Household plastic containers and plastic bags were added to the list of items allowed within the blue bag program. Glass jars and containers were removed.

Regional Waste Manager, Carol Suhan, says during the first three months of 2007, the amount of plastics collected for recycling has more than doubled over the same period last year.

"It's great to see that the amount of plastics has increased so significantly to more than 250 tonnes in the last three months," says Suhan.

While the changes in the blue bag program has resulted in a 16% increase in volume this Spring, Suhan says some people are still confused about what can and can't be recycled, especially when it comes to plastics.

Step One, Look For A Number

• Most plastic items have a triangular recycling symbol with a number in the centre.
  
• If there is no number, the item must go in the garbage.

Step Two, Lucky Number Seven

• Anything numbered one through seven can be rinsed out and put in the blue bag with a few exceptions.
  
• Anything numbered eight or above must go in the garbage.

Step Three, Check For Exceptions

• Motor oil and gasoline containers cannot go in recycling, regardless of their number. They go to an oil collection site.
  
• Household cleaner and pesticide bottles can be recycled, but only if they are empty.
  
• Lids from containers numbered one through seven can be included if they are separated from the container and larger than six inches in diameter. If they are smaller than six inches they should be put in the garbage.
  
• Plastic films, including shopping bags, bubble-wrap and shrink-wrap are recyclable and can be placed in your blue bag.