D.C. Issued New Regulations to Expand War on Waste
For instance, under the plastic category, no plastic bags, straws and plastic utensils nor items made from foam polystyrene that is often mistaken for styrofoam – can be recycled. Styrofoam containers can be recycled.
SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Under the motto of “Zero Waste,” the D.C. Department of Public Works has issued new regulations, effective Jan. 1, expanding the number of items that are required to be recycled. The list is now the same for residential and commercial users. But there is some confusion.
For instance, under the plastic category, no plastic bags, straws and plastic utensils nor items made from foam polystyrene that is often mistaken for styrofoam – can be recycled. Styrofoam containers can be recycled.
People get them confused. Polystyrene is a dense product used in insulation and such. By definition, it is hard to break up and recycle. While a lighter polystyrene is used in some food containers and while easier to recycle, it is still prohibited.
Bulky plastic items such as old buckets can be recycled as long as they are clean.
Pizza boxes can now be recyclable along with other paper goods, along with magazines, newspapers, books and phone books, junk mail and office paper. However, pizza boxes as well as paper and plastic plates, cups, bottles and other food containers must be clean and empty of any trace of organic material in order to be recycled.
The same goes for metal and glass items, including steel and aluminum bottles, cans and containers. Paint cans are still not accepted.
As for glass recyclables, no windows or ceramics are accepted.
Still almost all food service containers can now be recycled. But they must be larger than two inches by two inches. And all must be clean and empty. They are not recyclable if they contain organic waste.
Courtesy: https://wasteadvantagemag.com