Discussion » Questions » Environment » Have you noticed more packaging materials made from plastic having a 'no recycling' symbol on them?

Have you noticed more packaging materials made from plastic having a 'no recycling' symbol on them?

I don't want to break the recycling rules, but this is hard to adapt to. I'm studying every item to see if it's recyclable now. I hope it's because they're already made from recycled materials and can't be recycled again, but maybe they've figured out they can't recycle some things? Anyone here know more? 

Posted - April 24, 2022

Responses


  • 23431
    I don't know. I sometimes spend minutes looking and looking and looking for a number. Yes. Sometimes I fail. (I'm not quite so attractive or young as this guy, ha.)




    And my city's recycling program only accepts numbers 1 and 2. But I have countless big bags of other- numbers-recyclable items that I've not yet taken somewhere that will accept them.
      April 24, 2022 7:57 PM MDT
    3

  • 10052
    I'm going to stop complaining! My city takes most, but they sent a letter that I think was referring to these 'no recycling' plastics that I've been seeing, but I'm not sure. 

    On a positive note, I've been seeing more products made from plants that used to be plastic. So that's good news, I think. 
      April 24, 2022 8:01 PM MDT
    3

  • 23431
    Cool.  :)
      April 24, 2022 8:05 PM MDT
    3

  • 17570
    No.   I buy as little plastic as possible.  I will choose a product over a competitor simply because the packaging is not plastic.  I don't study plastic though; I just throw it away.
      April 24, 2022 9:22 PM MDT
    3

  • 10052
    Yes, it's tough to avoid plastics.

    I'll adjust and eventually learn what is and isn't recyclable now. Then they'll change it again! :)
      April 25, 2022 8:01 PM MDT
    1

  • 13277
    I have never understood why all plastic is not recyclable.
      April 24, 2022 9:41 PM MDT
    2

  • 10052
    I know, right? 
      April 26, 2022 4:52 PM MDT
    1

  • 16646
    Soft plastics (LDPE) such as clingfilm are generally not recyclable. Hard plastics can be, but unless a number is stamped into it, it is too difficult (and expensive) to identify the type of plastic and thus the correct recycling procedure.
      April 24, 2022 11:08 PM MDT
    2

  • 10052
    Thanks!

    I've resorted to only recycling items that are marked, even though I believe some are still accepted. It's just gotten more complicated than when there were just a few 'no' items. 
      April 25, 2022 8:06 PM MDT
    0

  • 33867
    No. But our McDonald's has went from plastic cups to paper and from paper wrapped straws to plastic wrapped straws. (Straws are still plastic)
      April 25, 2022 6:04 AM MDT
    2

  • 10052
    Weird. I wish people would stop littering. If they're not going to recycle, at least dispose of things in a receptacle, please! 
      April 26, 2022 4:46 PM MDT
    1

  • 44553
    All of the answers are irrelevant, since only a small percentage of plastics are actually recycled.
      April 25, 2022 7:40 AM MDT
    1

  • 10052
    I think that's part of the issue. 
      April 26, 2022 4:47 PM MDT
    0

  • 10567
    That's because most aren't recyclable.  In this state only a couple of plastic items can be recycled. WM put cameras in their trucks so if you have anything they don't want in your recycle bin they fine you.  Recycling has become a joke.
      April 25, 2022 10:55 AM MDT
    2

  • 10052
    Wow. I can't believe that about cameras and fining! I guess I do believe it. I wish it was hard to believe. 

    It's disheartening. 
      April 26, 2022 4:48 PM MDT
    1

  • 2217

    Rules vary and can be too complicated to bother with. 

    In theory a 'no recycling' label should help, but I seriously doubt that it doesn't cope with variations between jurisdictions. 

      April 25, 2022 11:20 AM MDT
    2

  • 10052
    I do think I could research my city's policies a bit more. I'm not just going to give up altogether, but I've been spending too much time on this! 
      April 26, 2022 4:51 PM MDT
    0