Almost 35 million tons of plastics were generated in the United States in 2015, about 13 percent of the waste stream. Only 9.1 percent of plastics were recycled in 2015. Some types of plastics are recycled much more than others. Most community recycling programs accept some, but not all, types of plastics. Look for products made from recycled plastic materials.
At Sniteman Pharmacy, we want our patients to understand the value of recycling and how they can lower their carbon footprint during their prescription fillings.
Take a look at your prescription bottles!
Our vials are made with polypropylene plastics, (Triangle with the 5). Some plastics are easier to recycle than others, so please check with your local recycling facility to see if they accept the recycling of polypropylene plastics. If they do - go ahead and recycle your vials!
Our caps are made with high-density polyethylene plastics, (Triangle with the 2). These are relatively easy to recycle and most recycling facilities will accept these!
Are you having issues with recycling? Here is another option.
When you need a refill- bring your old bottles in! We will happily fill prescriptions in returned vials. Reusing is great!
Reader's Digest gives some great tips for reusing your pill bottles for other uses!
Looking for another way to decrease your environmental impact?
When in the pharmacy, if you don't need your receipt, tell the clerk! We won't print it!
Here is how receipts impact the environment:
• Each year in the U.S., up to 10 million trees are used to make the paper. • And 21 billion gallons of water are used. • The annual waste from receipts in the U.S. is 686 million pounds of waste. • Skipping receipts would save 12 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), the equivalent of one million cars on the road.
Let's reduce, reuse, and recycle!
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