| Q. Why doesn’t Plano accept plastic items #3 through #7? |
A. Plano only accepts #1 & #2 plastic containers, due to the following factors:
These two types of plastics make up over 75% of all the plastic containers manufactured and sold to consumers – we focus on recycling the most materials in the most effective manner. The extensive and sustainable recycling industry infrastructure that exists for these two types of plastic (#1 & #2) - recycling centers always have end-markets to sell the materials, so the plastic is being recycled. Infrastructure and market conditions for recycling the other types (#3-7) of plastic are very limited and variable - recycling centers have problems finding an end-market to sell the materials, so the plastic ends up being landfilled when they cannot sell it. We believe in making sure the materials we include in our recycling program end up being recycled since we've asked our residents to change their behavior and put forth individual effort to recycle.
Plano does plan on expanding the types of plastics accepted, once the recycling industry infrastructure and market conditions are established and sustainable. Thank you for being so supportive and involved in recycling all that you can!
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Q. How do I dispose of compact fluorescent light bulbs? |
A. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are not regulated as hazardous material requiring special handling. Please place bulbs in a plastic bag and dispose with normal trash. CFLs do contain mercury, but nowhere near enough to provoke panic or evacuation. If you break a bulb, you can do the cleanup yourself, without renting a moon suit or contacting authorities. The EPA advises the following treatment:
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Open a window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes (to let the mercury vaporize).
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Remove all materials (i.e., the pieces of the broken bulb) without using a vacuum cleaner. You don't want even a small amount of mercury lurking in your vacuum. To do so: Wear disposable rubber gloves, if available. (Never touch the bulb pieces with your bare hands.)
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Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard (you don't want the stuff to get on your broom or dustpan either).
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Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe. Sticky tape, such as duct tape (yet another use for the versatile material!), can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
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Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it. Place used or broken CFLs in the garbage, seal the CFL in two plastic bags and put into the outside trash (if no other disposal or recycling options are available).
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Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.
The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag once done cleaning the area (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag and/or vacuum debris, as well as the cleaning materials, in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.
IKEA (Frisco store) has a CFL Collection/Recycling program available to the general public. Individuals can take their bulbs (no limit & no required packaging) to either the Returns Desk or the "As Is/Clearance" area.
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Q. Is the City Warehouse open on Saturday to purchase the biodegradable lawn bags? |
A. No, the City Warehouse is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Bags may be purchased at the Custer Road Facility (9901 Custer Road) Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or at other retail locations: Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Albertsons, Kroger, Tom Thumb, Sam's, Elliott's Hardware & Costco.
| Q. Can I recycle plastic flower/plant containers? |
A. No, these are not recyclable through the City of Plano's recycling program. Just place the plastic containers in your trash cart or some local nurseries will take them back to reuse.
| Q. My trash/recycling cart is damaged – what will it cost to repair it? |
A. Repair/replacement for normal wear and tear is provided at no cost to resident. Carts damaged due to negligence will be replaced at a cost of $39.00 billed on residents utility bill. For repair/replacement, call Environmental Waste Services Customer Service at (972) 769-4150.
| Q. Where can I purchase biodegradable yard trimming bags now that the Fire Stations no longer sell them? |
A. You can purchase the biodegradable yard trimming bags at local retailers such as Albertson's, Home Depot, Kroger, Lowe's, Target, Tom Thumb, Sam's and Wal-Mart. They are also available at:
City Warehouse
4100 W. Plano Parkway
Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
20 bags for $7.00
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Custer Road Facility
9901 Custer Road
Monday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
20 bags for $7.50
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| Q. How can I keep my trash cart from smelling badly during the hot, summer weather? |
A. There are several steps you can take to reduce odors from your refuse or recycling containers. Make sure your trash is properly bagged and tied and recyclable food containers are thoroughly rinsed and dried before placing them in your containers. Put your full containers at your collection site the night before your regularly scheduled pick-up. Storing full containers in the hot sun can increase the potential for odor. Finally, try washing out your containers weekly with a small amount of bleach and hot water, or baking soda. Leave the lid open and allow the cart to dry completely before using.
| Q. Can I take my household chemicals to the Household Chemical Reuse Center to dispose of them? |
A. The answer to this question is NO. The city’s Household Chemical Reuse Center is not licensed to accept materials from residents on a “drop-off” basis. Environmental Waste Services provides a chemical collection service for all Plano households, at no additional charge, to properly manage reuse, recycling and/or disposal of household chemicals, such as fertilizer, pesticides, pool products, household cleaners, and paint.
Please call Environmental Waste Services Customer Service at (972) 769-4150 to schedule a collection at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled household chemical collection day. Household chemical collections are scheduled by zip code as listed below:
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75023 & 75025 |
Mondays |
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75075 |
Tuesdays |
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75024 & 75093 |
Wednesdays |
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75074 & 75094 |
Thursdays |
You will be instructed to place the items in a box marked “chemicals” at your collection point, by 7:00 a.m., at least two feet from your refuse and recycling containers. If items are not in their original container, please identify the container. Never place chemicals in your refuse or recycling container. They require special handling for recycling and/or disposal.
| Q. What can I do if my neighbor’s grass or shrubs are overgrown, or if they have junked cars parked in their yard? |
A. The City of Plano Property Standards Department handles complaints concerning overgrown weeds, junked cars, etc. Please call (972) 941-7124 for assistance.
| Q. I have a number of large, corrugated cardboard boxes I want to recycle. Should I just place them in my recycling cart? |
A. Large corrugated cardboard boxes may be recycled through your weekly yard trimming collection. Boxes should be empty, flattened and placed at your collection point by 7:00am on your regular trash and landscape waste collection day. Small corrugated boxes (up to 2'x2'x4') and boxboard and chipboard (i.e. cereal boxes) should be flattened and placed loosely in your recycling cart for every-other-week collection.
| Q. Do I have to remove the labels from cans, bottles and jars before putting them in the recycling cart? |
A. No. Please rinse cans, bottles and jars before recycling, but labels do not need to be removed.
| Q. Why was my bulky waste not picked up on my scheduled day? |
A. Bulky waste items needs to be out by 7:00 a.m. on your monthly bulky item collection day. If our drivers cannot pick up your items on the scheduled day, they will leave a tag explaining the reason and the solution. Common reasons for non-collection include:
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placement of items in an areas that is not accessible to collection vehicle;
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items such as tree trimmings or unstained wood fencing can be collected by yard trimming collection crew for recycling into compost; and
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excessive waste from major remodeling jobs may require a PAID collection.
If your bulky waste is missed on your scheduled collection day, please call customer service at (972) 769-4150 for details.
| Q. How can I safely discard paint? |
A. House paint can be discarded in any of the following ways:
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House paint that is dry or containers that are empty may be placed in a plastic bag and added to your general trash.
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If a can is all metal and has a thin coat of dry latex paint, it can be added to the recycling bin.
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Old paint or cans containing small amounts of paint can be dried by leaving the lid off in a well-ventilated area or mixing in kitty litter. Once dried, place in a plastic bag in your general trash.
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Full cans can be shared with neighbors or civic organizations.
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Call (972) 769-4150 to schedule a Household Chemical Collection by the Environmental Waste Services Division.
| Q. How can I get a bulky waste calendar and map? |
A. If you do not have a current bulky waste calendar and map, click here to download one or call Environmental Waste Services Customer Service at (972) 769-4150 and one will be mailed to you.
| Q. Does Plano offer a recycling program for businesses? |
A. YES. The Commercial Recycling Program has five trained recycling coordinators who are available to help implement appropriate recycling programs for all Plano businesses. The coordinators evaluate the present waste disposal method, identify what percentage can be diverted through a recycling program and the associated cost impacts (typically it equates to a breakeven or cost savings), and provide marketing materials and in-house training during the implementation stages.
| Q. What are the criteria for a household chemical collection? |
A. Household Chemical Collection criteria are:
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All chemicals must be in original container or in an approved container with it properly labeled.
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Place chemicals in a cardboard box with "chemical" written on the outside of the box.
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Box should weigh less than 50 pounds.
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Place box at collection point by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled chemical collection day.
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Schedule a household chemical collection by calling customer service at (972) 769-4150.