If you’re used to recycling, you know that there are many rules for what goes in the recycling bin depending on where you live. They’re ever-changing, which can lead to confusion. Show From the most recyclable materials on the planet to things you should never recycle, there are so many questions to answer: Are bottle caps recyclable? Can I throw my plastic bottle into a recycling bin with cardboard? What do those plastic recycling numbers really mean? That first question comes up most often, so let’s tackle the answer. Why is recycling bottle caps important?Bottle caps may seem like a small thing, but those little bottle caps can have a big impact on the environment. In a Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii study, researchers found that 100 percent of albatross chicks in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands had ingested plastic. Yes, all of them. And bottle caps were on that list. In fact, plastic caps and lids are one of the top ten items found during marine debris beach clean-ups. But did you know that many U.S. cities still don’t have the technology to recycle plastic bottle caps? It makes the question, “Are bottle caps recyclable?” even more complicated. Let’s investigate the bottle cap mystery and find out how they’re recycled, where they’re accepted, and what to do if your city doesn’t take them. Are bottle caps recyclable?There are two different types of bottle caps: metal and plastic. You may think you can just throw them into the recycling bin, but first, you’ll want to find out if your local recycling location accepts both types of bottle caps. If your local recycling company doesn’t accept plastic bottle caps, you’ll need to remove them. “Plastic bottle caps are a really difficult thing to recycle because they are a different resin and typically have a seal inside [that’s] hard to separate,” says Mike Wolf, warehouse supervisor for Pacific Steel in Missoula, Montana. “When people leave the plastic caps on, when the stuff is processed, it gets bailed.” “Of course, it varies by region,” adds Wolf, “but around Missoula, there’s no way to recycle the plastic caps.” Are bottle caps recyclable in your area? There’s an easy way to find out. Simply call or visit your local Public Works or Department of Sanitation’s website. You can also search Earth911.com for plastic bottle cap recycling locations. If your area is able to recycle plastic bottle caps, however, the advice actually flips! According to the Association of Plastic Recyclers, “You do not need to remove the caps from your plastic water bottle before recycling them.” They continue, “While some people think removing the caps helps with sorting at the recycling facility, the opposite is in fact true.” Instead, if you can recycle plastic bottle caps in your city, simply crush your plastic bottle, twist your plastic cap back on, and throw it in the recycling bin. How to recycle metal bottle capsStill asking yourself, “Are bottle caps recyclable?” Wolf notes that, while plastic bottle caps present numerous issues, “Metal bottle caps are no problem.” The same is true in nearly every U.S. city, but if you’re unsure, you can search on Earth911.com to find the nearest recycling facility in your area that takes metal bottle caps. But the plot thickens even more, because while areas that accept plastic bottle caps prefer you to keep the cap on, they have different guidelines for metal caps. Napa Recycling and Waste Service experts in Napa, California give this advice: “Bottle caps are recyclable, but they often get lost during the recycling process because of their small size. Put your [metal] bottle caps in a steel food can, and when it’s nearly full, crimp or pinch it closed and recycle the can and its contents together.” It’s easier than it sounds— learn how here. Recycling bottle caps cheat sheetHere are the steps you can take to always recycle your bottle caps correctly:
Now that you know more about how to recycle your plastic and metal bottle caps, there’s so much more you can learn about recycling! Find out how to recycle old clothes or whether your gift-wrapping paper is recyclable. Sources: Originally Published: February 14, 2022 When you donate bottle caps for charity, you are not only helping out individuals in need, you are also avoiding sending your bottle caps to a landfill. While there are not a lot of charities that will let people donate bottle caps and turn them into funds for those in need, there are a few.
In the past, an email was circulated that asked individuals to collect large numbers of bottle caps that would be redeemed for one chemotherapy treatment for a patient in need. When this chain message caught on, especially in the regions of Virginia and West Virginia, large corporations like Walmart got involved in the bottle cap raising efforts. After digging deeper, it became apparent the entire cap drive was a hoax. The scheme became so widespread, the American Cancer Society issued a statement. If you are ever asked to collect bottle caps for charity, be on guard - most charities do not do anything with bottle caps.
Not many nonprofits collect bottle caps. The value of plastic is so low that many charities have found collecting caps to not be worth the effort. However, there are a couple that will accept donated bottle caps.
Envision is a charitable organization that collects bottle caps and uses them to make benches for schools, parks, churches, and community centers. They are also used to make equipment for schools, bricks for community garden centers, and tables for playgrounds and schools. Bottle caps can be dropped off at several locations, however they may not accept them during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, so check with them first.
Ronald McDonald House Charities collects metal pop tabs and partners with United Scrap Metal who buys them at market value. United Scrap Metal also makes an additional donation when purchasing the pop metal tabs. The funds go towards the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which supports families who have a child who has been hospitalized.
Because of the decreased value of plastic caps, many charities have repositioned their efforts to other types of donations, including caps made of different materials. Whether they collect their packaging for recycling or make donations based on items sold, these efforts make a difference in the world. 
Since most people don't recycle bottle caps, they tend to end up in oceans where birds and marine life regularly mistake caps for food. Recycle your caps at select Whole Foods stores, or use their mail in option to keep them out of landfills. Keep in mind that they do request that you allow your box of recyclables to sit for seven days prior to mailing in due to COVID-19.
The Aveda Full Circle Recycling Program helps keep their packaging out of landfills by collecting it. Bring your Aveda packaging and accessories to Aveda Centers throughout the United States. Aveda takes products not accepted by city recycling programs. They use this plastic and the materials in making new packaging or accessories. The company accepts everything from jars, tubes, pumps, brushes and more.
If you are crafty, you can take beer caps, or any other metal bottle cap, and turn them into jewelry, coasters, decorative magnets, and anything else you can dream up. If you opt to sell your bottle cap crafts, you can later donate the money. In this way, you are able to make a difference with something as simple as bottle caps.
Extra bottle caps can be recycled, sold, donated, or used to make a craft. Any money you make can then be donated to the charity of your choice.
If you have a lot of bottle caps, you can consider selling them on Etsy or eBay. While you can't make a ton of money, for an assortment of around 400 caps, you can make about $10.
If your local recycling facility accepts bottle caps, you can turn them in there. If not, you can send them to TerraCycle.
If you would like to use your bottle caps to help a charity, there are plenty of options to choose from. Brainstorm to come up with an effective list of ways to utilize your time, talent, and resources to benefit others. © 2022 LoveToKnow Media. All rights reserved. |
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