Why recycle plastic? It takes 20 years for a plastic bag to decompose and 250 years for a plastic cup to decompose! There are several types of plastic; the most commonly recycled are things like laundry detergent bottles and milk jugs. Clear plastic is also recycled, and used for soda bottles and leaning products. Other plastics are recycled less frequently, such as the plastic used for grocery bags. Recycled plastic is used for many things, such as trash bins, plastic pipes, and construction materials. It can also be used for carpet, tools, sleeping bag or jacket insulation, and Lycra (such as what is used in spandex for clothes and bathing suits). Recycling plastic is easy, fun, and can be done in your home or school.

Read these facts about plastic:

- Americans go through 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour, only a small percentage of which are recycled.
- In 2002, 4-5 TRILLION plastic grocery bags were used around the world.
- Americans throw out 100 billion plastic bags per year; only about 0.6% is ever recycled.
- Plastic can be recycled to make fleece fabric, carpet, sleeping bags, artificial lumber, and other products.
- Did you know that the water bottle you drink out of today could be recycled into the bathing suit you wear next summer?

Making use of your mountain of plastic bags:

- Use them as bin liners.
- Place them in the bottom of plant pots and hanging baskets - they act as great drainage systems.
- Children can use them for carrying PE gear to school.
- Scrunch them up to surround items when you're packaging as an alternative to bubble wrap.
- Use them in the garden to hold your grass cuttings and hedge trimmings before transfer to a compost bin. Never place grass cuttings in the City garbage bin!
- Use them when packing for a holiday to keep dirty/wet clothes and shoes away from dry clothing.
- Use them as 'doggy doo bags' when out walking your dog!
- Some supermarkets recycle plastic bags, so you can return plastic bags to them.
- Re-use washed zip lock bags for sandwiches and snacks rather than using plastic wrap.

 NOW GET READY TO FOLLOW THAT BOTTLE!

KEEP WATCHING FOR FUTURE RECYCLING PLASTIC ACTIVITIES!