Due to oversaturated markets for recycled plastic, the Polk County Recycling Center’s ability to ship plastic hit a roadblock in October. It had basically been unable to ship pigmented (colored) No. 2 plastic since January, but since October, is now unable to ship No. 1 plastic. With an increase in the volume of plastic the center receives, its processing capabilities are maxed out and to provide relief for the operation, the decision was made to stop recycling pigmented No. 2 plastic.
This type of plastic only accounts for 15% of the center’s total plastic intake, but it is the hardest plastic for the volunteers to bale. The cardboard balers are not ideal for baling plastic and storing loose plastic also consumes a lot of space. The infrastructure that would be needed to be able to adequately bale more material is currently out of reach.
“While it’s very unfortunate and discouraging, this change will provide relief for our operation, and it allows us to continue recycling the other plastics,” an email from Polk County Recycling & Beautification (PCRB), the nonprofit organization that operates the Polk County Recycling Center, said. “Opaque No. 1 plastic is considered a contaminant in our bales and is sorted out, so basically, if you can’t see into it, we won’t recycle it. We will now only recycle transparent or translucent (clear or cloudy) bottles, jugs, and jars, No. 1 and No. 2 plastic only. Small-scale plastics recycling is very difficult. We appreciate your support and hope you understand that this change is necessary for our program to continue.”
PCRB partnered with Polk County to provide a reliable recycling service for the residents of East Texas and is sustained by grants, donations and the sale of recyclable materials. Located at 10311 N. Hwy. 146 in Livingston at the intersection of Hwy. 146 and FM 2665, the Polk County Recycling Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays.
