Razorback Recycling, which handles most recycling at the University of Arkansas, is now accepting all forms of plastic, numbers one through seven. Previously, Razorback Recycling could only accept numbers one and two. “This is a success story, you’re taking garbage and trash then making them assets, ”Gary Enzor, Razorback Recycling Coordinator, told Arkansas Traveler.¹
This improvement is another step in moving the University of Arkansas towards its goal of reaching 90% waste diversion by 2021. This will allow a large reduction of items that would be sent to the landfill, since the only plastic materials that cannot be recycled are contaminated items. However, contamination can be avoided by ensuring that the materials are devoid of leftover food or emptying liquids before placing them in a receptacle.
All recyclable plastic materials can be placed in any recycling bin on campus that is labeled as “cans and bottles” or “plastic bottles”. Aluminum and steel cans can also be placed in these bins, which are usually blue. Cardboard and paper will still be collected separately in their respective receptacles.
In 2015, The University of Arkansas diversion rate was close to 27%. The expansion of new plastics will certainly have a positive impact on our diversion rate, and will move the needle towards a 90% diversion rate by 2021.
In a world where almost every product consumed has some form of plastic packaging, understanding the distinctions between plastics can be difficult. Here is a chart to help connect the various plastics with everyday items:
In 2010, scientists estimated the total amount of plastic trash dumped in the ocean to be eight million tons. This is equivalent to “lining up five grocery bags of trash on every foot of coastline around the globe.” The amount of plastic items put into the ocean continues to increase every year and is expected to increase tenfold in the next decade, according to a 2015 National Geographic article.²
The magnitude of impact that this plastic will have on our oceans is still being researched, however it is clear that is will impact our food supply as the plastic negatively affects the oceanic food chain. The addition of new recyclable plastics at the U of A is a success on this front, as any amount of plastic diverted from entering our oceans and landfills has positive environmental impacts.
1. http://uatrav.com/news/article_1176ee26-e5a5-11e5-8ff5-3316dc9fe029.html?mode=jqm
2. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/02/150212-ocean-debris-plastic-garbage-patches-science/