Recycling Education
We're here to help you recycle plastics!
We know that recycling can be tricky – but we’re here to help! With a back-to-basics approach, we hope that these tips will help you become a recycling pro in no time! And if that’s not enough, you can always ask the Saskatoon Waste Wizard for help.
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Stretchy or crinkly plastics are not recyclable. |
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Learn the Tricks. Recycle Quick.
Always look for a ♻ symbol and #1 through #7.
- If the symbol doesn’t have a number, it’s not recyclable.
- Recyclable plastics are labeled with 1 thru 7 and the ♻, indicating to the processors/manufacturers what type of plastic it is and how it should be processed for recycling.
Stretchy or crinkly plastics are not recyclable.
- Recyclable plastics should be sturdy and maintain their form.
- Plastics that crinkle, stretch or easily break are not recyclable and should be thrown in the garbage.
- Examples: chip bags, grocery bags, plastic wrapping around toilet paper.
- Styrofoam is one exception; it's sturdy but not recyclable.
Make sure it’s ALL plastic.
- Recyclable plastics must be entirely made of plastic.
- Even if it's mixed with another recyclable material - like paper - it can't go into your blue cart or bin without being taken a part first. If not, toss into the garbage!
- Examples: doll boxes, pill blister packs, potato chip can, binders.
It might not be recyclable even if it says it is.
- Bubble mailers are mixed materials and as such can’t be recycled.
- The sorting facilities here can’t recycle these mailers like a box, so throw them in your garbage.
Recyclable plastics should be light and bright.
- Plastics can be recycled only if they are clear or light in colour.
- Household plastics that are dark in colour – like black or navy – can't be turned into anything new and should be thrown in the garbage.
Bigger than a deck of cards!
- If it’s smaller than a deck of cards, toss it in the garbage.
- Recyclable plastics must be larger than a deck of cards in order to be sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can only plastics 1♻ to 7♻ be recycled?
Recyclable plastics will have a 1 thru 7 and the ♻ to indicate to the processors/manufacturers what type of plastic it is and how it should be processed for recycling. Plastics without either or just one or the other, are always garbage.
Why do I need to remove caps, lids, and pump tops from the plastic containers?
Plastics with different numbers possess varying melting points when being repurposed into new products; rendering them incompatible. For example, bottle caps should be separated from bottles as they are typically composed of different plastics.
Why do the residential recycling programs only accept plastics that are sturdy and maintain their form, like bottles, jugs, and containers.
Plastics that are easily stretched or crinkled typically are at their end of life and cannot be recycled again by the manufacturers. A plastics' strength is determined by their internal bonds. When melted and reformed into new products these bonds break down causing the material to weaken with each cycle, transitioning from rigid to thin to flexible and crinkly.
Why do plastics have to be larger than a playing card box (2.5x3.5”) to be recycled?
Small recyclables may be missed by the collection sorting system and cannot be recovered by employees or machines. On a daily basis Saskatoon recycles and sorts upwards of 150 tonnes daily.
Why can’t I recycle containers made of mixed-materials?
Plastics require disassembling prior to being recycled, otherwise each component will contaminate the other rending it non-recyclable. For example, a Pringles container. As whole it can’t be recycled but taken a part each piece is acceptable.
Where do I put plastics labelled compostable or biodegradable?
Not in your blue cart or bin! The chemicals in compostable or biodegradable plastics break down regular plastics; rendering them as garbage. In Canada there are no regulations on labeling for compostable products. As a result, not all products with these labels can break down in existing composting systems – but this doesn’t stop the manufacturers from labelling their products as such. Dispose of this packaging in the garbage, except for BPI certified compostable bags intended for green carts.
Why aren’t all plastics accepted for recycling?
The residential recycling program was designed for household packaging and paper products only. Anything outside of this scope is not accepted, so items found around the home such as scrap metal, tires, or clothing will need to be taken to a participating drop-off location to be recycled.
Why are only 9% of the world’s plastics recycled?
68% of produced plastics worldwide are simply not suitable for recycling. Producers are responsible for selecting the type of plastics used for their products. Unfortunately, the majority of plastics are designed to be single-use intended to protect our consumables. Not all plastic types used are suitable for current recycling systems. Increasing plastics recycling will involve global innovation, better product designs and developing environmentally friendly alternatives that work with current waste management programs.
What happens to the plastic I recycle?
Plastics collected from your blue cart or bin are taken and sorted at one of two local recycling sorting facilities in Saskatoon, prior to being bundled into bales. The bales are acquired by Canadian and North American reclaiming plants to be made into a product suitable for reuse. For example, a plastic 1♻ water bottle could be remade into fleece fabric.
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