After three years of Pay As You Throw (PAYT), most residents are familiar with both the PAYT system which includes blue bags for recycling.
If the blue bag contains significant materials that are non-recyclable or contaminated, the waste hauler will leave them behind with a sticker on the bag indicating why the bag was left. If this happens to you, be sure to call us at 760-2712 and we will work with you to determine why the hauler left your blue bag behind.
By far the biggest reason why blue bags are rejected at the curb is because the blue bag contains plastics that are not recyclable. We only collect materials that can be marketed, so only plastic bottles with the number 1 or number 2 on the bottom are recyclable. Look on the bottom of the container for a triangle with a number inside of it. Our program recycles bottles with the number 1 or number 2 inside the triangle. Numbers 3-7 are not recyclable in our municipal program.
Sometimes residents do not know what a bottle is. A bottle is defined as a container with a neck, which means the top of the container is narrower than the body of the container. Secondly, the bottle with a neck must have a screw-on cap to be recyclable. So, look for the number 1 or 2 inside the triangle on the bottom of plastic bottles and then recycle it if it has a screw-on cap. It is that simple.
An example of what is not recyclable is a container without a neck, which is called a wide-mouth. Examples of wide-mouth containers include butter and yogurt containers. There are also containers labeled 2 on the bottom that have push-on lids that are not recyclable like those with screw-on caps.
Occasionally residents will include other number 2 containers that are not bottles such as clear plastic berry boxes. The plastic berry boxes often contained strawberries or blueberries. These “clamshell” boxes are not bottles and are not recyclable even though they may be labeled with a number 2 on the bottom.
Also remember that film plastic is not recyclable in our program. Film plastics can include plastic shopping bags, plastic stretch wrap, and bags that contained wood pellets or water softener salt.
By applying a few simple rules, you can be assured that the plastics you set out for recycling will be acceptable in our program. If you have any questions, we would be happy to answer your questions if you contact us at phone number or email address below. Information can also be found on the city’s website at presqueislemaine.gov.
Dana H. Fowler, P.E., is public services director for the city of Presque Isle. He can be reached at 760-2707 or via email at dfowler@presqueisleme.us.
