Welcome to www.RecycleMyPlastic.com!
Washtenaw County residents are becoming increasingly aware that
recycling their plastic waste is the environmentally preferred method of
disposal over trashing it. However, the process of identifying the
various types of plastic and whether or not they are recyclable in your
community continues to confuse and intimidate. There are 8 common types
of plastic, labeled #1 - #7 & PLA, and while many have recycling
opportunities available, some still are non-recyclable in the
community. This website is intended to help you with plastic
recycling questions so that you may become knowledgeable and
confident about recycling your plastic in Washtenaw County!
Go To:
- **NEW** Washtenaw County Shrink Wrap & Greenhouse Film Recycling Program (includes all HDPE #2 and LDPE #4 plastics)
- 3 Steps to Determine if your Plastic is Recyclable
- Guide to Plastics #1 - #7 & PLA
- Where to Recycle Bottle Caps
- Plastic Recycling FAQs
**NEW!!**
The Washtenaw County Solid Waste Program has partnered up with Mondo Polymer Technologies and Michigan Sea Grant to create the Washtenaw County Shrink-Wrap & Greenhouse Film Recycling Program, which accepts ALL HDPE #2 and LDPE #4 plastics for recycling.
Businesses and interested individuals please click HERE to learn more about this program, including a list of RECYCLING DROP-OFF LOCATIONS.
3 Steps to Determine if your Plastic is Recyclable
1. Identify plastic type. To do this, locate the plastic
identity code (recycling symbol with number inside), present on the bottom
or side.
2. For those plastics that do not feature an
identity code, please view "Commonly Unmarked Plastics." (last
column)
3. Once you've identified the plastic-type, please
view the "Recyclability" column in the "Guide to Plastics" to learn
about recycling options.
Guide to Plastics #1 - #7 & PLA
Please click on any link featured in the table to learn about
recycling opportunities for the corresponding plastic type.
NOTE: All plastic bottles must have their CAPS REMOVED.
Unfortunately, the caps can be a contaminant since they are made from a
different plastic than the bottle itself.
Identity Code |
Abbreviation & Name |
Recyclability |
Some Common Products (Marked/Labeled) |
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Commonly Reused in these Recycled Content Products |
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PET or PETE Polyethylene terephthalate |
#1 bottle shapes* are accepted in recycling programs throughout Washtenaw County. Non-bottle shapes of #1 PET are less commonly recycled, and you must check with hauler before recycling. The City of Saline now accepts ALL #1 containers in their curbside recycling program. View Brochure Here. |
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HDPE High-density polyethylene |
All #2 plastics of any size, shape or color are accepted at these public drop-off locations throughout Washtenaw County. #2 bottle shapes* are accepted in most curbside recycling programs throughout Washtenaw County. Non-bottle shapes of #2 HDPE are less commonly recycled, and you must check with hauler before recycling. The City of Saline now accepts all #2 containers and bags in their curbside recycling program. View Brochure Here. |
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V or PVC Polyvinyl chloride |
NOT easily recyclable in traditional recycling systems. Just one #3 PVC bottle can contaminate an entire half-ton of water bottles for recycling. Always double-check your recycler's requirements before adding any #3 items. The City of Saline accepts #3 containers in their curbside recycling program. View Brochure Here.
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| Low-density polyethylene |
All #4 plastics of any shape, size or color are accepted at these public drop-off locations throughout Washtenaw County. Additionally, empty, clean & dry #4 (and #2) shopping bags can be dropped off at several grocery stores throughout the county, including (but not limited to) Kroger and Meijer. DO NOT place any plasic grocery bags in curbside recyling bins, as they can clog the gears in many mixed recycling plants. |
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PP Polypropylene |
Not generally collected with most recycling programs within Washtenaw County. Please click here for special collection programs for clean and dry #5 PP. |
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PS Polystyrene |
Not generally collected with most recycling programs within Washtenaw County. Please click here for special collection programs for #6 PS. |
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OTHER Any other plastic |
Not generally accepted with most recycling programs in Washtenaw County. Can contain PVC, PLA, BPA (the endocrine disruptor) etc., or just layers of #5 PP and nylon or rayon. The unknown mixture of #7 plastic resins makes it difficult to recycle. The City of Saline currently accepts #7 containers in their curbside recycling program. View Brochure Here. |
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*The term "Bottle Shapes" refers to ANY plastic container where the
neck of the container is slimmer than the rest of the body of the
bottle.
Some information obtained from American Chemical Council.
PLA
Name |
Recyclability |
Common Products |
Recycling Process |
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PLA
Polylactic Acid
Resins made from corn
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PLA will contaminate plastics collected for traditional recycling into new items, because the material will break down under heat. Do NOT place into recycling bins at this time! |
PLA disposable cups, bowls, plates, and harder plastic items, such as pens, rulers, etc. | Biodegrades under commercially-run high composting temperatures. |
Plastic Bottle Caps Recycling
Unfortunately, since the caps of most bottles are made from a different plastic type than the bottles themselves, they can lead to contamination. Therefore, PLEASE REMOVE CAPS FROM YOUR BOTTLES BEFORE RECYCLING.
The Good News: Washtenaw County residents have access to a unique bottle cap recycling program, through Aveda and the Douglas J Institute and Salon in Ann Arbor. Please click here for additional information on where to take your bottle caps for recycling.
Plastic Recycling FAQs
1. Where can I recycle my plastic in Washtenaw County?
Please view the "Guide to Plastics #1-#7 & PLA" located above on this page. Under the "Recyclability" column in the table, you can view the recycling opportunities available for each type of plastic. Click on any available links to view more information about recycling a particular plastic.
2. What plastics are safe to reuse, and which plastics should I recycle/dispose of immediately after first use?
Please see the plastics by number guide.
3. Where can I recycle my plastic grocery bags? What type of plastic are these?
Plastic grocery bags are either #2,HDPE or #4,LDPE. Most grocery- and some retail-stores have a plastic bag recycling program on the premises. Be sure to contact your grocery store directly to ask for more details on their store's program.
4. Why is it necessary to remove the bottle caps?
Unfortunately, the bottle caps are a different type of plastic than the
bottles themselves, which can cause contamination during recycling if the
two plastic types are mingled. Most plastic bottle caps are made from
#5 PP, while the bottles they cover are often made from #1, PETE or #2,
HDPE. Fortunately, in Washtenaw County there are options available for Bottle Cap Recycling.
Please contact us with all
plastic recycling questions!
Contact Information
Please direct all inquiries to:
Dan Moody
Washtenaw County Solid Waste Coordinator
Email: moodyd@ewashtenaw.org
Phone: (734) 222-3827
OR
Noelle Bowman
Solid Waste Program Assistant
Email: bowmann@ewashtenaw.org
Phone: (734) 222-6874
All questions and suggestions are welcome!
The website www.RecycleMyPlastic.com was made possible in part from the Washtenaw County Consortium for Solid Waste Management (WCCSWM).
