Cape, Jackson limit plastics recycling because of market collapse

In bright-red lettering on the City of Cape Girardeau's solid waste and recycling website, the message is crystal clear.

"Effective immediately, plastic shopping bags, garbage bags and newspaper sleeves are no longer accepted in our Single Stream Recycling program due to changes in the worldwide use of recyclable materials."

A full description of the current status of city recycling may be found by visiting cityofcapegirardeau.org/departments/public_works/Solid_Waste_Recycling.

In Jackson, a similar message may be read on a placard at the county seat city's Recycling Center at 508 Sawyer Lane.

"Due to declining plastic markets, Jackson Recycling Center will no longer accept #3 thru #7 plastics."

Rejected plastics

• No. 3: plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, certain kinds of furniture made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
• No. 4: grocery bags, newspaper delivery sleeves, packaging encasing bread loaves and certain fresh produce made of low-density polyethylene.
• No. 5: food containers used for products such as yogurt, sour cream and margarine and for straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps made of polypropylene.
• No. 6: Styrofoam products made from PS (polystyrene), commonly used in disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers and to-go food containers.
• No. 7: products stamped with a "7" are often made of multiple plastic types or out of other types of plastic not easily recycled.

Acceptable plastics

• No. 1: bottles for soda, water and other drinks; cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars made from polyethylene terephthalate.
• No. 2: milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers and detergent bottles made of high-density polyethylene.

The problem

China, the world's biggest consumer of reusable U.S. waste, stopped accepting much of America's so-called recyclable garbage in 2018, including post-consumer plastic.

Many municipal programs have been forced to cut back on their programs, sending previously accepted plastic to landfills and incinerators.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Nov. 15 it wants to develop new markets for recycled materials so it will be worth it for companies to recycle — with financial incentives under consideration.