Recycling facilities are constantly innovating to overcome the many hurdles in waste management. They are developing new ways to recycle items once relegated to landfills. The article https://pembrokecitizenjournal.com/trash-talk-food-in-recycling/ mentions that pizza boxes and yogurt containers, previously banned from recycling, are now accepted. This new advancement, allowing lined paper cups in the curbside recycling bin, is a waste management and environmental win.
Paper mills can now separate the plastic or wax lining used for paper cups. This process is called hydropulping--or wet pulping. Paper cups are dumped into a large, blender-like vat and soaked in water. Because plastic and wax are water-resistant, they do not break down. The paper absorbs the water and the fibers separate. Once the paper matter becomes a slurry, the pulp is screened and separated from the plastic and wax.
The paper pulp then goes through a separate washing and de-inking process before being remanufactured into new products. Clear plastic cups labeled #5 are also recyclable (iced coffee cups); colored plastic cups are not. Remember, although the cups are now recyclable, the plastic lids and straws are not.
If you are interested in having a recycling or waste question answered in a future Trash Talk article, please email Nicole Lydic at nicole.lydic@pembrokecitizenjournal.com
