Re:Texan used Apple AirTags to discover plastics in Houston ...
by fallinghawks on Sunday September 01, 2024 @04:55PM
(#41420319)
Our recycling company can't even just name the numbers that are recyclable. They give us a list of examples and name some items, but it's nowhere near comprehensive even for some things commonly used. For example, reusable plastic food storage containers (tupperware-like items) are not listed. To-go containers are prohibited, but these are heavier, more durable plastic.
If something seems recyclable, I'll throw it in on the chance that the sorters will accept it, rather than guaranteeing it goes to the landfill by putting it in the trash bin.
Properly sorting stuff is hard. You can't just look at whether something is vaguely plastic-ish or paper-ish, you actually have to inspect every single item for the recycling label. There are dozens of tiny gotchas to stumble over.
Luckily we don't actually need to do all that. There are automated plants which can take in a mixed domestic waste stream, and separate out things like metal and the various forms of plastic. This means you no longer have to worry about people sorting it incorrectly, and you no longer have to worry about people who can't be bothered to sort at all. It's a win-win, really.