Your Questions About Recycling
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Filed under Recycling Q & A
Maria asks…
Do mobile phone companies recycle phone numbers?
I changed my number a couple of years ago, but I was sitting around yesterday doing not very much and decided to call my old phone… and someone answered! And I also had my ols sim in front of me!
What’s that all about? Do they re-issue phone numbers that have been in-active for some time?
The Expert answers:
Prior to number porting…carriers had thier own set of numbers that they used, when a subscriber left, that number would sit inactive for a preiod of time…this was usually a year, but as demand for numbers, increased the time they waited did. So, after a while the deactivated number would be thrown back into the pool of available numbers to be reassigned again.
In the prepaid world, this usually happens because people don’t realize they can sometimes transfer a prepaid number, and under FCC regulation, the carrier is required to allow it, but people don’t…so the numbers are usually put back into the pool much faster. Turn around on prepaid numbers is usually around 6 weeks…with the exception of cingular’s gophone, which acts so much like a contract service the only thing that doesn’t get done is caller ID name assignment.
Joseph asks…
Which numbers on plastic bottles are recyclable?
Inside the recycle triangle, they have numbers like 1, 2, etc. Which ones are recyclable, because if I remember right not all of them are.
The Expert answers:
Technically, they can all be recycled. However, some take much more time and effort so recycling centers usually don’t take them.
The consensus is that numbers 1 and 2 will be taken at all locations. You might have some trouble recycling the other numbers.
However, some cities take all plastics labeled numbers 1-7. LA is one example.
Ruth asks…
What numbers of plastic can I recycle in Arkansas?
If any Arkansans know, or anyone knows a link where I can find out, I’d appriciate it.
The Expert answers:
I don’t know what it is for your area, but you should call your city and ask them. They do all the bi-laws for recycling and will give you all the information. Or, type your city into google and you’ll find the city website and it should say on there.
Helen asks…
what happens when social security uses up all the possible numbers?
just had a stray thought while i was filling out a form today. social security numbers have been around a long time. when all the possible numbers have been used up, do they recycle them and re-assign numbers of deceased people? or will they do something like the phone companies did when they ran out of x0x and x1x area codes, and change the system?
please answer if you know, the guys at work don’t want to hear any more about this!
thank you astrojoe: i guess i’ll sleep better knowing we’ll not run out of numbers. but out of funds? {sigh!}
The Expert answers:
The Social Security Administration says the numbering system will provide enough new numbers for several generations into the future – despite the fact that more than 400 million have been used, with 6 million more issued a year.
The number of possible combinations is 10 to the 9th power. This equals 1,000,000,000 possible combinations. There are approximately 600 million left. At the current rate that would leave enough for 100 years.
Unfortunately, Social Security is predicted to remain 100 % solvent only until 2041 and then only be able to pay out 74% after that. There will have to be some reform in the future if Social Security is to survive until the numbers run out.
See the source below for some other interesting Q and A on Social Security numbers. Te secod source addresses the solvency questions.
Laura asks…
Are Social Security Numbers ever recycled?
For example, a person died 10 years ago & no longer has any benefits tied to that number, would it be reassigned to a new applicant?
Also, what’s next after the administration issues card 999-99-9999?
The Expert answers:
From the “official” source: http://www.ssa.gov/history/hfaq.html
Q20: Are Social Security numbers reused after a person dies?
A: No. We do not reassign a Social Security number (SSN) after the number holder’s death. Even though we have issued over 415 million SSNs so far, and we assign about 5 and one-half million new numbers a year, the current numbering system will provide us with enough new numbers for several generations into the future with no changes in the numbering system.
George asks…
What do the numbers on the recycle logo represent?
The Expert answers:
* 1 – Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
* 2 – High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
* 3 – Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
* 4 – Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
* 5 – Polypropylene (PP)
* 6 – Polystyrene (PS)
* 7 – Other resins, like acrylonitrile butadine styrene (ABS)
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/question217.htm
Thomas asks…
Do they recycle social security number like they recycle phone numbers?
just curious
The Expert answers:
Apparently not (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_Numbers )
In part “Currently, a valid SSN cannot have an area number between 734 and 749, or above 772, the highest area number which the Social Security Administration has allocated.”
There are a lot of “area numbers” which have not been allocated, which can be allocated, and re-use of SSN’s would lead to confusion between the original person having the number and the new person having the number (e.g., calculating social security benefits).
John asks…
Do banks recycle account numbers?
I had my tax refund sent to an old account that i had a few years back,by accident.Do banks recycle account numbers,is it possible my refund is in someone else’s account,if so any ideas on how to fix this?
The Expert answers:
Re-use of account numbers is rare but possible.
Are you sure that someone else has the number?
Most banks don’t make a huge effort to find old depositors. After a time period they have to turn unclaimed funds back to the state (called escheating).
Your money may well be in an unclaimed/undepositable state at the bank or it may have been sent back to the Treasury.
CONTACT THE BANK ASAP
Michael asks…
Why do they make plastics with the recycle numbers 5 & 6 and we have no place to recycle them to?
The Expert answers:
We have facilities for 1-6 for plastic and newspaper and corrugated, but nothing for glass or Styrofoam. I think each community has a standard for what they think will be the most abundant in each area, and focuses on that type of material.
If you seem to be collecting a lot of 5 or 6 type plastics, contact your local recycling facility and ask them to start collecting those types. If no one asks about those types, they will not notice the need.
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