The old guy at the recycling center changed how I think about plastic

There's this older fella named Hank who works at the transfer station on Route 9 near my town. Back in June I was tossing a bunch of those thin plastic clamshell containers from berries and he stopped me. He said "son, those aren't gonna get recycled here, they fall through the sorting machine." I'd been tossing them in the bin for years thinking I was doing good. Now I just wash and reuse them for storing stuff around the garage. Has anyone else found out their local center can't handle certain plastics?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_simon18d ago

Hank sounds like he's saving me from myself honestly. Last week I tried to recycle a pizza box with a grease spot on it and the guy just gave me this look like I was personally insulting his family. Probably should start calling ahead like Gray said before I embarrass myself again.

graydavis18d ago

I've been to three different recycling centers in my county and every single one has their own rules. The one on Elm Street takes those clamshells, the one on Maple Avenue doesn't. It's a total mess. I started calling ahead or checking their websites before I even load up my truck. You'd think they'd have a standard list statewide but nope, it's like each place makes it up as they go. So your guy Hank might be right for that specific spot, but don't assume it's the same everywhere.

reese_nelson18d ago

Exactly. The inconsistencies are the real problem, not people trying their best. It makes you wonder how much perfectly good plastic just gets tossed in the landfill because one center has a different machine than the one two towns over.