#reuseplastic

I did a little dive into recycling rules in Minneapolis. Here you go! You can’t just toss whatever you want in there and hope for the best. Some items will cause major issues in the recycling process! Click HERE to visit the acceptable recycling list.

No #6 plastics (polystyrene: rigid or foam)

No black plastics (any number)

Fortunately due to the City's Green to Go ordinance, #6 plastics are not allowed to be used for food-service applications (still make sure to check though). Other locations you'll commonly find #6 plastics are in foam (referred to as StyrofoamTM) or plastic cups or plates purchased from a store and plastic holders for things like pre-packaged cookies, pre-packaged crackers, and possibly pre-packaged clamshells from bakery items (so long as they're not packaged at the store, they are exempt from Green to Go requirements).

Black plastics are typically a #1, #5 or #6 plastic. Plastics are sorted by type (number) at the recycling facility by a laser. The color black absorbs the laser light and does not allow it to identify the type of plastic an item is. Black plastics would have to be pulled by hand and a person would have to look at each piece to identify if it is a #1, #5 or #6. These logistics, including the weak markets, make recycling black plastic not economically feasible.

Items you can recycle!!!

Paper

Mail, office and school papers

Magazines, newspaper and inserts

Phone books

Shredded paper in closed paper bags

Books

Boxes

Cardboard

Cereal, cracker, shoe and gift boxes

Refrigerated food and beverage boxes

Toothpaste, medication and other toiletry boxes

Plastics - keep caps onBottles and jugs:

Water, soda and juice boxes

Milk and juice jugs

Ketchup and salad dressing bottles

Dishwashing and laundry soap bottles and jugs

Shampoo, soap and lotion bottles

Cups and containers:

Yogurt, pudding and fruit cups

Margarine, cottage cheese and other tubs and lids

Produce, deli and takeout containers

 Glass

Food and beverage bottles and jars

 Metal

Food and beverage cans

Aluminum foil and trays

Decorative tins and pie tins

Cartons

Milk cartons

Juice boxes

Soup, broth and wine cartons

Cardboard cans

Chips, nuts and other snacks

Frozen juices and refrigerated dough

Powdered juice mixes

Powdered cleaners

Batteries - place in bag on top of cart - not in your cart

Single use and rechargeable batteries

Put in clear plastic bag and place on top of your recycling cart.

Tape the positive (+) terminal of lithium and lithium-ion batteries to prevent fires.

Do not place the following items in your recycling cart:

Plastic bags (no recycling in bags or loose plastic bags, bubble wrap or film)

Cords, electronics or appliances

Paper or foam cups, plates clamshells, ice cream cartons

Straws, napkins or paper towels

Durable goods (storage bins, toys, sports gear, furniture, building materials, hoses, garden edging, brooms, shovels, ceramics, glassware, mirrors, picture frames, other housewares or décor)

Scrap metal (pots and pans, pipes, poles, toasters, chairs, scooters)

Clothes hangers (metal, plastic or wood)

Paint, bulbs or containers that held hazardous waste

Textiles (clothes, shoes, linens, blankets or curtains)

Syringes

# 6 plastic (rigid or foam)

Black plastic