What Does That Mean? ...a glossary of recycling terms

Here are definitions for some important recycling terms:

Bale - A large block of crushed PET bottles held together tightly with plastic strapping. Recycled PET bales can hold more than 9,600 bottles and weigh more than 1,200 pounds each.

"Closing the Loop" - While materials that are thrown into the trash end up in landfills or incinerators, recycled materials can be transformed into new and useful products. In this way, recycled materials can "loop" back to the consumer. "Closing the Loop" means buying products made from recycled materials so that recycled items can be used again.

Drop-off centers - Community locations that collect recycled materials. These centers are especially popular in communities that do not have curbside bin collection. The items collected by drop-off centers differ by location.

Fiberfill - Thin hair-like fibers of PET plastic that are crimped and fluffed to add volume and warmth to the material. This fiberfill can then be used to insulate ski jackets, sleeping bags and other materials that we use to stay warm.

Flake - Small bits of shredded recycled PET bottles that are easier to melt down in the recycling process.

Polyethylene Terephthalate - (POLY-ETHEL-LEAN TARIFF-THA-LATE) a type of plastic known as PET or #1 plastic. It is used to package beverages, food and non-food products because it is lightweight, durable, shatter-resistant and resealable.