While there are plastic recycling options in Pierre and Fort Pierre, not all plastic items are accepted. Through June, the South Dakota Discovery Center is collecting plastic film such as bags, sacks and bubble wrap and will deliver the items to a manufacturer of composite plastic goods.
Special Projects director Anne Lewis says the recycling drop will be kept in the foyer of the South Dakota Discovery Center. She says the goal is to collect 500 pounds in six months. Hard plastic such as bottles or containers is not accepted. Only plastic film and the bags should be empty and clean. Plastic baggies with food should be rinsed.
Lewis says people can reduce the amount of plastic film being disposed of by using reusable bags when going shopping.
The SD Discovery Center is also looking for volunteers to help sort and weigh the plastic as well as take bags to the drop off sites in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. If you’d like to help, call Anne at 605-224-8295.
SD Discovery Center staff will evaluate the recycling program after six months and decide if it will continue.
What can be recycled?
•LDPE/HDPE Films
•Newspaper Sleeves
•Bread bags
•Product Wrap
•Cereal liners
•Food Storage bags
•Ice bags
•Pellet Bags
•Produce bags
•Dry cleaning bags
•Grocery bags
•Case overwrap
•Packaging air pillows
•Bubble wrap
•Salt Bags
What should NOT be recycled?
•Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging
•Pre-washed salad mix bags
•Frozen food bags
•Candy bar wrappers
•Chip bags
•Six-pack rings
•Bags that are stained, wet or still have stuff in them (receipts, onion skin, etc)
Here are a couple of ways for you to tell its recyclable polyethylene or not:
1. Check to see if the packaging is labeled with at 2 or 4. If so, it can be included.
2. See if the packaging will stretch when you pull it. If so, it can be included.
3. Is the packaging shiny or does it make a crinkly/crunchy sound? If so, it’s NOT acceptable.
