Packaging & Plastics
Symbols for Plastics
Submitted by Alchemist on Wed, 29/08/2007 - 19:09.This is a list of internationally used symbols to be found on different types of plastics, to help you dispose of or recycle them correctly.
Recycling Pringles Tubes
Submitted by Jo on Tue, 19/02/2008 - 17:13.
Pringles, nice as they are, are packaged in a carton made from 6 materials, including steel, aluminium and PET. Most councils will not accept them for recycling (I couldn't find one that did in the UK in my limited search).
Recycling Polystyrene
Submitted by JohnD on Tue, 11/09/2007 - 10:57.
Save a Cup have already recycled over a billion polystyrene cups. They collect cups using their Beca Bins, usually to be found next to office coffee machines. They do not however recycle expanded polystyrene cups.
Recycling PET
Submitted by Frank on Tue, 11/09/2007 - 10:48.
PET can be recycled by your usual methods – plastics recycling site, council collection etc.
Recycling Tetrapaks
Submitted by Frank on Tue, 11/09/2007 - 12:21.
There is a myth around that Tetrapaks cannot be recycled. In fact they can - in theory - but not many local councils have made provision for recycling them as it is dificult to separate the materials. You can pester them to take advantage of Tetrapak’s own recycling scheme .
Recycling Envelopes
Submitted by Frank on Sun, 16/09/2007 - 09:42.
Many collectors do not accept envelopes with paper waste because of the glue. Glue can clog the remanufacturing process, but some councils take the view that asking householders not to include them will put them off recycling, so they accept them, but it ie best not to include them. Some recyclers do not accept window envelopes, but some can cope with these.
Recycling Cellophane
Submitted by Frank on Sat, 15/09/2007 - 19:19.
Cellophane is made from cellulose and is therefore biodegradable - you can add it to your compost or put with other biodegradable waste, like garden waste.
However: beware! Most packaging that is called or looks like cellophane is in fact polypropylene, which does not biodegrade.
Recycling CDs & DVDs
Submitted by Frank on Sun, 25/03/2007 - 18:06.
Unless you are too embarrassed about that S Club 7 CD, you could try taking them to a second hand record store, or charity shop. If they really are too bad to listen too, you can make bird scarers, mobiles, Christmas decorations, coasters… the list is endless...
Top Tips - Reduce Your Use of Plastics
Submitted by Alchemist on Tue, 11/09/2007 - 11:10.-
Choose goods with less packaging
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Take re-usable bags with you for your shopping (we use an average of 290 plastic bags per year each!)
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Don’t automatically accept a separate bag from every shop – its just free advertising to them anyway
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Before you throw a plastic items away, think what else you could use it for
