Author: Samuel Batali

My Beloved Bin Diver: Nyla’s Origin

Posted on by Samuel Batali
Nyla the raccoon in a green beaded collar against purple, with the words My beloved and two hearts.

Psst — the color-coded ✱ icons in this story are clickable. Tap one for a recycling rule, a recycling benefit or a bit of need-to-know trivia.

Nyla’s first week of teaching had gone better than she could have imagined. But there was one thing that she couldn’t shake. Despite teaching the neighborhood kits the basics of raccooning (cleaning their food and Did you know? Plastic, metal and glass containers are common recyclables — meaning your OJ bottles, tuna cans and pickle jars are recyclable curbside!digging in the trash can for recyclables), there always seemed to be something new to say about plastic recyclables.

She adored their little faces and the little treats they brought her (though truth be told she’d prefer a latte over an apple) but still felt something was missing — a feeling that was about to change …

Nyla in a green beaded collar at the front of a classroom hung with paper bunting.

At the end of one school day, one of her favorite students, Timmy, was still there after most of the other parents had come to pick up their kits.

“Timmy, honey, I’m sure someone will be along in a minute,” Nyla told him, even though inside she was a little annoyed. That’s when a handsome raccoon came bounding up.

“Sorry, bud! I couldn’t remember the address.” He stopped short at the sight of Nyla. “Why, hello there! I’m Timmy’s uncle, Dave.”

Suddenly Nyla didn’t feel so annoyed anymore. She straightened her necklace and fluffed out her cheek tufts casually.

“I’m Timmy’s teacher, Nyla.”

Those simple introductions led to weeks of small talk. Eventually, Nyla and Dave started going on dates, sharing You found a recycling basic! Plastic, metal and glass containers should be rinsed and emptied before recycling!a can of tuna or a spoiled yogurt container as they sorted the trash from the recycling. Nyla couldn’t keep her passion for plastic recycling from creeping into their conversations.

“Ya know, I should introduce you to my friend Frank. He’s really into recycling too — even has this club he meets with. He talks about some of the plastics, but he’s more of a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to recycling,” Dave told her.

They were out so late one night, they were still digging through the recycling when morning came.

“Look at this!” Nyla said with disgust. “You found a recycling basic! Plastic bags should NOT be recycled in your curbside cart since they can tangle up recycling machines and endanger recycling workers. But they can be returned to local grocers like Meijer and Kroger instead!They threw all these plastic bags in with the other plastics! Somebody could get tangled up and hurt. We better get them out of here before the truck comes.” She began to frantically dig through the bin, grabbing all the plastic bags.

Nyla beside a row of green carts at night, facing two plastic bags left on the pavement.

“I’m not sure we’ll have time to get them all. There’s the truck now! You get out of here. I’ll grab the rest.” Dave gently pushed her over the edge of the bin. Nyla dived into the ditch with the bags she had sorted out, but when she looked back the truck was already pulling the cart up to empty it. Dave held on to a plastic bag, trying to wrestle it from the recycling truck.

“Dave, let go!” But the truck was already driving off, the plastic bags tangled in the back of the truck’s machinery as Dave held on to the side. “Dave!” Tears rolled down her cheeks as the truck drove off with him. The brave raccoon was still attempting to undo the jam as he disappeared down the subdivision.

Nyla chased after the truck for as long as she could until her legs finally gave out. She must’ve stayed there for what felt like hours.

Weeks passed before a raccoon wearing a turquoise bandanna around his neck and a raccoon with a stylish red hat entered her classroom after school had ended. “Excuse me, but are you Nyla?”

“Yes,” she replied shakily.

“I’m Frank, Dave’s friend. And this is Paper. He told us a lot about you. Have you seen him?”

Frank in his teal bandana and Paper in a plaid cap standing in Nyla's classroom.

“He’s missing. He … tried to save a recycling truck.” Nyla vowed from that moment on to help others know about plastic recycling, so an accident like Dave’s never happened again.

Rinse, Recycle, Rock On: Precious’ Origin Story

Posted on by Samuel Batali
Precious the raccoon in a denim jacket with a purple mohawk against orange, framed by music notes.

Psst — the color-coded ✱ icons in this story are clickable. Tap one for a recycling rule, a recycling benefit or a bit of need-to-know trivia.

It was supposed to be a typical practice. But when the lead guitarist of noise-rock cover band Heavi Metale — Heavi — strummed the strings, it was as if he thrummed the very strings of fate.

As the music swelled, so too did Precious Metale’s excitement — causing her to break into a wicked impromptu drum solo. Her kit, made from metal cans scavenged from recycling carts, You found a recycling basic! NEVER recycle aerosol cans … because during the recycling process, these can ACTUALLY explode.let out an explosive sound under her drum sticks.

Precious plays a drum kit built from metal cans in a garage.

“Stop, stop, stop!” Heavi shouted, his gray fur puffed in agitation. “Can’t we get through one practice without you going rogue?”

“Sorry, man, but that’s just not rock ’n’ roll. If I feel it, I play it!” Precious said with a shrug. It was a fight they’d had often. Despite both raccoons’ shared love of Fun fact: Recycling your metal cans saves on natural resources! Making a can from recycled aluminum takes up to 95% less energy than a brand-new one.metal (both music and recyclables), the dynamic duo was often at odds.

“I’ve had it!” Heavi snapped, shoving his guitar in its case. “I got an offer from a group of jazz cats anyway, so I’m out!”

Precious watched, mouth agape, as Heavi stormed out. Full of righteous fury (and determined to have the last word), Precious sprinted out into the dark alley. In her haste, she toppled into a trash can, sending the contents flying.

Under the shallow light of a crescent moon, Heavi had disappeared and Precious hissed — her anger worsened by the sight of You found a recycling basic! Relatively grease-free pizza boxes, rinsed and emptied metals like tuna cans, and paper envelopes (even with plastic windows) are all recyclable curbside!perfectly good recyclable pizza boxes, tuna cans and paper envelopes mixed into the trash at her feet.

Precious crouches in a grey street beside a tipped bin, a pizza box and cans spilled around her.

“’Tis a right shame, isn’t it, Lass,” a voice said, making her jump.

Precious whirled around to see a raccoon sporting a checkered cap approaching from the mouth of the alley. “It seems the humans still have a long way to go when it comes to learning the rules of recycling,” he said while looking at the mess.

A set of paper bagpipes slung across his back caught her eye. “Nice pipes. Pawmade?”

“Yes, and out of Newspapers, magazines, non-glittery wrapping paper, envelopes and more can all be recycled curbside (or given to Paper to make into bagpipes!).recycled paper too! You’ve a fine eye for instruments.”

“Thanks, I’m in — I was in a band … but that’s over now,” she said, shaking her head. The strange raccoon began cleaning the mess as she watched, sorting out recyclable items with care.

“The name’s Paper MacKay, and it seems we’re both in luck. As fate would have it, I’m putting together an ensemble of my own. Any interest in joining a new group?”

“Think you can handle my sound?” Precious asked, starting to grin.

“Lass, bagpipes are nothing BUT sound! I think we’ll get along jus’ fine.”

“I’m in. What’s your group called?”

“The Recycling Raccoon Squad.”

Paper with his bagpipes and Precious with an orange guitar standing together in the street.

Plastic Bags — What’s The Deal?

Posted on by Samuel Batali
A raccoon in a green collar looks up at a plastic bag marked with a yellow question mark.

Have you ever heard of tumbleweeds blowing in the wind? Kind of peaceful. We can dig it. But do you want to know what we don’t love seeing blowing around out there? You guessed it: plastic bags!

A thank-you plastic bag with a large yellow question mark on it.

If you’ve been recycling for a minute, you’ve probably heard that plastic bags can’t be recycled in your curbside bin. But before you let those things tumble around in the breeze, there are ways to still recycle them!

Take it from us — Nyla P. Lastic, the Queen of Plastic Recycling, and Frank, the King of “Other” Recycling. Let’s break it down.

Frank and Nyla side by side wearing gold and green crowns with recycling symbols.

How to recycle plastic bags

  • Don’t put them in your curbside bin. They can tangle around the sorting machines at the recycling center — not cool!
  • Make sure they’re clean and dry and free from things like receipts.
  • Designate a place to collect them at home.
  • Check with a grocery store or other retailer in your area to see if they accept them. Usually there’s a drop-off bin in the store.
Two raccoons carrying plastic bags back into a grocery store.

No special trip required! Just grab your bags the next time you plan to hit the grocery store.

Not sure if your plastic bag can be returned to the store? Try the stretch test! If it stretches, it can probably go. Or check with your individual retailer to see if they have a list of accepted items.

And while we know using plastic bags happens to the best of us, try opting for reusable bags where you can!

Now excuse us while we go chase down a few bags to return!

Flint recycling reaches an all-time high!

Posted on by Samuel Batali
Six City of Flint, Genesee County and EGLE officials stand with a Recycling Raccoon mascot in front of a yellow Priority Waste collection truck at the Flint news conference.

Jump to …

FLINT, Mich. — Flint’s annual recycling rate has reached a record high, according to a new analysis of data by the city’s Waste Services Department and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

The announcement comes as Michigan continues to celebrate five consecutive years of record-setting improvement in the state’s overall recycling rate, including a new record-high 26% EGLE announced in April based on the most recent data available.

“Every bottle, box and can we recycle brings us one step closer to a sustainable Flint where both the environment and our community thrive,” Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said during an outdoor news conference at Flint City Hall.

“This analysis by the City of Flint with EGLE reminds everyone how simple and important it is to recycle properly,” Neeley said. “By increasing our recycling tonnage, we not only conserve natural resources but also generate significant economic benefits, supporting thousands of jobs and injecting billions of dollars into Michigan’s statewide economy.”

The City’s Achievement

Flint leaders attribute the city’s achievement of its all-time high recycling rate to the historic 2024 distribution of more than 68,000 free 96-gallon trash carts and 64-gallon recycling carts to more than 34,000 residential households. The rollout marked the first major step in transitioning Flint to a cart-based recycling program that continues to promote the largest recycling push in city history.

The city’s previous recycling program required Flint residents to provide their own waste and recycling receptacles to hold materials at the curbside. The rolling, lidded recycling carts branded with “Flint Strong” logos have successfully increased the amount of materials recycled in Flint from 624 tons per year before the rollout to 2,200 tons annually based on the 2026 analysis — a 253% increase — while expanding recycling access, inspiring more resident participation, reducing neighborhood blight and enhancing safety for sanitation workers with Priority Waste, Flint’s contracted waste hauler.

Recycling Cart Rollout

Before Flint’s recycling cart rollout, the total amount of recyclables deposited annually by Flint residents would barely cover the football field surface within the 11,000-seat Atwood Stadium owned by Kettering University. Now, if the total tonnage of Flint’s recyclables were stacked on the field in Atwood Stadium, the amount would reach a height of nearly 6 feet, data shows.

EGLE provided Flint with a $1 million infrastructure grant to help the city purchase and provide the free recycling carts. National nonprofit The Recycling Partnership awarded a $3.3 million grant to help support Flint’s effort to modernize its waste management program and expand access to recycling.

“State investment, community action, communication and collaboration are driving progress across Michigan’s local recycling systems, as reflected by Flint’s tremendous accomplishment,” said EGLE Environmental Justice Public Advocate Regina Strong.

“Millions of Michiganders have greater access to recycling than ever before, and more material than ever is being successfully reclaimed and repurposed in our growing circular economy.”

By transitioning to cart-based collection, the City of Flint is adopting an industry-recognized best-management practice that has set the city up for immediate and long-term success.

“Setting our city’s new all-time recycling record is a truly historic accomplishment for the City of Flint,” City of Flint Waste Services Coordinator Heather Griffin said.

“We all know recycling helps us keep Michigan beautiful. Now, the City of Flint gets to be a larger part of that beautiful story.”

During the news conference, Genesee County leaders and Flint neighborhood advocates highlighted how the city’s recycling resurgence is driving momentum and support for the proposed development of the new $12.7 million Genesee County Recycling & Education Center. EGLE has allocated $900,000 toward the project. The center’s scale and overall design are based on research and analysis of comparable recycling operations throughout Michigan, as well as anticipated use and participation from Genesee County residents.

A Cleaner Future for Genesee County

The planned facility will be built at 609 Chavez Drive, the site of the former blighted McDonald Dairy property, just west of the I-475 highway corridor. The old industrial plant closed in 2009 and had become an eyesore and a public safety concern.

“Promoting healthy, safe and livable communities is one of the board’s fundamental priorities, and responsible recycling is an important part of that work,” said Genesee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dale K. Weighill. “Good environmental stewardship helps protect our neighborhoods, preserve our natural resources and contribute to a better quality of life throughout Genesee County.”

Genesee County plans to transform the long-vacant, deteriorated industrial property into a modern Recycling & Education Center that will provide residents with better access to safe, responsible recycling services while creating opportunities for environmental education, proponents say.

Genesee County has been providing recycling drop-off days for residents in a parking lot at Mott Community College, less than a mile away, and the service has a waiting list of more than 3,000 residents hailing from every community within Genesee County.

The new facility will also enable the county to begin offering hands-on interactive educational experiences for residents and students, a service the county has historically delivered in local classrooms through a partnership with the Flint River Watershed Coalition.

The project is largely funded by the solid waste system — not residents. Approximately 88% of the project’s costs will be funded through increased solid waste fees paid by waste haulers using county landfills, significantly reducing the direct financial burden on Genesee County residents.

Michigan’s Recycling Rebound

EGLE research shows Michigan has steadily increased its recycling rate from 14.25% before 2019 to over 25% in FY 2024, and is now 26% for FY 2025. EGLE forecasts that Michigan is on track to achieve the state’s goal of a 30% recycling rate by 2029.

From fiscal year 2024 to 2025, Michiganders increased their recycling to a total tonnage of 800,940 tons. Michiganders recycled more than 60,000 tons of glass, 577,000 tons of paper and paper products, and 41,000 tons of plastics and plastic products.

This equates to every person in Michigan recycling nearly 158 pounds of cardboard boxes, milk cartons, soup cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, food waste and other recyclable materials over a 12-month span, EGLE researchers found.

The combined total of recyclables is the equivalent of the weight of 10 Mackinac Bridges and would fill the football stadiums of the Detroit Lions, University of Michigan and Michigan State University, plus fill the 125-acre Detroit Zoo.

EGLE leaders attribute the state’s recycling success to funding for infrastructure and technical support for projects that increase access to recycling services, along with the national award-winning “Know It Before You Throw It” education campaign featuring the Recycling Raccoon Squad.

The improved recycling performance is helping Michigan advance the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, commissioned by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as a road map to a sustainable, prosperous, healthy, equitable, carbon-neutral Michigan economy by 2050. Carbon neutrality is the global science-based benchmark for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the most devastating and costly impacts of climate change.

Recycling in Michigan supports 72,500 jobs and contributes more than $17 billion a year to the state’s economy, according to an analysis by EGLE’s NextCycle Michigan Initiative.

3 Easy Ways to Protect Recycling Workers

Posted on by Samuel Batali
The words Recycle Right beside a green Keep It Up thumbs-up sticker.

Why Should you Care?

blank

As a total recycling lover, you help improve Michigan’s environment and boost the economy with each recyclable that goes into your curbside cart. To make the most of your recycling, safety is key!

Believe it or not, keeping recycling workers safe also ensures that your recyclables get a second chance. And the best part is that you can do both in just three steps.

Take it from Matt Van Benten, operations supervisor at the Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County (RRRASOC) Material Recovery Facility in Southfield. “Safety is huge here — it’s our No. 1 concern, and it’s our No. 1 problem.”

As he sorted through a box of potentially dangerous items that were pulled from the MRF’s conveyor line, he found items that don’t belong in curbside recycling.

“There are homes for them, but your local recycling bin is not it.”

— Matt Van Benten

Sharps

Sharps can easily injure workers while they move down the conveyor. Objects that should be kept out of curbside recycling include:

  • Needles
  • Scissors
  • Knives

Medical sharps have specific programs and locations available for easy disposal.

Sharps that don’t fit into medical waste, like scissors, can often be taken to local household hazardous waste collection events.

Bags

Bags can hide among paper and plastic materials, which makes them a bit tricky for recycling workers since, as Van Benten said, “You don’t know where it is.” Not only can they clog up sorting machines, but they can also hide hazards from recycling workers — which means it’s safer to dispose of them when materials are being sorted.

Leave your recyclables loose in your curbside cart and clear of tanglers like plastic bags, string lights and hoses. As for the plastic bags, those can be taken right back to a local grocer, like Meijer or Kroger.

Electronics

The last item you should keep FAR from your curbside cart are batteries or any kind of electronic.

Get the full battery breakdown

“We’ve had explosions and fires here caused by things like this,” Van Benten said. And that’s why electronic devices are a no-no. Things like cellphones, laptops and tablets are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can explode when crushed or shaken.

A wide-eyed raccoon in front of flames as a cellphone, laptop and battery pack fall around him.

Instead, return them to a local electronic retailer like Best Buy, Home Depot and more.

Pop (Can) Quiz + Answers

Posted on by Samuel Batali
A raccoon lifts a pair of blue glasses beside the words Pop Quiz.

Howdy, humans! So, you found our quiz and want to test your recycling knowledge? Or maybe you’re just sniffing around for more recycling rules. Whatever the reason, the Recycling Raccoon Squad has gathered the answers below. 👇

True!

Not much more to say than envelopes with plastic windows are A-OK!

False!

Styrofoam and other foam materials are NOT recyclable curbside. This is mainly because of their porous nature (they hold on to air and contaminants). Some centers and programs will accept them, but otherwise they can be thrown away.

False!

As long as it’s crumb- and cheese-free (without a drenching of grease), your pizza box is recyclable. We were so jazzed, we even made a page where you can check your grease level.

False!

Glass is actually one of the MOST recyclable materials because it can be recycled again and again and again and aga — you get it.

That means mason jars, food jars, glass bottles are all recyclable curbside!

False!

Some can be recycled at drop-off centers but NOT in your curbside recycling cart. See what Gladys Glass says about light bulbs.

False!

Please, NO! Bags tangle up recycling machines. Keep them FAR from your curbside cart and take them to a local grocer instead (like Meijer or Kroger).

True!

We’re biased, of course, but a nocturnal caper just hits different when you have night vision.

True!

YES! Breaking your cardboard down leaves room for even more recycling!!

A raccoon in a denim jacket with a purple mohawk beside a light bulb and the word Knowledge.

So, how’d you do? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram.

It Came From the Recycling Cart: Frank’s Origin

Posted on by Samuel Batali
Frank the raccoon in a teal bandana on a moonlit street of houses at night.

Psst — the color-coded ✱ icons in this story are clickable. Tap one for a recycling rule, a recycling benefit or a bit of need-to-know trivia.

The night was dark. His surroundings coated in dew from a dense fog. And Frank was face down in a recycling cart. The only sound was the rustling of common household recyclables as You found a recycling basic! Plastic, metal and glass containers should be rinsed (or carefully licked clean) before being recycled curbside.he licked forgotten yogurt cups, orange juice bottles and bean cans clean.

Frank leans into an open blue recycling cart filled with a yogurt cup, a jug and a can.

That’s when he heard it. A sound that made his ears shoot up. Frank peered out of the recycling cart to look around him. Nothing. Frank returned to his work when again … tap, tap. Tap. Tap, tap.

When he looked out, he saw only the neighboring recycling cart. Something was inside.

Frank’s fur stood on end as he drew nearer. A blur of white shot at him and wrapped around his back paw. Frank hissed — kicking until he saw the blur was a plastic bag … Did you know, tanglers are items that tangle up recyclables, recycling machines and raccoons. Plastic bags, however, can be taken back to local grocers like Meijer and Kroger for recycling.a tangler.

A startled Frank stands beside a recycling cart with a coiled garden hose tangled inside it.

That couldn’t have made the sound, so what had? Frank continued forward and lifted the lid to see the cart was full of … tanglers! He fell back at the sight, scrambling behind a nearby tree as images of what he had seen flashed through his mind. FYI: String lights, rope, wires and hangers are all included in the tangler category and should be kept FAR from your curbside cart.String lights, rope, wire and even hangers — all stuffed inside a recycling cart. And all coiling around common household recyclables.

If these items made it back to a recycling center, they could tangle a sorting machine and stop You found a recycling benefit! Recycling helps items become something new, rather than lying in a landfill.loads of recyclables from becoming new items! Frank was frantic as he rushed back to the cart. He didn’t have time for fear. He had to save the recyclables!

His paws worked feverishly to yank tangler after tangler, even as they tangled around him. In his mind, he could hear his mother Pearl’s voice: “You found a recycling benefit! In Michigan, recycling and reuse industries support more than 72,500 jobs and can save up to 95% of energy.Recyclables save energy and help the economy, Frank. That’s why it’s our duty to save them in return … ”

Frank pulls a hose, a hanger and a spool of string lights up out of a recycling cart.

Finally, the unfettered recyclables lay loose in the recycling cart, but Frank knew he wasn’t done. He had to get rid of the tanglers — properly. And yet, as he pulled the last one out of the cart, his strength left him and he passed out on the soft grass.

“Awrite, laddie? You look as though you’ve seen a ghost!”

“Oh man, he’s laid out.”

Frank blinked awake at two raccoons, one with a purple mohawk holding drumsticks and another with a plaid hat and paper bagpipes. They helped him up, asking about what had happened. As Frank explained, the two smiled and helped remove the tanglers. You found a recycling rule! Remember! While each tangler has its own disposal process, most can be donated or resold if they are in good condition!Rope: Cut into smaller sections before placing in your trash.Hangers: Place in curbside trash.String Lights: Look for local drop-off options.Hoses: Remove the metal ends and take to a specialty recycler or cut the hose into smaller sections before placing in your trash.Wire: Look for local options that will buy old wire or take to a specialty recycler.They disposed of each one before leading him to a small group they called … the Recycling Raccoon Squad.

Three raccoons meet on the street at night: one in a denim jacket with a purple mohawk, Frank in his teal bandana, and one in a plaid cap.

Michigan is the place to be this summer!

Posted on by Samuel Batali
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Do you find yourself wondering, “Where can I take this pile of old batteries?” or, “Are there any events happening in Michigan this week?” If so, the Recycling Raccoon Squad has your back!

Check out these upcoming events below!

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Want more details? Check the drop-down!

View the full event list

 

Extra, Extra — Read All About It: Paper Recycling’s Journey

Posted on by Samuel Batali
Paper Journey website content graphic: Paper MAINHeader 002

Did you know, thanks to recycling, your used paper doesn’t just disappear? It’s made into a slew of new items! ’Tis true. Take it from me, resident paper expert and bagpipe enthusiast Paper MacKay.

I’ve spent years getting my paws on all types of recyclable paper and have even toured a facility or two to get a behind-the-scenes look at the process. And trust me when I tell you, the journey your recycled paper goes on is truly magical.

First

It starts when your newspapers, magazines and envelopes (aye, even the ones with plastic windows on ’em) first enter your curbside recycling cart. Come pickup day, these items will be ferried off to a local recycling facility. As long as no other items in your bin have contaminated your paper (think food waste from unwashed glass or cheese residue in a pizza box), facility workers will sort and send that paper on to the next step.

Next

Once sorted and given the green light, your paper gets fed to a shredder! It’s torn asunder and made into a papery pulp.

Paper Journey website content graphic: Paper PopUp 002

This pulpy masterpiece is then washed to break down its fibers. Fun fact: One of the reasons paper recycling is so successful is because of these fibers! Unlike other materials that can be repurposed only two or three times, paper can be repurposed five to seven times before its fibers are too short and weak to be used again. Talk about high-fiber content!

Last

Once that pulp has taken a nice bath to break down the fibers, the big dogs (large rollers) come out. These are used to flatten the pulp and help it dry out into — you guessed it — new paper! This flattened and dried product is used as the base for a variety of new paper products, including:

  • Cereal boxes
  • Paper towels
  • Fast-food bags
  • Egg cartons
  • & more!

And that’s all she wrote when it comes to the life cycle of paper recycling! While the journey is as fascinating as it is pleasant, the environmental benefits of paper recycling cannot be understated either. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recycling just 1 ton of paper can save 380 gallons of oil, 7,000 gallons of water and enough energy to power the average American home for up to six months!

So, the next time you’re putting an envelope in your recycling bin or wheeling your cart to the curb, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

Paper Journey website content graphic: Paper BottoomHeader 001

The Plastic Recycling Process? That’s No Secret.

Posted on by Samuel Batali
Plastic Journey website content graphic: Plastic MAINHeader 002

Your recycling cart is just the first stop in a pretty amazing process. Trust me — Nyla P. Lastic. I’ve got the deets to show how sweet plastic recycling can be.

Plastic Journey website content graphic: Plastic BenefitHeader 001
Plastic Journey website content graphic: Plastic PopUp 002

First things first: It’s important to know your recycled plastic gets used to make all kinds of new items. Not only does it take less energy, water and other natural resources to create an item from recycled material, but recycled plastic can also make up 100% of the item it’s creating!

Let’s get into it!

After the ever-anticipated day arrives, your recycling truck takes off toward a local recycling center.

Then?

Your recyclables get sorted out! Non-recyclable items are removed (including any plastic bags), materials get grouped by color and the remaining recyclables get cubed into bales.

Plastic Journey website content graphic: Plastic PopUp Bales 002

The cube holding your item may be transferred to another recycling center at this point. Whether it heads on out or stays in the same place, the bale is cut up into small plastic flakes.

Next.

The flakes get washed to rid them of any remaining contaminants. This is also where your hard work rinsing your containers shines. Your effort helps keep excess residue out of the containers — which means fewer rounds of washing!

From there …

Your plastic items are dried and melted so they can finally become all sorts of new items!

Nyla says, for example …

  • Shampoo containers
  • Grocery bags
  • Yoga mats
  • Footwear
  • Backpacks
  • More recycling bins
  • & even more!
Plastic Journey website content graphic: Plastic BenefitFooter 002

Want eeeeeven more? Hear from our human friends at EGLE and Cascade Engineering in this video: https://recyclingraccoons.org/recycling-benefits/#Plastic

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