Helping companies keep plastic waste out of the environment at @PLASTICS_US. Formerly @AIANational, @dczerowaste, @DCDPW, SPC. Married to @WillRinehart.
Contamination is the biggest threat to the recycling system.
It adds cost, lowers quality, slows the process, and can lead to worker injuries.
Here are 12 things you should never put into your recycling bin, dumpster, or chute 🧵:
I love how much love New Yorkers are giving their sanitation department. Admittedly, DSNY does a bang up job. No matter where you are, it’s an oft-thankless job that’s one of the most dangerous in the US. More of this, everywhere!
Underrated aspect of The Year of New York is how the sanitation department has serious heat. From snow plowing to potholes to cleaning up celebrations in hours. Generational run
People do not realize how elite NYC’s sanitation department is. Doesn’t matter who the Mayor is; they’re consistently ELITE and this city would fall into disarray immediately without them. Shout out @NYCSanitation
Per DSNY - Department-wide email just went out informing Sanitation Workers that Knicks hats are considered compliant with uniform rules for the remainder of this week 🧢
@nick_benson@PRWeekUS@NYC_DOT Y’all do a tremendous job. It’s exciting to see the realm of possible expanding for how city agencies can engage with the people they serve.
I really hope the Europeans who visit during the next two months realize that the United States is full of amazing people, beautiful sites, and genuine regional diversity. We have our faults, but it’s much better than many imagine. Welcome friends.
On metal and glass containers, no need to remove paper labels. They are both recycled at such high temperatures that the paper is burned off when recycled (and the paper label doesn’t compromise how those containers are sorted at recycling facilities before being recycled)
Great questions! If you are unable to fully remove the paper label from the PET clamshell, I would still recycle the PET clamshell. Overall, that ratio of paper contamination to high value PET will still be workable for most plastic recyclers.
Other paper label considerations ⬇️
@CharDreizen If you are unable to fully remove the paper label on the PET clamshell, do you still recycle or trash it?
What other common items with paper labels should be removed?
It always blows my mind that we only recycle 19% of newspaper in DC. The basics?!
Appreciate this persons effort to recycle theirs. Now let’s just push that alllll the way into the bin 😅
How you would recycle these items:
✅ PET clamshell in your recycling (remove the paper label, it contaminates the plastic recycling stream)
❌ Trash the paper tub (paper coated on both sides with polyethylene is too tough for paper recyclers to remove and can’t be processed)