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PACKAGING MATERIALS

Consider contacting companies to request minimal plastic packaging to be sent in your orders. Amazon’s customer service team can be reached at cs-reply@amazon.com.

Example email:

Hello,

I am requesting that Amazon use minimal packaging in all my future orders. Please make a note on my account to avoid plastic packaging like bubble wrap and plastic air pillows when fulfilling my orders. The email address associated with my Amazon account is __________________.

Thank you,

________________


Compost: Paper packaging materials are Compostable Waste.

Recycle: Shipping boxes and other clean corrugated cardboard go in Shipping Boxes Recycling.

Dispose: Plastic film packaging materials are Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste.

PACKING PEANUTS

Compost: Biodegradable packing peanuts that dissolve almost instantly in water are Compostable Waste (C).

Dispose: Contain Styrofoam packing peanuts in a plastic bag before putting in Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC).

PAINT AND PAINT-RELATED PRODUCTS

Dispose: Oil-based paints and paint thinners should be brought to a Hazardous Waste Collection Event.

Latex paint is Non-Hazardous. Mix in kitty litter, let harden, and dispose of metal cans in Scrap Metal. Plastic pails of dried latex paint are Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC).

PALLETS

Recycle: Bring wooden pallets to the Scale House for drop-off instructions. Do not burn pallets on the beach. The nails left from the pallets litter the beach and are a public safety concern.

PAPER PRODUCTS

Compost: Paper products (except shipping boxes and other clean, corrugated cardboard which are recyclable) are Compostable Waste (C). This includes office paper, envelopes (please remove any plastic), brown paper bags (including Stop & Shop bags), tissues, tissue paper, parchment paper, newspapers, magazines, tissue boxes (please remove any plastic), cereal boxes, can and bottle boxes, and wrapping paper (please remove any plastic).

Dispose: All plastic-coated paper, including plastic-laminated paper and glossy paper from stamps and stickers, is Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC). Most waxed paper is coated in petroleum-based wax. Unless the wax paper is certified biodegradable, please dispose in Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC).

PENS & PENCILS

Dispose: Pens and pencils are Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC).

PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS & CONTAINERS

Donate: A Safe Place Nantucket (55B Windy Way, 508-228-0561) accepts donations of some UNOPENED personal care products.

Recycle: Empty plastic bottle from shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and contact lens solution are Plastic Recycling. Empty metal aerosol cans are Scrap Metal.

Dispose: Facial cleaning pads, cotton balls, personal care wipes, floss, floss containers, plastic deodorant containers, razors, wax strips, and makeup containers are Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC). Heavy glass and ceramic containers are also Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC).

Dispose: The Department of Public Works hosts several Hazardous Waste Collection Events annually.

Check the product label for:

  • Signal words - DANGER, POISON, WARNING or CAUTION;
  • Statements of hazards - “Flammable,” “Vapor harmful,” “Harmful or fatal if swallowed;”
  • Precautionary statements - “Keep out of reach of children,” “Use only in well-ventilated areas,” “Do not mix with chlorine-type bleaches or other chemicals.”

Free mail-back Recycling Programs: 

  • Colgate provides a free mail back program.
  • TerraCycle has partnered with numerous companies to provide free mail back recycling programs.
  • Tom’s of Maine.

PET SUPPLIES

Donate: Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals (NiSHA) (11 Crooked Lane, 508-825-2287) accepts donations of various pet supplies. 

Reuse: Cleaned and reusable pet carriers, beds, etc. can be posted in a local online free and for sale group for pick-up or brought to the Take-It-or-Leave-It.

Dispose: Most pet supplies are Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC). Please ask a Recycling Center attendant.

PET WASTE

Compost: Used kitty litter and loose pet waste go in Compostable Waste (C).

Dispose: Plastic-bagged pet waste, including individually bagged dog waste, goes in Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC).

PHONES

For mobile phones, see “CELL PHONES”.

Reuse: Landline phones in working condition can be posted in a local online free and for sale group for pick-up or brought to the Take-It-or-Leave-It.

Dispose: Landline phones are Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC). Remove batteries and place in Battery Recycling at the Recycling Center Drop-Off area prior to disposing.

PIZZA BOXES

Compost: Pizza boxes and other soiled cardboard go in Compostable Waste (C).

PHOTOGRAPHS

Printed photographs are Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC).

PLASTICS

Recycle: Plastic bottles, cups, jars, jugs, tubs, and clamshell food containers are Plastic Recycling. Other plastics that are hard, molded and flexible such as single-use coffee cup lids and the plastic packaging for batteries are also recyclable plastic.

Dispose: All other plastics are Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC), including

  • ALL types of plastic bags
  • Plastic film and wrap (including shrink wrap and cling wrap)
  • Expanded polystyrene foam (commonly referred to as Styrofoam)
  • Styrofoam produce, meat, and fish trays (as well as the fluid-collection pad)
  • Plastic wrappers (including granola/protein bar wrappers and candy wrappers)
  • Chip and cracker bags
  • Mesh bags
  • Pet food bags
  • Coffee bean bags
  • Sandwich bags and Ziplocs
  • Squeeze packs
  • Plant pots

Compostable plastics: currently all compostable plastics should be sorted as petroleum-based plastics, in either Plastics Recycling or Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC). Please refer to plastics sorting information above. 

POPCORN BAGS

Dispose: Popcorn popping bags are Non-Recyclable/Non-Compostable Waste (NRNC).

POTS & PANS

Reuse: Usable pots and pans can be posted in a local online free and for sale group for pick-up or brought to the Take-It-or-Leave-It. Some local thrift stores accept donations of some cookware.

Recycle: Pots, pans, and baking sheets go in Scrap Metal.

PRINTER CARTRIDGES

See “INK, PRINTER, AND TONER CARTRIDGES”.

PRINTERS

See “ELECTRONICS”.

PROPANE TANKS

Recycle: Propane tanks for grills can be taken to Yates Gas (20 Arrowhead Drive, 508-228-0725).