That Half Empty Plastic Soda Bottle Can Contaminate the Entire Bin

This blog post centers upon the little known fact that partially filled plastic containers can ruin the recycling process.  We discussed this subject with our kids the other day.  Our youngest suggested we “put it in our new blog”.  How can we argue with that?
   
We have a curbside recycle bin and recently discovered a three-quarters-full plastic soda bottle.  You might be surprised how this seemingly benign circumstance can have a dramatic effect on the recycling process.

Consider these facts:

• Machines that handle the sorting of the materials can become damaged, which means that precious time, energy and money will be needed to repair the machines.

• Liquids and solids left in recyclable materials makes the job far more difficult and inefficient for workers sorting the material by hand.

• Certain biodegradable materials actually inhibit the materials in the bin from turning into the highest quality materials possible

• In extreme cases, foreign matter in the recycling containers can result in the entire bin content being sent directly to the landfill.

Now back to those kids.  I know that they are much more concerned about “Mother Earth” than they are about wasting Mom and Dad’s hard-earned money.  While I don’t expect to see any more half-full soda bottles in our recycle bin,  I am a realist and know their concern for Mother Earth will not  resolve their natural calling to open 12-ounce drinks to satisfy their two-ounce thirst. I suppose they will devise some creative (and comical) covert product disposal methods all in the name of protecting the environment.