What do I do with…?

Plastic

What’s with plastic? Plastic is an ingrained part of our everyday lives. Much of the plastic that is created has limited recycling options and low post-use financial value creating a variety of harmful consequences.

Why is plastic waste a problem? Plastic degrades into smaller and smaller pieces and is now part of the food chain through microplastic pollution. We don’t have adequate or sustainable systems to responsibly deal with the volume of plastic waste being created. It’s piling up in oceans, wildlife habitats, world cities urban and rural, and our landfills. Plastic takes thousands of years to decompose and contains many toxic chemicals.

Examples: containers, plastic bags, plastic plates, bowls and utensils, plastic cups, carpet, clothing (see Textiles), toys (see Toys), etc.

Reduce

• Buy in bulk using reusable containers, such as glass, metal, cloth or safe reusable plastic; All of these locations have a bulk fill section:

  • Good Food Store

  • Lucky’s Market

  • Albertsons

  • Butterfly Herbs

  • Pattee Creek Market

• Choose to purchase products that do not have plastic packaging or when avoid excessive packaging

• Choose to purchase plastic-free products or products with less plastic such as a bamboo toothbrush or a toothbrush with replacement heads

• Choose products containing plastic which is easily recycled in our area: Clear #1 PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) or translucent #2 HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

• Check out our Working Toward Plastic Free in Montana Facebook page for more tips!

Reuse

• Plastic Containers with 2”-wide or wider lids can be taken to the Good Food Store for reuse (note: sometimes they pause collection when they have a surplus, but start accepting again when they have used up their collection)

• Clean and functioning items containing plastic such as clothing (which often contains synthetic fibers), toys, electronics, kitchen and other home items can often be donated to thrift stores; Check to make sure these places accept the items you wish to donate:

  • Bargain Corner

  • Donation Warehouse

  • Missoula Goodwill

  • Missoula Senior Center Underground Thrift Store

  • YWCA Secret Seconds- South

  • YWCA Secret Seconds-North

  • Teen Challenge Thrift Store

  • Zootown Thrift

Recycle

There are limited plastic recycling options in this area. Make as many choices as you can to limit your purchase of plastics which can’t be recycled. Here is what is available:

• Plastics #1 & #2

  • Currently Republic Services drop-off recycling center only takes clear #1 PET (example: clear soda bottle) and translucent  #2 (example: translucent milk jug)

  • Make sure to remove the lids and clean containers thoroughly

  • Consult the Republic Services recycling guide

• Plastics #1 - #7

  • Republic Services also accept plastics #1 - #7 in their all-in-one curbside service

  • (Always call to check their current policies)

• Precious Plastic Missoula is more than just recycling, it is reusing. This group is working on ways to collect discarded plastic, shred it into small pieces and remold it.

  • Currently Precious Plastic Missoula is taking some plastic from the residents of the university area until they get the manufacturing process in place.

  • Call (406) 371-3693 or email preciousplasticmissoula@gmail.com for more information.

• Plastic Shopping Bags

  • When recycling Plastic Bags (soft plastic) it is important to make sure the bag is clean (that means no food residue), dry, and empty

  • List of what bags can and cannot be recycled

  • In Missoula plastic bags can be recycled at:

    • Albertsons

    • Target

    • Winco

• Carpet

  • You can recycle your unwanted carpet at: Pierce Flooring & Cabinet Design Center, go to their  Carpet and Carpet Cushion Recycling webpage to find out more

More Information

A great resource for understanding the challenges and opportunities to #breakfreefromplastic is the Working Toward Plastic Free in Montana Facebook page.