Montgomery County, Maryland, now allows single-family homes to add PET containers to county recycling bins, helped by US$63,000 grant from SPI, NAPCOR

Kathryn Mackenzie

LEGGETT, Maryland , June 29, 2012 (press release) – Further enhancing Montgomery County’s reputation as a leader in recycling, County Executive Ike Leggett today announced that beginning immediately residents of single-family homes receiving County recycling pick ups can now add PET thermoform plastics to their recycling bins.

PET plastic is used to make items such as cups and rigid packaging. It is a transparent, lightweight, strong, safe, shatterproof and recyclable packaging material suitable for many products. PET is commonly used to package fresh fruits and vegetable, bakery items, prepared foods and salads, and deli items.

PET containers are easily identified by the #1 code on or near the bottom.

Learn more about PET.

“I am especially pleased to make this announcement because this is something that residents have been asking for,” said Leggett. “Thanks to the efforts of the Division of Solid Waste Services’ staff and their diligence in identifying new markets for the things you want to recycle, we can stand here and say ‘Now you can recycle PET#1 containers.’”

“We’re very excited to add recycling of PET thermoform plastics to the already extensive list of materials we accept for recycling,” said Dan Locke, chief of the Division of Solid Waste Services. “This type of packaging material is becoming more widely used and is increasingly present in the waste stream. Forecasts indicate that the amount of PET thermoforms used will increase even more over time. We’re pleased to be able to provide our residents with the opportunity to recycle all of this material.”

Montgomery County received a $63,000 grant from the Plastics Industry Trade Association (SPI) and the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), which is being used toward costs of implementing this pet thermoform plastics recycling program.

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