It is not accepted curbside because there is no viable market for it in this area. In recycling, it is not feasible to collect material that cannot be sold. Soft drink cartons are coated with a special substance that keeps the box from collapsing when it gets wet. This substance clogs up the pulping process because it breaks down much slower than other paper materials. Soft drink cartons are not accepted curbside for recycling.
Plastics come in many shapes and sizes.
In Fort Worth, only plastic bottles with the Nos. 1 or 2 on the bottom are accepted. Although plastic grocery bags are number 2, they cannot be processed with other No. 2 containers because they have different melting points. Plastic bags are not accepted curbside for recycling. Styrofoam is not accepted curbside for recycling because, like paperboard, there is no local market for it. Although pizza boxes are made of cardboard, they are not accepted in Fort Worth's curbside recycling program.