For Immediate Release May 10, 2005

RE: “Stackables” now accepted in County Recycling Program

At long last Madison County has found a stable market for stackable containers, explained Jim Zecca, director of the Dept. of Solid Waste. “We are officially announcing that stackables can be recycled in Madison County,” said Zecca. “It took 15 years, but the markets are finally opening up for this type of plastic. We have two companies clamoring for our stackable containers.” The Solid Waste and Recycling Committee recently approved a request to add stackable containers to the list of items that can be recycled in Madison County. “Stackables” is a word coined by the Solid Waste Dept. and refers to plastic containers that stack inside of one and other. Many food items come packaged in these containers such as yogurt, butter, sour cream and Cool WhipÔ. In the past, stackables were not recyclable in Madison County even though they carried an acceptable recycling number on the bottom because there was no market for the injection mold containers. “All plastic containers have a recycling number on the bottom,” explained Zecca. “This helps recycling centers and brokers to categorize plastic containers for market.” “We began our recycling program in 1990 and have always recycled plastic bottles, jugs and jars, but we could not find a stable market for stackables,” said Zecca. “There were no manufacturers making new products from injection mold plastic, which is what stackable containers are made from. Madison County sells its commingled plastic to the Western Finger Lakes Authority who in turn separates the plastic into specific categories such as numbers 1 & 2 and another category for numbers 2,4,5 and 7. They then match plastic types to specific manufacturers such as Haycore Canada. Haycore is committed to providing profitable and responsible recycling alternatives to municipalities. “We have established our own processing facility to insure long-term market access and quality finished products and contribute to landfill diversion for lower valued recyclables,” according to Bill Renkema, operations manager at Haycore Canada. Haycore provides a market for curbside injection plastics #2-4-5 and 7. Zecca said, “Some of the stackable containers collected in Madison County will end up at Haycore. Our recycled injection mold plastic (stackable containers) will be made into clean flake and then be sold to companies that make various items like pallets, plastic lumber, shipping crates and flower pots.”