Eastside Co-op Hosts Pilot Plastics Recycling Program

Previously non-recyclable items are now being collected at Eastside Food Co-op Thursdays and Fridays through Labor Day.

In an effort to encourage Minneapolis residents to recycle more plastics, Eastside Food Co-op, Consolidated Container Company and the City of Minneapolis have entered into a partnership to pilot a community-wide plastics recycling program. Now through Labor Day, people are encouraged to drop off their used plastics, including previously non-recyclable items, at Eastside Food Co-op in Northeast Minneapolis.

Collection bins are located outdoors in the Eastside Co-op parking lot at 2551 Central Ave. NE, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An assistant will be on hand to answer questions and make sure each type of plastic is sorted into the correct collection bin.

Nesting containers to save space and pre-sorting by number is recommended. An item is recyclable if a number inside a triangle symbol is located on the container. Plastics numbered one through six will be accepted at the co-op site.

Minneapolis recycles only about 40 percent of possible products, either because collection is too expensive or because markets aren’t\’t strong for the recycled materials. The goal of this program is to demonstrate to Minneapolis city officials that city residents will take the initiative to pre-sort various types of plastics, overcoming logistical challenges and making the program cost-effective for the city to operate.

“As consumers become increasingly aware of the effects they can have on our environment, we’re seeing more and more people take simple steps, such as recycling, to make a positive impact,” said Amy Fields, Eastside Food Co-op general manager. “Although recycling has become easier, there’s still confusion about which plastics can and can’t be recycled. This program will help educate residents, as well as demonstrate the benefits of an organized community recycling effort.”

The pilot program was first instituted in Coon Rapids by Consolidated Container Company. After great success in that area, and with encouragement from Minneapolis elected officials, the program came to Northeast and Eastside Co-op for its second pilot. If the pilot proves successful, the program has potential to expand throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs.