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Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Why Plastic Bags Are Not Recycled

(Click on the image for more information)

  • The County will no longer accept the plastic bags/film because there is not an end market for the material after it has been collected in a single-stream recycling collection program/process. The plastic bags/film become dirty and contaminated once they are mixed with other recyclables, reducing their quality and value to manufacturers who use and purchase the plastic bags/film for making recycled products such as plastic lumber.
  • The County Recycling Facility uses an automated system that sorts and bales the recyclables. Plastic bags jam and clog the machinery causing costly damages and downtime.  Also, contaminated plastic bags end up as trash when mixed with single-stream recycling and account for litter in our community and landfill.
  • Recycling facility video here!