RE: [GreenYes] margarine and yogurt tubs

[Heide Feldman <hfeldman@mrwmd.org>]

The process for making a tub is different from a bottle and therefore requires a different plastic resin, even though both are listed as #2 HDPE plastic.  We fought this situation for a long time here, saying people could only recycle "narrow-mouthed, broad-bottom" containers.  Luckily our haulers finally agreed to accept all plastic containers 1 - 7 and we no longer had to deal with that awkward description and limitation on our recycling programs.

Hope that helps,

Heidi Feldman
Public Education Coordinator
Monterey Regional Waste Management District
Tel.: 831/384-5313     FAX: 831/384-3567

-----Original Message-----
From: Sharon_Gates@ci.long-beach.ca.us [mailto:Sharon_Gates@ci.long-beach.ca.us]
Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 3:13 PM
To: greenyes@grrn.org
Subject: [GreenYes] margarine and yogurt tubs

What is the difference, from a recycling standpoint, between a #2 beverage container and a #2 yogurt tub?  Our curbside recycling program collects #1 through #4 plastics, but I have just learned from our MRF that margarine-and-yogurt-tub-type things are not recycled but are considered waste.

Sharon Gates
Recycling Specialist
City of Long Beach, California
562/570-4694