Wilder Park Neighborhood Association

City expands recycling program

Mar 23, 2007

The city of Louisville has expanded its recycling program to include nearly all forms of plastic. Most containers with a recycling symbol and number will now be collected. Previous restrictions limited recycling items to No. 1 and No. 2 plastics. Now, Nos. 3 to 7 also will be collected.
Plastics are graded based on their composition. Recycling was limited under the old restrictions to detergent dispensers, shampoo bottles and drink containers. Most food containers, medicine bottles and consumer goods like plates and compact disc cases are now eligible for recycling.
According to the city, the only items not eligible for recycling are five-gallon buckets, plastic cutlery, pumps in spray or aerosol containers and containers with products such as antifreeze or motor oil.
The city is hoping the expanded program will increase recycling participation by nearly 10 percent. Other communities that have made similar expansions in their recycling programs have experienced increases up to 30 percent.