High Five

Thanks to Mary Cashiola for posting this on her blog...

High Five
Posted by Mary Cashiola on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM

Like many cities, Memphis recycles some plastic products. Like many cities, Memphis does not accept recycled material that are coded as a 5.

And lots of things are 5's. Seriously, if you recycle plastic products, but you're not very observant about the numbers, you've probably been throwing 5's into your recycling bin without even knowing it.

I personally put 5's in my recycle bin to show that city of Memphis that there is a market for them to recycle them. I mean, if they're going to get pitched anyway, might as well try to do some good with them before they end up in a landfill somewhere.

But now there is a better way.

Preserve's Gimme 5 program puts recycling bins for 5's in area Whole Foods Markets, including in Memphis.

The Boston-based company makes personal care items such as toothbrushes and razors, as well as kitchen and tableware, out of recycled #5 polypropylene plastic. The recycled plastic uses 54 percent less water, 75 percent less oil, and 48 percent less coal than "new" polypropylene.

If you don't want to take your number 5's to Whole Foods, you can also mail your 5's directly to them. Scroll down for instructions.