Jan 3, 2017 at 9:00 AM

By Debbie Sullivan

Recycling plastics can be confusing.

The chasing arrows or triangle with the number in the center is a code that identifies the plastic resin type. Plastics manufacturers use this code, but it does not necessarily mean the plastic is recyclable.

Seven basic resin types are used to make thousands of different kinds of plastics. Dyes and other additives are added to basic resin to give the final product a desired color, shape and texture. These additives, along with the way that plastics are formed, impact the ability to recycle the plastic.

Recycled plastics must be carefully sorted by type before they can be melted down and reformed into new products. Placing your plastics in a recycling cart is just the beginning of the long process of sorting and reprocessing in order to recycle plastics.

Some plastics that can't be recycled, such as polystyrene (Styrofoam) and plastic bags, have limited markets and present haulers and processors with logistical challenges. Wind easily blows these light weight plastics, creating litter problems; they require large amounts of storage space; and they get tangled up in processing equipment.

Which plastics can I recycle? Think bottles and containers - all plastic food and beverage bottles under 2 gallons in size.

If the bottle contained motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, herbicides, adhesives, paints or solvents, it cannot be recycled. The residue from motor oil and chemicals seeps into the plastic and contaminates it.

Styrofoam cups and trays are not recyclable.

The only items that should be placed in the recycling cart are plastic containers, plastic and glass containers, paper/cardboard (broken down) and flatten.

The items in the cart should not be in a plastic bags; any kind of plastic bag is not recyclable in the recycling cart. All items should be loose in the cart.

All containers should be clean before placing in the cart.

I will be checking the carts during the next few months to see if you have the your cart filled with recycling materials.

For more information regarding your recycling cart, you can go to the Town of Marshfield website, click on Residents, and second link down says trash/recycling.

You can contact me, Debbie Sullivan, Enforcement Officer trash/recycling dsullivan@townofmarshfield.org or call 781-831-3134.