Recycling plastic can carriers in Chicago area

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by RickBelgique, May 25, 2022.

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  1. RickBelgique

    RickBelgique Crusader (447) Jul 16, 2014 Illinois

    https://news.wttw.com/2022/05/23/ha...can-carriers-it-s-waste-chicago-breweries-are

    "There’s an entire corner of the internet devoted to warnings about the dangers plastic six-pack rings pose to wildlife, a point driven home by graphic images of birds, dolphins and turtles caught in the circular snares.

    By contrast, alternative packaging for the four-packs and six-packs sold by craft breweries has been billed as comparatively eco-friendly. Best known by the brand name PakTech, these sturdy plastic snap-on can carriers are labeled as 100% recyclable.

    That designation is true, just not when it comes to the single-stream recycling programs favored by cities like Chicago. The carriers either get rejected by facilities because of their tendency to snarl recycling equipment or they escape detection by sorting machinery. As a result, millions of them wind up in landfills, despite consumers’ and breweries’ best intentions."

    Midwest Coast Brewing is even offering free beer, as high as your stack of carriers, up to a pint.

    Here's a map of participating locations - https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewe...UBLUM1&ll=41.82229150730577,-88.04912085&z=10
     
  2. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    "Millions wind up in landfills."

    Hmm. I need to check my service to see what they're saying about the ring carriers.
     
  3. mbockstruck30

    mbockstruck30 Pooh-Bah (1,800) Dec 31, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I know that Lake Effect Brewing also re-uses them, not sure how many others. I throw all of mine in a bag and drop them off there when it’s filled.
     
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  4. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    One of my local, independent retailers takes them back and re-uses them for singles. Might have to start bringing mine there.

    Vicious circle. :grimacing::wink:
     
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  5. HouseofWortship

    HouseofWortship Pooh-Bah (2,735) May 3, 2016 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Plastic recycling is a myth created by the people who, you know, sell the plastic. Concerned about the effect of plastic in the environment? Stop buying plastic.
     
  6. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    He proclaimed from his cell phone, laptop, or desktop device. :confused:
     
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  7. HouseofWortship

    HouseofWortship Pooh-Bah (2,735) May 3, 2016 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I didn't say I was concerned. :wink:
     
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  8. RickBelgique

    RickBelgique Crusader (447) Jul 16, 2014 Illinois

    Then why bother replying?
     
  9. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

  10. HouseofWortship

    HouseofWortship Pooh-Bah (2,735) May 3, 2016 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    To inform others.
     
  11. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

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  12. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Reading it, I seem to remember seeing a parallel story on 60 Minutes. Ashamed to say I'd forgotten it. :confused:
     
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  13. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

  14. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    At least you haven't been "recycling" them with full confidence in your waste management provider. :confused:
     
  15. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Our town charges us extra to recycle - it makes no sense - so we've never done it. We just try to use as little plastic as possible, although that is very difficult.
     
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  16. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Wait...we're all dying!?
     
  17. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Yike. That stinks.
     
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  18. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Must be easy to forget it; I don't remember it either. Maybe you're thinking of another source.
     
  19. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I remember a video story about China stopping all recycle acceptance and the plastics piling up with nowhere to go.
     
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  20. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Now that you mention it......
     
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