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This website was developed for the New York State Department of State with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.
Web Dagner ¦
Saturday 18 February, 2012
The bigger question: why aren't all our packaging materials marked with symbols indicating their composition in this way?
W. Dagner ¦
Saturday 18 February, 2012
For example, why aren't all plastic bags marked with the triangle 2,3,4, etc. symbol. The supermarkets only recycle 2 and 4 and threaten the entire load of bags if a non-conforming bag is in the lot.
Actually, I think it should be legislated that any bag with printing, must also print of its composition-type, or whatever that symbol is called. This leaves whether or not it can be recycled to the vagaries of the local situation. I would leave those bags without any printing out of the requirement for a few years to give the manufacturers time to catch up. But those bags that already have printing have no excuse for including this identification.
It is essential to print the composition-type on the item itself. If not on the bag itself, a consumer may feel compelled to put it in the trash and not recycling. Consumers should not be expected to memorize a list. Use point-of-use labeling.