The Wyandot County Recycling Center recently announced changes to the types of plastics accepted for recycling. The recycling center will now be accepting #5 plastic containers, in addition to #1 and #2 plastic. Some of the most common food items that come in #5 plastic tubs include: yogurt, butter, cottage cheese, specialty dips, whipped topping, and individually portioned pudding/fruit cups.
“The recycling industry is dynamic, with new technology driving what we can recycle. The new PureCycle plant in Ohio is now able to process #5 plastic into reusable pellets to create new products,” says Stacie Roby, Wyandot County Recycling Center’s Education and Outreach Coordinator. “This is an exciting change due to the large number of containers made from #5 plastic. Being able to recycle #5 plastic will make a big impact on reducing the amount of trash going into landfills. It is a big step toward sustainability and circularity in manufacturing, allowing for resources to be optimized and waste minimized. Consumers can help by recycling their plastic containers, fulfilling the demand for recycled materials.”
Recyclable plastic containers are typically labeled with a recycling symbol and a number to indicate what type of plastic. The Wyandot County Recycling Center now takes #1 Polyethylene terephthalate (♳ PET/PETE), #2 High-Density polyethylene (♴ HDPE), and #5 Polypropylene (♷ PP) plastics.
Residents can recycle #5 plastic containers at any location where the Wyandot County Recycling Center accepts plastic. This means that #5 plastic containers will be accepted as part of the curbside recycling programs in Carey, Sycamore, and Upper Sandusky. Carey residents can also drop off plastic, cardboard, glass, and aluminum at Carey’s recycling trailers located at the dog park on Elm Hill Road. Residents in other villages in Wyandot County will be able to recycle their #5 plastics when the weekend recycling trailer comes to their village. Anyone is welcome to drop off recyclables, including #5 plastics, at the Wyandot County Recycling Center during normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8am – 4:30pm and Saturdays 8am – 12pm.
Please empty and rinse containers out before recycling. Lids can be kept on containers. Remove and throw straws away before recycling #1 and #5 plastic cups.
The Wyandot County Recycling Center handles recycling for the county, villages, and Upper Sandusky. The recycling center and self-serve drive-thru is located at 11385 County Highway 4 south of Carey, Ohio.