Description: Any whole, blow-molded, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle containing the ASTM D7611 “#2, HDPE” resin identification code that is unpigmented, and was generated from a curbside, drop-off, or other public or private recycling collection program. Bottles are defined as containers that have a neck or mouth that is smaller than the base.
Product: Polyethylene Bottles
Source: Post-consumer material collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some material that has met its intended use from commercial establishments.
All bottles should be free of contents or free flowing liquids and direction should be provided to encourage consumers to empty and rinse containers. While including closures (caps, lids, and rings) on bottles is acceptable, removal of closures is also acceptable. Loose caps and closures should not be added to the bale.
ITEMS RESULTING IN A DOWNGRADE TO COLORED HDPE BALE: Inclusion of pigmented or colored HDPE bottles will downgrade a Natural Bottle Bale to a Colored HDPE Bottle Bale.
- Pigmented white and yellow HDPE (#2) milk jugs
- Other pigmented HDPE (#2) bottles and containers
CHECK WITH YOUR BUYER(S) as to their allowances for:
- HDPE Cooking oil bottles
Contamination: Total contamination should not exceed 5% by weight.
ALLOWABLE CONTAMINANTS AT LOW LEVELS: These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed 2% by weight of any of the following “individual” contaminants, unless noted otherwise.
- Liquid residues
- Loose paper or cardboard (OCC)
- Aluminum cans
- Any other HDPE (#2) rigid plastic
- Any non-HDPE rigid plastic bottle, container, or packaging, including PET (#1), LDPE (#4), PP (#5), PS (#6), Other (#7) and compostable plastic (e.g., PLA and PHA) (2% maximum of all combined)
CONTAMINANTS NOT ALLOWED: If present, these contaminants may result in rejection.
- Any item with degradable additives
- Containers which held hazardous materials, such as flammable, corrosive, or reactive products, pesticides, or herbicides
- Any PVC (#3) rigid plastic bottle, container, or packaging
- Any bulky rigid plastic
- Any plastic bags or film
- Any plastic foam
- Other metal, wood, glass
- Batteries
- Electronics scrap, including items with circuit boards or battery packs
- Bio-Medical non-bottle waste/items (e.g., syringes, sharps, gloves, masks)
Rocks, stones, mud, oils, grease
General: Refer to the General Information section for additional information
Effective as of: July 14th, 2022
Terms & Conditions
Product These guidelines are designed with the potential for dealing with all recycled plastic in bale form. Initial specifications refer only to bottles. The code framework allows for generation of guidelines for all types of plastic packaging materials (including rigids and flexibles) with room for expansion to other plastic products and resins including those which are used to produce durable goods. Guidelines for those products may be added at a later date. Bale Density Bales shall be compressed to a minimum density of 10 pounds per cubic foot and a maximum density to be determined by individual contract between Buyer and Seller. Increased density may improve transportation efficiency, but over-compression may adversely affect the ability of a Buyer to separate, sort, and reprocess the material. Bale Tying Material Bale wires, ties, or straps shall be made of non-rusting or corroding material. Bale Integrity Bale integrity must be maintained through loading, shipping, handling, and storage. Distorted or broken bales are difficult to handle. They are unacceptable and may result in downgrading, rejection, or charge back. Allowable Contamination Unspecified materials must not exceed 2% of total bale weight. Bales which contain over 2% will be subjected to reduction in the contracted price of the material as well as charges for disposal of the contaminants. The reduced percentage will vary depending upon the amount and type of contamination. Quality of the baled plastic is the primary factor which determines the value. Prohibited Material Certain materials are understood to be specified as “prohibited.” Such materials will render the bale “non-specification” and may cause some customers to reject the entire shipment. These may include plastic materials which have a deleterious effect on each other when reprocessed, and materials such as agricultural chemicals, hazardous materials, flammable liquids and/or their containers, and medical waste. Liquids Plastic containers/materials should be empty and dry when baled. The bale should be free of any free-flowing liquid of any type. General Shipments should be essentially free of dirt, mud, stones, grease, glass, and paper. The plastic must not have been damaged by ultraviolet exposure. Every effort should be made to store the material above ground and under cover. A good faith effort on the part of the supplier will be made to include only rinsed bottles which have closures removed.
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