Although the recycling center is able to bale and sell much of the material dropped off at the recycling center, too much of it is unusable.
Unfortunately, many people are dumping trash or unrecyclable items in with the recyclable, making the entire batch unusable. Our center does not have the staffing available to sort through trash. There are containers set up in which people can deposit appropriate items.
The #1 and #2 plastics are very specific. Please DO NOT include the plastic clamshell food containers, or styrofoam of any kind. The items that can be recycled have a 1 or a 2 inside a small triangle on the bottom of the plastic container. Most of these types of containers have a screw-on type neck. Examples are: soda bottles, milk jugs, water bottles, etc.
Symbol 1: PETG or PETE
Symbol 1 with the acronym PETE PETG plastic. Also known as PETE, this symbol represents polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly used for soft drink bottles, mineral water containers, and fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. The plastic is easily recyclable so it’s often part of curbside recycling programs. It can be reused to make containers, carpet, and furniture.
Symbol 2: HDPE
Symbol 2 with the acronym HDPE indicates one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States, HDPE (which stands for high-density polyethylene). HDPE plastic is used for a number of different purposes but is widely considered the plastic of choice for containers for items like cleaning agents, milk, detergents, and washing soap thanks to its low weight and high strength.
To better understand what the symbols on plastic signifies, visit https://www.acmeplastics.com/content/your-guide-to-plastic-recycling-symbols/
Plastics that ARE NOT Recyclable at our Recycling Center
Why is it Important to Recycle?
If for no other reason, please recycle to help save cost. The City of Raton transfers tons of garbage to Levy, near Wagon Mound, to dispose of our trash properly. The landfill at Levy is lined so that toxins don’t leech into the soil. The leeching of toxins is one reason why our landfill was closed several years ago and another one not created. The cost of lining the landfill was prohibitive.
The garbage that is hauled to Levy cost the city not only for the trucks, fuel, and labor, but is paid by weight. The more we send to the landfill, the more it costs.
The items that are recycled, such as plastic, cardboard, aluminum, are baled and sold. Sometimes it is only a break-even amount, but that is better than paying for garbage.
Only a fraction of recyclables are actually recycled in Raton. But we can each do our part. Please recycle!