Know Your Triangles - Plastic Recycling in Lubbock

So, you've been thinking to yourself, Well, gee, maybe I need to look into this recycling thing that all the kids keep going on and on about.

In our annual survey this year, we figured out that less than 25% of our readers recycle plastic at all.

Step 1: Sort your plastics. Look for the triangle and make sure you have a 1 or a 2. A triangle with any other number inside is not recyclable in our system. Notice that the 2's need to be divided into opaque and colored varieties.

(Sidebar for those who want more detail, each number represents a different type of plastic. In the recycling process, plastics do not play well with others. #1 is PET or PETE - polyethylene terephthalate; #2 is HDPE - high-density polyethylene.)

Step 2: Remove all lids and remove easily removable labels.

Step 3: Find the appropriate blue dumpster at your nearest recycle location and drop your items in there.

Step 4: Bask in the glory of knowing that you have made one small step in making the world a better place for yourself and others, that you have lessened your country's need to extract more oil from the ground or purchase it from other countries, and that this Mesquite Hugger thinks you are great!

Step 5: Figure out a way to stop consuming so much plastic, snagit!

For more information on how and where to recycle in Lubbock, click here. Along with the city sites listed, you can also find recycling dumpsters at many United, Market Street, and Lowe's grocery stores.

May your actions improve rather than destroy.