Resource Center
Truth in Labeling: Clearing Up Confusion at the Recycling Bin
How can you tell whether your plastic is recyclable?Byline: BTB Editor
February 16, 2023 / Time to read: 5 minIt’s likely that at some point, whether at home or at work, you’ve scanned your plastic container or packaging for the chasing arrows symbol before sorting your items into a recycling bin. These triangular arrows, often referred to as the "recycling symbol", can be found on products we use every day.
But did you know that the chasing arrow symbol typically indicates the type of plastic an item is made from, rather than if an item is recyclable?
Labels like these cause confusion around what items can actually be recycled, resulting in tons of non-recyclable products ending up in recycling carts each year. How can you tell whether your plastic is recyclable?
Making Recycling Simple
At Republic Services, we support creating clarity around plastics recycling in your place of business and in your community. We know that building a cleaner and more sustainable future requires meaningful solutions, which is why we supported California’s measure to pass our nation’s first law regulating the use of chasing arrows symbols on consumer packaging. Beginning in 2024, the symbol will only be used to indicate materials that can be recycled into new products and packaging, clearing up confusion at the recycling bin and reducing recycling contamination.
But we’re not stopping at labeling. We are dedicated to preserving natural resources by recovering and recycling key materials from the waste stream, which diverts these items from landfills and supports the circular economy.
The Polymer Center: Supporting the Circular Economy
Our innovative solution to increasing the circularity of recyclable materials is the Republic Services Polymer Center, the nation’s first integrated plastics recycling facility.
Our facility advances plastic circularity by implementing an integrated process to manage the plastics stream from curbside collection to the production and delivery of high-quality recycled content for consumer packaging.
The Polymer Center is set to open in Las Vegas and provide services in the West in 2023, with plans to open three to five more facilities in the future to provide coverage nationwide.
If you want to learn how we’re keeping our customers informed about recycling or read about Republic Services’ sustainability efforts, browse through our resource center!
