UPDATES at END of post!
PSA from Troy Freund Photography
RE: The recycling of #5 plastics (food containers, storage tubs)
July 12, 21010
The City of Milwaukee only recycles #2 plastics. It’s swell that Milwaukee recycles at all, but it’s unfortunate as they are a LOT of different plastics out in the market. A very common plastic that you can come by is the #5 plastic. #5 plastics are NOT recycled by Milwaukee. To-go containers, yogurt tubs, storage bins–many of these are made from rigid #5 plastics.
Thankfully, Preserve Products has their “Gimme 5” program which DOES recycle #5 plastics. Lucky for me there is a location on Milwaukee’s East Side where you can drop off your #5 plastics. Whole Foods on North Avenue has TWO drop-off locations–in the parking garage and in the cafe where you can drop off your #5 plastics to be recycled by Preserve. If you’re not in Milwaukee, find out where your nearest #5 drop-off location is here.
PLEASE, check your plastics–and recycle your #5 plastics! Save ’em up and either take them to Whole Foods or ship them back to Preserve yourself!
UPDATED: July 19, 2010
I’ve learned today that Milwaukee is also a part of the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe Program. You can donate your used tennis/athletic shoes at any of a number of Milwaukee locations. Nike then will take those shoes and make “Nike Grind”–the surface for sports courts and running tracks! Here is Milwaukee’s page on the program!
UPDATED: August 5, 2010
Yesterday I made it downtown to City Hall and donated 3 pairs of used tennis shoes to the drop-off bin for the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Program! It’s pretty cool–right on the ground floor of City Hall!
Also, I’ve now made two drop-offs of #5 plastics at the North Avenue Whole Foods!
UPDATED: October 3, 2011
The City of Milwaukee now recycles #5 plastics! Just put them in your normal plastic collection containers! Here’s the full story.