The Mystery of Recycling Plastic Caps

 

 

Photo: Alex Vietti, Earth911

When dealing with the matter of recycling plastic, there's always the question of how to handle plastic caps. It's a real mystery.

Part of the problem is that the plastic used to make the bottles is different than that used to make the caps. Another problem is that the caps are so small, they tend to fall through the cracks -- literally.

They can also turn into projectiles during the sorting process. Like little disc-shaped bullets. So not cool.

However, in the US, there are six whole major cities that are recycling plastic bottle caps. Whoa!

To quote the article:

But what are your options if your city’s recycling program does not accept plastic bottle caps?

Drop-off options:

• Aveda stores and salons: You can take your plastic #5 bottle caps to one of Aveda’s stores or salons, where the maker of naturally-derived personal care products will recycle the material into new caps for their own products. In addition to collecting caps from drink and shampoo bottles, Aveda accepts flip-top caps from tubes or food products like ketchup or mayonnaise, as well as laundry detergent and peanut butter lids.
• Whole Foods and other natural food stores: Recycle your plastic bottle caps on your next grocery shopping trip, with Preserve’s Gimme 5 program that collects a variety of plastic #5 products at Whole Foods’ locations and other natural food stores. Then shop for toothbrushes, razors and kitchen supplies made out of your old #5 plastics at Preserve’s online shop – because, as the expression goes, you’re not really recycling unless you buy recycled.

Mail-back programs:

• Preserve’s Gimme 5 mail-back program: Don’t live near one of Gimme 5’s collection locations? You can mail your #5 plastics in to Preserve’s New York facility and get rewarded with points from Recyclebank that you can use for discounts and perks at local businesses.
• Weisenbach Recycled Products’ Caps Can Do program: The Caps Can Do program accepts all plastic #5 caps including caps from drink and shampoo bottles, plastic jar lids, flip caps from tubes and food products, and snap-on lids from yogurt and butter tubs.  Mail in your caps to their Ohio facility, and then shop for a wide variety of home, garden and office products made from your recycled plastics at Weisenbach’s online store.
  
  Yeah, I'm sure everyone will gladly collect their caps and drop them off or mail them. No problem!
  
  PS: If you really like mysteries, I suggest you check this one out. ;)