Plastic Recycling
Cattaraugus County Department of Public Works presents: Sustainable Materials Management (Based on Local Law 10-2019)
Plastic is a global-scale problem
In the United States alone, 37 million tons of plastic were generated in 2021. Less than 9% of this plastic waste was recycled nationwide. In New York State, markets for all varieties of plastic are in the negative. The community mindset of Cattaraugus County and the taxpayer is changing to one centered around sustainability.
Types of Plastic
There are seven (7) categories of plastics, each with different chemical compositions and different values. Depending on the category, different process and levels of effort are required for effective recycling. Not all plastic can be easily recycled. Primary plastic types with market value include: #1 (PET – Polyethylene terephthalate; example: clear water bottles) and #2 (HDPE – High density polyethylene; example: opaque milk jugs and detergent bottles).
What is contamination?
Examples include organic waste (food and liquid residue), chemical waste (motor oil, gasoline, engine coolant, paint), paper waste (labels on containers), and plastic material that does not have the proper recycling label (toys, totes, #3 - #7 plastics).
Sustainability - what can you do?
Only clean #1 and #2 plastic. Avoid contamination when recycling. Examples of contamination include plastics with food or chemical waste or residue and plastics without a recycling label stating #1 or #2. Did you know? Used dishwater can be utilized to clean your plastic, which helps conserve resources. Cattaraugus County Refuse Division plastic collection is limited to clean PET and DHPE (#1s and #2s). This is the most sustainable way to produce a commodity with market value, without wasting resources on material without value.
Follow “POCKET” – Sustainability is the goal
Purchase fewer plastic products and seek alternative packaging. Only clean #1 and #2 plastic for recycling. Conserve water (ex.: used dishwater to wash plastics). Keep contamination out of plastic recycling. Educate others about sustainability and recycling. Tell your leadership to promote legislation that drives manufacturing to reduce/eliminate plastic packaging and increase the use of recycled material in products.
References and Contact Information
Sources - Osborne, Margaret. “At Least 85 Percent of U.S. Plastic Waste Went to Landfills in 2021.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 9 May 2022, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-us-recycled-just-5-percent-of-its-plastic-in-2021-180980052/. Osmanski, Stephanie. "Here's what those plastic recycling numbers and symbols really mean." Rd.com, Reader's Digest, 12 October 2022, https://www.rd.com/article/what-the-numbers-on-plastic-mean/.
Contact Us
Contact the Refuse Division, Cattaraugus County Department of Public Works (DPW): Mark E. Shaw, Waste Management Coordinator. (716) 938-2486 | MEShaw@cattco.org.
“You do not protect the environment by consuming it.” – Michael Shellenberger.
Find more information at cattco.org/public-works/refuse-division