Two kinds of plastics are recyclable with the Archuleta Recycling program. Look for the #1 or #2 symbols on the bottom of each container. Don't mix other types of plastic with the recyclable types.

Plastic containers: The two most commonly recycled plastics are PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high density polyethylene). Five recycled two-liter PET bottles make enough fiberfill to stuff a ski jacket, and thirty-five 2-liter PET bottles make enough for a sleeping bag. Milk, detergent, shampoo, water, soda and juice bottles, fresh pasta and tofu containers, etc., are all generally acceptable, but always check the code on the bottom first. The County Recycling Center only takes items clearly marked with the #1 and #2 recyclable codes only. Ideally the entire container should be made of the same plastic to avoid confusion, but often the caps are of a non-recyclable type. Many people don't take time to look at the bottom of each container, and frequently toss in items marked #5 or #7, which includes ketchup, yogurt and other food containers. These have to be weeded out from the rest, a process that takes up valuable time.

Glass containers: Both clear and colored glass is acceptable. Tanner said that should remain a consistent policy, but again, it all depends on what the Durango facility will accept. Glass bottles must not be mixed with other types of glass such as windows, light bulbs, mirrors, glass tableware, Pyrex or auto glass. Ceramics contaminate glass and are difficult to sort out. Clear glass is the most valuable.

Grocery and other plastic bags: Plastic grocery bags are commonly made from plastic types #2 or #4. City Market used to run a recycling program for their bags, but no longer offer that service in Pagosa. But here's something that most people are not aware of: if you bring in your old grocery bags to the cashier to reuse again, you will be credited two cents per bag off your total bill. Plastic bags for other products such as bread, pasta, marshmallows, etc. are often of types 2 or 4, but cannot be recycled in Pagosa at this time either at City Market or the Recycling Center.

Steel and Aluminum Cans: A recycling symbol should be present, but most people have little trouble sorting these materials. Rinse beverage containers thoroughly and squeeze open ends together. There are separate bins for aluminum and steel cans at the Recycling Center.

Paper: It is perfectly fine to mix together your newspapers, white and pastel copy/printer paper, photocopies, magazines and catalogs, phone books, envelopes (no manila type), cards, notebook paper, and advertisements/junk mail printed on light colored paper. Plastic window envelopes and staples are fine. Corrugated cardboard only—the Center does not accept consumer product cardboard packaging. No milk or juice cartons, stickers, napkins, tissues, waxed paper, carbon paper, laminated paper (fast food wraps, drink boxes, foil), neon-colored paper, thermal fax paper, pet food bags. No wet or food stained paper. You can also recycle your magazines and junk mail in the marked bins provided at the Post Office.

Motor Oil: Each year people that change their own oil improperly dump more oil than the Exxon Valdez spilled. You may bring your oil over to Piedra Automotive for recycling.

Packaging materials: Those annoying packing peanuts don't have much recycling potential, but they can be reused. Pack and Mail Plus is happy to take them off of your hands.

Automotive tires and batteries: Big O Tires will recycle your old tires with a new purchase. Napa Auto Parts and Car Quest will recycle old car batteries.

Laser/Ink printer cartridges: Laser printer cartridges are easily recycled, refilled or rebuilt. Both laser and ink jet cartridges be refilled, typically a half dozen times. Some companies, such as Hewlett-Packard, include a postage paid return label with each cartridge. In addition, printer ink cartridges can be recycled at Pagosa Elementary School.

Computers and electronic equipment: No program is currently available in Archuleta County, but Tanner says it is being looked in to.

Household toxics: Items such as poisons, paints, oil, rechargeable batteries, solvents, automotive fluids, commercial household cleaning products, pesticides, herbicides, etc. must not be dumped into the regular garbage or poured down drains. Water seeps through landfills and toxics end up in the water table. Pagosa Springs has offered special days when you can bring these items to a designated location for drop-off, but nothing is currently set for this year. Tanner said that people who have hazardous waste materials they need to get of can contact the Solid Waste Department for details at 264-0193.

Addition by Addi Greer: Toy and flashlight type batteries can be recycled in Durango at Ft.Lewis' Union Hall upstairs.

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