ba/plastic.pr         97-347                              Contact: Esther Bowring, 301-217-2866



COUNTY EXPANDS
PLASTICS RECYCLING PROGRAM
TO NOW INCLUDE
MOST PLASTIC BOTTLES                          For Immediate Release: November 12, 1997


     Single-family resident in Montgomery County can now recycle most plastic bottles
(containers that narrow at the neck).  Due to improvements in recycling markets, plastic
bottles marked #1, #2, #3,  #5 or  #7 -- including salad dressing and cooking oil bottles --
may be recycled through the County's program.  
     Some bottles that still cannot be recycled are those containing automotive products
such as motor oil or anti-freeze, or bottles that contained hazardous materials such as
pesticides.
     "In the past, we asked residents to only recycle #1 and #2 plastic bottles," said Esther
Bowring, recycling planner with the County's Division of Solid Waste Services. "But, because
lots of other plastic containers were also stamped with the #1 and  #2 symbols, residents tried
to recycle these unacceptable items.
     "By telling residents that they can now recycle most plastic bottles, but no other plastic
items, we hope to reduce the number of unacceptable plastics received at the County's
Recycling Center," said Arthur G. Balmer, chief of the Division of Solid Waste Services.
                                  -more-

COUNTY EXPANDS PLASTICS RECYCLING                                              2-2-2-2

     The County has never been able to recycle plastic cups, containers, pails or cartons --
such as yogurt, margarine, deli foods, ice cream and other wide-mouth containers -- because
containers without necks have a different melting point that make them incompatible for
recycling with plastic bottles.
     For more information on the new plastics recycling rules, call the recycling Hotline,
weekdays, at 301-590-0046.

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