Plastic Waste: What to do when your pool inflatable goes POP!

Water wings, beach balls, lounge chairs, floating pool toys. What do all of these things have in common? They CAN NOT be recycled. 

Almost all of them are made of polyvinyl chloride (also known as PVC, or by the recycling number 3), which is one of the hardest plastics to recycle. It is also one of the most dangerous plastics to use, as it is full of chlorine and heavy metals and is a known human carcinogen.

So not only are we unable to recycle them, they are also an environmental hazard. They pollute our landfills and waterways. 

So, next time your pool floats spring a leak consider repairing them. There are several repair kits, plastic sealants and PVC adhesives available that will do the trick. You can even call the float manufacturer and order a repair kit as well as use scraps from other floats made from the same material to patch the leaks. 

Quick Tip:
To preserve the quality of your inflatables until next summer, store them in their original packaging or place them in individual boxes, plastic containers or zip-up storage bags. Choose storage bins or mesh bags for small toys, goggles, snorkels and water guns and noodle caddies for pool noodles.

Did you know? When your flip flops have been worn and torn and have seen better days, start a collection and send them to TerraCycle®.  They will take the old rubber and upcycle it into new products.