Stupid recycling question and has there been a move to do something about this?

[Skidmore]

I was removing caps from plastic bottles today for the recycling bin. Our local recycling center requires us to do this. First, I note that the caps are not labeled with a recycling symbol or number. Second I note that the density of plastic used for them appears to be different than for the container itself. I guess the questions I have aree why are manufacturers allowed to make caps out of a different material than the container, or why are they not required to use recyclable materials for the cap itself? If the cap is recyclable, why is it not labeled?

[sutz12]

1. The cap material probably has something to do with sealing the container.

A "harder" plastic may be required. As for marking the cap, I have no clue. These sound like good questions. Perhaps you should contact your recycler. I'm sure they have a contact number.

I don't do this myself. This leads me to think I need to read my recycling instructions, which I will do. :)

[Rosemary2205]

2. Caps

As far as carbonated beverages are concerned the cap has to be stronger than the bottle. I was also told by someone who works in recycling that the machines that "chew up" the bottles would get so clogged up with caps and rings that it would stop the production line -- in other words the caps and rings are too small for the recycle machines to handle.

I don't know how accurate that is, just passing on what I was told.

[Atman]

4. Hmmm...I use the machines at the grocery, and just toss the whole thing in

Cap and all. It grinds the plastic inside the machine. Never saw anything about separating the caps.

.

[catmandu57]

3. I always removed the caps

until recently. We have a local cable channel which gives us city info, they're taking caps now, why I don't know.

[sutz12]

5. It sounds like it depends on the recycler's equipment.

Perhaps older equipment can't handle the caps, while newer equipment has been designed to.

[Squeech]

6. WTF?

My state has a law that requires a deposit on soft drink bottles. There are machines in supermarkets that you can feed these bottles into, and they'll tally your bottles and print you a voucher for the value of the deposits. The machine contains a shredder that turns your bottles to plastic confetti, which goes into plastic bags. I always assumed that that material got delivered to recyclers. If the caps aren't recyclable, or require a different process to recycle, then that plastic waste isn't useful feedstock. Are the denizens of my state being hornswoggled?

(Wouldn't be the first time.)

[TAPat]

7. My kids school collects them

and they are recycled into benches and *such like* for the school.

Maybe different equipment IS required for the caps :shrug: