By Jeanette Brizendine: Recycling Project Manager, City of Federal Way

I am frequently asked why plastic caps and lids cannot be recycled. If the entire container can be recycled, why not the top?

Well, a couple of reasons.

First, the caps are often made out of a different type of plastic than the container. Different types of plastics should not be recycled together because of contamination.

Second, lids of all sizes are a problem at sorting centers. Small lids tend to jam the equipment. The metal and dairy-tub lids are larger and flatter, so the automated sorting equipment sends them to the paper and cardboard area where they cause contamination.

To add insult to injury (literally), capped bottles can explode when compacted, which poses a danger to workers.

What to do? Plastic lids should be thrown away. Period.

Got a metal lid? Put it in the bottom of the rinsed can and squish the can so the lid can’t fall out. Or you can just throw it away.

One other common question I’m asked on this topic: What about the little plastic ring around the neck of the bottles? Go ahead and leave it on. It’s so small it won’t cause contamination, and it’s usually fixed in place so it won’t pop off and jam the equipment.

Contact Jeanette Brizendine: (253) 835-2771 or jeanette.brizendine@cityoffederalway.com, or visit www.cityoffederalway.com/recycling.