Are cans with wrapped labels recyclable?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by beernuts, Aug 19, 2016.

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  1. beernuts

    beernuts Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2014 Virginia

    You know the ones, the label feels like plastic. Can you recycle these without removing the label?
     
  2. AZBeerDude72

    AZBeerDude72 Initiate (0) Jun 10, 2016 Arizona

    I am sort of thinking this is a gag post since it is a really strange topic.
     
  3. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes.
     
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  4. beernuts

    beernuts Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2014 Virginia

    no gag, just something that's been on the edge of my mind for a while, I thought I'd finally try and find out. Google was inconclusive.

    thanks!
     
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  5. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Glad you asked, as I've wondered as well but never thought to ask one of the pros. I'd say that @cavedave is the right source to answer the question and now I don't have to feel I should avoid wrapped cans in the future.
     
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  6. PapaGoose03

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

    To take the 'yes' answer a step further for an explanation, when the aluminium is melted for recycling, the plastic wrap just burns away.
     
  7. ceeg

    ceeg Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2010 New York

    So, we're helping and hurting the environment at the same time!
     
  8. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Yep.

    The solution to that problem is a "which is worse" answer. The cleanest solution is don't buy canned beer at all. That eliminates several problems all at once. :-)
     
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  9. DrumKid003

    DrumKid003 Initiate (0) Aug 10, 2013 Oklahoma

    When in doubt just tosh it in the trash bin with the rest of the non-recyclable stuff. Besides, from what I've seen, recyclable guidelines seem to vary from location to location, so I'm not sure I would trust people from other states that are responding to your query.
     
  10. AZBeerDude72

    AZBeerDude72 Initiate (0) Jun 10, 2016 Arizona

    Exactly, in my state our recycle allows glass, plastic, paper, metals, etc. So there is zero issue. I don't really worry about it to be honest, I consider recycling as something I do to help out, if I toss some items into reg trash oh well, life will go on, it is not that finite that we catch every scrap, I think people obsess over little stuff.
     
  11. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    Well I am a green guy. Nothing compostable, re-usable, or recyclable goes into the trash. Zero. And I manage a recycle facility, and study recycling as part of the job, and pull many thousands of pounds of recyclable materials from the waste stream..

    It is far better to recycle a can with plastic sleeve than it is to add it to the waste problem and have to mine and process bauxite for the next can.

    At some point it will be a crime to discard recyclable items. It should be a crime now.
     
  12. AZBeerDude72

    AZBeerDude72 Initiate (0) Jun 10, 2016 Arizona

    I would not go far as calling it a crime considering the waste that our government commits daily. Yes, we all can do our part with making things better I agree. I know I make efforts to recycle and show my kids the same direction but I am not religious about each item. I understand your point of view but we cannot criminalize people for tossing a piece of plastic into the wrong bin, if anything that would sour people to the entire idea. I think most people are pretty good about making efforts to help, I would not want to punish people for this, that seems little too extreme.
     
  13. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    Not to derail the thread but when you put things into the trash they don't magically disappear.

    I wish sometimes I had the luxury of being able to disregard blissfully what happens due to my actions and inactions on this planet.

    Ideally all beer should be in returnable, reusable glass bottles, and new glass bottles would only need to be made when the supply runs short.
     
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  14. AZBeerDude72

    AZBeerDude72 Initiate (0) Jun 10, 2016 Arizona

    I agree with you on a lot of this. All I am saying is that no one is perfect and we all are busy so yes at times I don't do my part but as a whole I do pretty good with it. Just saying we are not all bad because we are not 100% all the time. I look at recycle years ago and today we are so much better than before. I do agree that if we can re-use items then we should to avoid waste.
     
  15. PapaGoose03

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

    Well I sure hope that EPA says that the fumes from the plastic that burns off are captured and scrubbed before going into the atmosphere, but I don't know that for a fact.
     
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  16. TonyLema1

    TonyLema1 Pooh-Bah (2,890) Nov 19, 2008 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    I guess growlers are the way to go!
     
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  17. dmbforever

    dmbforever Initiate (0) May 8, 2013 Wisconsin
    Trader

    Looks like the OP got his answer.

    Note: we all should recycle, it's really easy to do no matter what part of the world you live in.

    Cheers!
     
    cavedave likes this.
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