Plastics may be left out of county recycling plans
By Richard Blanchard

Adding polystyrene and other plastic materials to Simcoe County blue boxes would create more problems for the municipal recycling program.

In a report to the corporate services committee recently, environment manager Rob McCullough said that residents have asked for the addition of polystyrene, film plastic, and plastic clam shells and trays, to the recycling program.

"Staff do not recommend that these items be included in an expanded curbside recycling program at this time," he said.

McCullough added, as an example, that Styrofoam products found in packing peanuts, disposable plates and coffee cups, meat trays and some kinds of insulation "are made of different grades of polystyrene including expanded and extruded material and it is important to note that processors do not accept all types of polystyrene. This complicates public education and increases the likelihood of contamination."

McCullough says similar issues are seen with film plastic seen in food wrapping material and plastic clam shells and trays.