How come we have to separate plastic?

      EVERYTHING that gets recycled on MAUI goes to different places, including different plastics.  Different number plastics, found usually on the bottom of the item, are as different from one another to the processor as an aluminum can thrown in! 

      If you don't separate it, then the drivers must take time to do so, which costs us money, and eventually YOU money. If it is delivered "as is" to the processors, this frustrates the processor, who must then separate it, and/or, more likely just toss it in the garbage.... whether recyclable or not. They also charge us more as a contamination fee.... 

      We believe in supporting local businesses first. The number 2 plastic that we pickup is brought to Aloha plastics, here on Maui, which turns it into plastic lumber, picnic tables, etc... Even though the county drop bins will take MIXED number 1 and 2 plastic together, that plastic is NOT brought to Aloha plastic and we are told is being shipped to China. 

      So, support MAUI..... separate your plastic!

How does one tell the difference between #1 and #2 plastic

      The best way to tell different plastics from each other is, of course, to read the bottom of the item. But we know that often it is difficult to read them. Below are a few examples of the two types of plastic we can take. Some items are easy to tell apart, like milk jugs, most bleach containers and shampoo bottles are number 2, while most small water and soda are number 1.

      The plastics industry is VERY confusing on some items..... ketchup, vegetable oil, etc... may LOOK like a number 1, when several are actually number 5 or 7 and NOT recyclable here so PLEASE, if it isn't obvious, check the number on the bottom!!