Can salt containers be recycled?

Salt containers are recyclable. This fact is a relief, what with salt being a staple in every kitchen all around the world. Condiment and seasoning containers are purposely manufactured to be recyclable. The effort aims to ensure food safety and to extend shelf life as well.

Check the label to check recyclability.

Despite a majority of salt containers being recyclable, there are other brands not following yet. Consumers should be vigilant enough to check labels and packaging if they want to be 100 percent sure that they are choosing the right products. 

Check if the product you’re eyeing has the How2Recycle label on it. Industries following this protocol include all water softener soap, pool salt, and ice melt products along with many culinary salt products in the company portfolio. 

An easy way to spot recyclable salt containers is to see what the packaging is made of. Cardboard table salt containers naturally have the edge over plastic pool salt bags when it comes to recyclability. The clincher is just to make sure that no matter what they’re made of, they are disposed of properly.

What about salt carton containers?

In the recycling process, there are a few downsides in salt carton containers, also known as the shelf-stable cartons.

Despite looking like they’re made from sustainable materials, there is one big catch: these cartons are extremely difficult to recycle. 

Aseptic cartons are basically a multilayer of various non-recyclable materials. These materials include paperboard, plastic and aluminum. 

It is undeniable that these cartons have a lot of environmental advantages. Because it is lightweight, it saves on fuel when transporting. 

However, although many recycling centers have begun accepting cartons, it takes a lot of effort for plants to strip the fiber from the cartons and recycle it. This also means that the plastic or aluminum components are not recycled and are left in landfills instead. 

In a more complete recycling process, these whole cartons are shredded in a paper mill and then smashed by the machine. They are pressed and repurposed into boards that can be used for roofing, siding and other building projects.

How should we dispose of salt containers?

Plastic containers like water bottles and yogurt containers need to go in your recycling bin and must be included with your plastic film and bags.

If in doubt, throw it out. Plastic film must be clean and dry to be properly recycled. Before putting salt containers in the recycle bin, make sure they are free from any form of food residue and crumbs. Other materials that could potentially harm the recycling process include tape, labels, paper receipts, and rigid plastics. These contaminants can ruin the impede machinery functions and may result in wastes not being recycled.

Why do we need to clean and dry the plastic bags and film?

Most plastic bags and films do not undergo a wash process before being repurposed into a new product. This is why it is crucial to wash the insides of these containers before putting them out to recycle.

Meanwhile, moisture is known to create problems when bags are bunched tightly together. Moist harbors mold and could even ruin the entire batch of recyclable items. When cleaned thoroughly and dried completely, plastic bags and film could be completely recycled.

Common questions about recycling salt containers

Are plastic storage containers recyclable?

It all depends on what type of plastic they are made of. Though most plastics can now be recycled, some are better off directly thrown into landfills because recycling them could release harmful chemicals causing various health problems. It’s best to check the bottom of plastic containers to see what plastic type it is made of. Recyclable plastics include plastics 1, 2, 4, and 5.

How do you dispose of old plastic containers?

The key is to make sure you keep the same type of plastic together in a bag. The bag has to be made of the same plastic type it contains, too. Lids and caps are usually separated from the containers like jugs and bottles, so it’s best to just put them directly in the trash instead of the recycling bin. This way, you can be assured that recyclable garbage will indeed be properly recycled.

How do you recycle plastic at home?

If you ever face the dilemma of being stuck with a lot of plastic wastes at home with no option to put them away in a recycling facility, try to find ways to reuse them. Plastics are purposefully made to be highly durable, so they’re fit to be repurposed to something else. You can use them in arts and crafts projects, as eco-bricks, and so much more.

In this day where people are more aware of how their grocery list can impact the environment, it’s a great thing that companies are also trying to heed our call to make more sustainable packaging for their products. As for salt containers, make it a habit to check labels to choose which of them has the least carbon footprint without having to sacrifice the quality and safety of the food.