You have to remove the plastic label if you want to recycle this plastic bottle.

BigTrout75@lemmy.world to Mildly Infuriating@lemmy.world – 389 points –
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You need to separate most materials in order to recycle them. The plastic of a lid is different from that of a bottle which are both different from a wrapping. Separating materials is key to successful recycling. A lot of times stuff can't get recyled because people don't separate it before throwing it away.

Or you could just use, you know, reusable materials.

Separation requirements vary. In the UK, plastic bottle caps are generally tethered to the bottle now to prevent people from separating them.

Why?! I dont get it. What kind of psychopath doesn't put the cap back on when empty. Who opens a bottle, throws the cap away, and chugs away?! How is this a problem? I'm just so baffled this was/is a problem.

When I squash a (gallon) jug it sometimes warps the opening so that the cap doesn't fit anymore.

True enough. Didn't think of it as I'm used to a recycling system where you don't crush them. In fact, if you did, you wouldn't get your deposit back.

I guess me? don't spill and it's not a problem just like a glass

But it's one of the few benefits of plastic bottles; if I don't finish it, I can re-seal it. It's not about spilling, it's about preserving.

I guess personally if I'm leaving and I'm not done with it I just chug it quick and throw it away

Uh, I was replying to someone who said it’s essential to separate lids from their bottles. It’s not psychopaths who are doing this — it’s people who think it’s the right thing to do.

Sorry, I missed that. That's actually really interesting and the only good answer I've seen so far; people doing harm thinking they are doing good. Still hate it though... The cap gets in the way of drinking.

Could simply be to keep the material together. Makes sorting easier.

I understand that's the reason. My point it, I'm surprised and amazing this doesn't happen automatically already. I've never not put the cork back on a bottle when it was empty.