Quota Club of Alliance got a lesson in recycling during a recent meeting. 

Wendy Bullock, outreach coordinator for Stark Tuscarawas Wayne Recycling District, recently spoke to members. 

During the discussion, Bullock pointed out that Plastics 1-7 never meant that all plastics 1-7 can be recycled. 

She said it's necessary to have a market to sell the plastic after it has been processed. Both infrastructure and marketing need to be in place for effective recycling to take place, Bullock said. 

She showed off different types of items that are made from recycled plastic, including such things as T-shirts, carpeting, stuffed animal toys and lawn furniture.

Bullock said items like clamshell plastics, such as containers for strawberries, can’t be recycled. That type of plastic is processed differently than water bottles. 

Because of the different process, clamshell plastic will ruin an entire batch of recyclables. Bullock said plastic bottles with necks like milk jugs, detergent bottles and water bottles can be recycled. Just rinse and place the cap back on the bottle. Leaving the cap on makes it easier to be recycled at the county recycling center.

For a load of recyclables to be sold, it must have a contamination rate of less than 25%. Contamination means non-recyclables are mixed in a load. With more than 25%, the load of recyclables will not be accepted by markets. 

Stark Tuscarawas Wayne Recycling District has a contamination rate of 22%. Two years ago, loads were 65% contaminated. 

In 2018, 8.7% of plastic in the US was recycled. 

Bullock said it takes one-quarter of a liter of fossil fuel to make a 1-liter bottle. That liter bottle will not biodegrade or decompose. Once it is made, it will always be with us.

In order to responsibly handle hazardous waste in the STW district, residents can take hazardous waste to the Canton Recyle Center, 742 Shroyer Ave. NE in Canton. An appointment is necessary by calling 800-678-9839 or by checking www.timetorecycle.org.

Quota Club members received "Time to Recycle" straws from Bullock during the meeting. The club always is looking for new members. Check out www.alliancequota.org for more information.