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Numbers are not exactly a strong suit of mine. When addition and subtraction gave way to multiplication and division in junior high, I was lost.
That may be why recycling, especially plastics, is so frustrating. Printed numbers are used to indicate which recycle bin a water bottle, fast food cup or detergent container should be dumped into. It may be a form of math and, to me, it doesn’t add up.
Trying to decipher a number imprinted on plastics is a huge aggravation. It’s easy to understand why someone, with noble intentions, might just say “screw it,” and toss the item in the trash. The digits, usually one through seven, are stamped on a container at a manufacturing site and shipped to stores for purchase.
The problem, as I see it, is that the numbers, called resin codes, are either too small or unclear to read, hidden by a label or non-existent. Despite the challenges, the family collects plastics, cardboard, glass, paper and aluminum for recycling.
On a recent Friday, it was off to the Los Lunas Recycling Center on Don Pasqual Road for my regular visit. On this trip, it was to dump a nearly full garbage can of plastics into the proper receptacle.
Upon arrival, there was a steady stream of cars and trucks pulling into what is essentially a parking lot behind the Fred Luna Multi-Generational Center. The space is circled by several dozen dumpsters and other stations, ready to collect materials that will eventually go to outside vendors for recycling.
Sirissa Galarza, of Belen, was up early, dropping off cardboard that morning.
“It’s something you’re supposed to do to help the planet,” Galarza said about driving to the facility once a month or so. “I need to do what’s right.”
It was somewhat reassuring to learn I’m not the only one exasperated by part of the process.
“Plastic is a very confusing thing to learn,” said William Minier, recycle operator for the village of Los Lunas.
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“It’s crazy that it’s not obvious,” Minier said when it comes to deciphering the numbers.
“I wish they would,” make it clear, added Arturo Romero, village of Los Lunas superintendent for the solid waste division. “It would make it a lot easier for a lot of people.”
At the house, I’ve started a list of resin codes to help keep things straight. It is kind of crazy that plastic cups from McDonald’s, Jason’s Deli and others carry different numbers. Some of the lids are recyclable, some are not. That’s part of the confusion.
Why can’t the plastic mucky mucks come up with basic industry standards? Is it too difficult to have the numbers the same size and in the same location on similar products? Consistency would be appreciated.
Recycling cardboard is not as complicated. According to Minier, most cardboards can be recycled. The corrugated variety goes into the blue bins at the facility, while thin cereal and soda boxes, called chipboard, can be placed in the mixed paper section. However, pizza boxes and anything with oil is out.
“The oil actually destroys the fiber in the cardboard. It can’t be recycled,” Minier explained.
Trash and grocery bags are unwanted by vendors, so they are not accepted at the recycling center; however, places like Walmart and Albertson’s do take them.
The Los Lunas recyclables are sent to the transfer station, four miles west of Interstate 25 on N.M. 6. That’s where like-items are baled, compacted and then picked up by vendors who convert the waste into reusable products.
The village does get paid by vendors for certain materials, including cardboard, tin and aluminum.
“It’s not enough to cover the cost of operation,” Minier said. “In recycling, it never will be, but it does divert from the landfill. That’s our main goal.”
Plus, according to Romero, recycling can help limit trash removal rate increases.
With Los Lunas growing, Minier says, “Eventually, we’re going to need a bigger facility.”
In the meantime, the village is making improvements for clients at the current site. 3-7 plastics are now being accepted and an exit gate at the recycling center was added to help traffic flow. There are also plans to adjust the angle to reenter Don Pasqual Road.
“We had some concerned citizens say that it’s hard to turn that way,” said Romero.
Los Lunas residents can also take trash and recyclables, including white goods, such as refrigerators, to the transfer station.
The future site of a PlastikGas 4-ton plant will be located at the transfer station. The News-Bulletin reported in June that the plant will process different kinds of plastic into usable fuel. Romero says when it goes online, the plant will recycle plastics numbered 3-7, with the possibility of eventually adding plastic bags.
Romero said if visitors to the Los Lunas Recycling Center have questions, please ask. The facility is always staffed when open. For more details, visit loslunasnm.gov.
Belen residents can use the Belen Recycling Center at 501 Bernard St., at AC Disposal. The center is only open Wednesday and Saturday. For more information go to belen-nm.gov.
Options are out there. Now, if only I could read those numbers.
