County Recycling Program Accepts Number 7 Plastics

All those broken pairs of sunglasses can find a new home in the county's recycling program.

Prince George's County Single Stream Recycling Program will now be accepting Number 7 Plastics, in addition to the other six types of plastics it accepts. This includes items like three- and five-gallon water bottles, 'bullet-proof' materials, sunglasses, signs and displays, certain food containers, nylon and cases for DVDs, iPods and computers.

These products were not recycled previously, but now will be used to make plastic lumber and other custom-made products. Polycarbonate is a Number 7 Plastic, and after studies showed it could be a hormone disruptor if leached into food, many parents worried about having children eat or drink out of that type of plastic.

For those residents that have curbside pick-up, some companies take Number 7 while others won't. However, any county owned recycling facilities including those placed in parts of Riverdale Park or University Park, should allow Number 7.

For any questions regarding the county's recycling program, contact Prince George's County, Dept of Environmental Resources at 301-952-7630.