 |
 |
 |
|
By weight, plastics comprise approximately seven per cent of the municipal solid waste stream, but because they are often used to make food containers, boxes and other bulky items, they can account for up to 20 per cent of landfills by volume. In Canada, there are over 40 different kinds of plastics. The plastics recycling industry in Alberta has, for the most part, been built up around the recycling of post-industrial plastics -- those generated by thermoplastic (plastics that can be continuously re-molded) manufacturers in the province. These are easy to collect, are uniform in resin type, are generally free from contaminants and are consistent in supply. These same characteristics cannot be guaranteed from post-consumer plastics, making the latter less valuable to recyclers. For more information on plastics, visit the Alberta Plastic Recycling Association web site. What types of plastics are recyclable?Plastics are labelled with a number classification, based on their chemical composition and the means required for recycling. The number classification is usually marked on the plastic container or packaging inside the Mobius Loop, or recycling symbol. The most common plastics accepted by residential recycling programs are:
Plastic beverage containers, milk containers, and used oil containers are recyclable through province-wide recycling programs (see beverage container recycling and oil recycling sections for further details). Opportunities to recycle other plastics varies by community. For the city of Calgary, call your Recycle Line at (403) 277-7770. Private companies also recycle plastics and Styrofoam; note however, these options often charge a fee. Check your Yellow Pages under “recycling” for more information. |
Environment Home | Search | Contact Us | Privacy Statement | Minister's Office Expenses
The user agrees to the terms and conditions set out in the Copyright and Disclaimer statement.
© 2007 Government of Alberta
