Recycle Lady: Black Trays, Hershey’s Bottles and Bottle Caps

Dear Recycle Lady,

Why can’t #1 black trays be recycled at the Recycling Center? Puzzled

Dear Puzzled,

Number 1 Black plastic trays are not accepted at the Recycling Center because black plastic trays are colored with a carbon black pigment that prevents them from being recycled. The infrared light optical sorting systems used by the plastic industry can’t penetrate black plastics as black doesn’t reflect light. Thus, processors are unable to identify and sort black plastics, so they are unable to use them. Additionally, most of the black plastic trays are microwavable, making them even more difficult to recycle. Every year, some 1.3 billion black plastic trays end up in landfills, according to Greenpeace UK. Help the environment and our oceans by avoiding purchasing items in a black plastic tray whenever possible. 

Dear Recycle Lady,

What about #2 dark brown bottles that had Hershey’s syrup in it? Can it be recycled? Ardent Recycler

Dear Ardent Recycler,

Yes, Hershey’s dark brown #2 bottles can be recycled. They go in the bag or bin with #2 colored bottles and jugs.  Be sure they are clean, dry, and the cap is removed. According to thehersheycompany.com, the Hershey Company is increasing their proportion of sustainable materials, eliminating unnecessary packaging, and using responsible sourcing, with a goal of achieving 100% plastic packaging that is recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2030. They redesigned their Chocolate Syrup multi-pack carriers to be made from 100 % post-consumer recycled content, thus eliminating nearly 33,000 pounds of virgin high-density polyethylene annually. 

Dear Recycle Lady,

When I removed the white cap from a plastic bottle, a small white plastic band remained on the bottle that I am unable to remove.  Can plastic bottles be recycled with the bands still on the top of the bottles?  Why can’t bottles be recycled with the top on? Top or No Top

Dear Top or no Top,

Yes, plastic bottles can be recycled with the white plastic band still on the bottle. However, be sure to remove the cap before recycling. Since bottles and caps are made of two different kinds of plastics, they can’t be recycled together, as they have different melting points when processed. Large cities can recycle bottles with the caps on, but it takes specialized equipment with a pressurized system to remove the caps and flatten the bottles. Our local Recycling Center doesn’t have this equipment, so all caps must be removed.   

Good News: Australia has recently approved a 3,230,000 sq. ft. marine expansion, bringing the percentage of Australia’s protected oceans to 52%, more than any other country! This new area is a biodiversity hotspot, home to species found nowhere else in the world. (fto.com)

Dear Readers,

Kudos to the Girl Scouts who have now completed their collection of 1,000 pounds and earned a TREX bench! We are now looking for an organization to take over the collection of the next 1,000 pounds. If you know of any organization that would be interested in undertaking this project, please email me immediately at lucie@refsland.com. Pickup of plastic film at the four locations will be discontinued next week if no one steps forward. Instruction and help is available. No one wants to see this wonderful project end and the next 1,000 of plastic film end up in the landfill. 

Have questions about recycling, or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests to Recyclelady7@gmail.com. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.