How Empty is Empty?

Recycling should be a process in which clean, empty recyclable materials are sorted and baled then sent to the world market for reuse. Contaminants, however, prevent this process from not only going smoothly, but sometimes prevent it from going on at all.

Some commodities, such as metal, glass and sometimes even plastic, go through processes where small amounts of debris or contaminants don’t adversely affect the final product.

Small amounts of food or liquid left in soda bottles, vegetable cans or pickle jars will most likely not be at a contamination level that would render the whole load of recycling unusable.

Food Waste Recycling

Food waste recycling is the process of diverting food that would otherwise be sent to landfills to either compost facilities or anaerobic digesters.

“Anaerobic digestion occurs naturally, in the absence of oxygen, as bacteria breaks down organic materials and produces biogas, which can then be used as an energy source.”

Are Frozen Food Containers Recyclable?

Frozen food containers vary from pizza boxes, where the food is actually contained in a plastic bag or wrapping, to ones that you throw right into your microwave to cook in and eat out of.

Frozen pizza boxes resemble cereal and cracker boxes and are made of a cardboard material that is recyclable as-is.  The other style of frozen food container is a different story altogether.

Are Pet Food Bags Recyclable?

Purina puts a great deal of thought and research into the type of bags their pet food goes into,  Things like strength, durability, moisture control, and the ability to resist tearing are among the top priorities.   

and many factors are considered in this process.

Purina's material of choice to encompass all of these areas is polypropylene.  Although many of their criteria are met by using it and plastic is technically recyclable, some recycling centers are not yet equipped to recycle polypropylene.

How Can I Keep Food Waste Out Of My Trash?

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide for having the potential of causing or continuing global warming, is created by rotting food disposed in a landfill as it decomposes. 

Methane is also a flammable gas that can become dangerous if allowed to build up in concentration.