Ethan Clarke
Plastic pumps are notoriously difficult to recycle due to their mixed materials and tiny parts. Most pumps contain metal springs, which are not recyclable, and even if a pump is made of mono-material plastic, it may be sent to landfill as it is hard to identify during the recycling process. However, some companies are taking steps to improve the recyclability of their pumps, such as Ren Clean Skincare, which has developed a spring-free, all-plastic pump. There are also companies such as TerraCycle that specialize in recycling hard-to-recycle materials, giving consumers the option to recycle their pumps through take-back programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability of plastic pumps | Not widely recyclable, but some companies like TerraCycle and Nordstrom accept beauty product empties that are non-recyclable via normal curbside recycling. |
| Plastic pump characteristics | Often contain metal springs and multiple types of plastic, making them hard to recycle. |
| Solutions | Brands can redesign pumps for recyclability, use refillable bottles, or implement refill stations. Consumers can reuse pumps and deposit packages into the correct bins. |
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What You'll Learn
- Metal springs in plastic pumps can make them non-recyclable
- The presence of a recycling symbol is important for identification
- The difficulty of sterilising plastic pumps can be an issue
- The type of plastic used can determine the recyclability of a pump
- The need for disassembly and material sorting can be a challenge
Metal springs in plastic pumps can make them non-recyclable
Plastic pumps are often considered non-recyclable because they contain non-plastic components, such as metal springs and glass balls, which are difficult to separate. Metal springs, in particular, can make plastic pumps non-recyclable. While the majority of components in a traditional pump dispenser are made of polyethylene or polypropylene, pump assemblies often contain a steel spring that moves and releases a ball valve to access the liquid products. These metal springs can make it challenging to recycle the pump dispenser in existing recycling streams.
The presence of metal springs in plastic pumps can create several issues for recycling. Firstly, metal has been known to be detrimental to the plastic recycling process. Metal springs have different mechanical and chemical properties than plastic springs. For example, they have a much higher elastic modulus, which can affect the performance of recycling machines designed specifically for plastic. Additionally, metal springs can block recycling machines, requiring consumers to manually break the pump and remove the metal spring, which is difficult and inconvenient.
To address the issue of non-recyclable plastic pumps, some companies have introduced mono-material pumps, which are made entirely from plastic, including the spring and the ball. By using the same material for all components, mono-material pumps can be easily recycled through mainstream plastic recycling processes, just like plastic bottles and jars. This innovation ensures that consumers don't have to disassemble the pump before discarding it, making it a more convenient and eco-friendly option.
Some companies, like Taplast, have also adopted an eco-friendly approach by designing an AllPlastic Pump with a minimum environmental impact. Their products use recyclable materials and reduce the number and weight of components. Other brands, like Ren Clean Skincare, have developed spring-free, all-plastic pumps as an alternative solution. These innovations aim to improve the recyclability of plastic pumps and reduce their environmental impact.
While these advancements are promising, there is still room for improvement in the recycling infrastructure. Currently, most material sorting at facilities is done visually, which can lead to mono-material pumps being mistakenly sent to landfills. To enhance the recyclability of plastic pumps, a universal symbol indicating mono-materiality could be displayed on packages to help sorters identify and recycle them properly. Additionally, brands can play a role by offering refill pouches or stations to reduce the number of pumps discarded.
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The presence of a recycling symbol is important for identification
The presence of a recycling symbol is important for the identification of recyclable materials. Recycling symbols are universal indicators that provide information on the recyclability of a product. They serve as a quick and easy reference for consumers, helping them to understand how to properly dispose of the item.
The absence of a recycling symbol on a plastic pump, for example, can lead to confusion and uncertainty about its recyclability. In such cases, consumers may need to look for alternative indicators, such as the type of plastic used or the presence of metal components, which can impact recyclability.
Recycling symbols are particularly important for identifying mono-material pumps, which are made from a single type of material. These pumps can be easily mistaken for non-recyclable items if they lack a recycling symbol. As a result, they may end up in landfills instead of being properly recycled. By including a recycling symbol, consumers can easily identify mono-material pumps as recyclable and ensure they are disposed of correctly.
Additionally, recycling symbols can provide specific instructions on how to recycle a product. For instance, the How2Recycle label informs consumers if they need to remove certain parts, such as metal springs or caps, before recycling. This helps to ensure that the recyclable components are properly processed while reducing the negative impact of non-recyclable parts on the recycling stream.
Overall, the presence of a recycling symbol is crucial for the identification and proper disposal of recyclable materials. It empowers consumers to make informed decisions about waste management and contributes to a more sustainable future.
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The difficulty of sterilising plastic pumps can be an issue
In addition, the interior cavities of pumps can be difficult to fully sterilise, which may be why some companies, like Loop, choose not to reuse them. Redesigning pumps for recyclability is an approach that some brands are taking. For example, Ren Clean Skincare has developed a spring-free, all-plastic pump, although it is made from a variety of types of plastic, which can still be tricky to recycle.
To improve the recyclability of plastic pumps, it is important to educate consumers on how to properly dispose of them. For instance, consumers should be informed about the need to separate pumps from bottles and to look for the correct recycling symbols. However, even with proper disposal, the current recycling infrastructure may not be equipped to identify and sort mono-material pumps, leading to them being sent to landfills.
Overall, while some progress is being made in the recyclability of plastic pumps, the difficulty of sterilising them and the presence of small metal parts can pose challenges. To reduce the environmental impact of plastic pumps, it is important to focus on reducing, reusing, and refilling, in addition to recycling.
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The type of plastic used can determine the recyclability of a pump
The recyclability of a pump is determined by the type of plastic used, as well as other factors such as the presence of metal parts and the way it is labelled.
Most pumps are made from a variety of plastic types, making them tricky to recycle. For instance, Ren Clean Skincare's pump is made from multiple types of plastic, and while it is a step in the right direction, it is still challenging to recycle. Similarly, hand soap pumps are often assumed to be non-recyclable due to the absence of a recycling symbol and the presence of a metal spring.
On the other hand, some pumps are designed to be more recyclable. For example, Wista Airless Systems has created a mono-material pump made entirely of polyethylene (PE), including the attached tubes or bottles. This mono-material design ensures that the entire package can be recycled, as all parts are made from the same material. However, a challenge arises during the recycling process, as these mono-material pumps may be sorted as regular waste due to their visual similarity to non-recyclable pumps. To address this, a universal symbol indicating mono-materiality could be displayed on the packages, allowing sorters to identify and separate them for recycling.
Additionally, labels can play a role in the recyclability of pumps. "Full body shrink sleeve labels" that cover the entire surface of a bottle can interfere with recycling. These labels can deceive near-infrared sortation devices at recycling facilities, causing the bottles to be misdirected into the wrong plastic stream or even the landfill. However, some companies are developing labels that ensure proper recycling and eliminate the need for consumers to remove them before recycling.
In the absence of a comprehensive solution for recycling pumps, short-term alternatives can be considered. Consumers can reuse pumps by transferring them to new bottles or opting for refill pouches or stations. Some companies, like TerraCycle, specialize in recycling hard-to-recycle materials and offer take-back programs for empty packages.
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The need for disassembly and material sorting can be a challenge
The recycling of plastic pumps is a complex process that involves several steps, one of which is disassembly. This is necessary because pumps often contain multiple materials, such as stainless steel, plastic, glass, and rubber, which need to be separated into distinct recycling streams. For example, the recycling process of TerraCycle, a company that specialises in recycling hard-to-recycle materials, involves shredding the pump and then separating these different materials.
To address this challenge, some companies are redesigning pumps for improved recyclability. For instance, Ren Clean Skincare has developed a spring-free, all-plastic pump, and Wista Airless Systems has introduced a mono-material pump made entirely of polyethylene (PE). However, even with these innovations, the recycling process remains tricky due to the variety of plastic types involved.
Furthermore, consumer education and proper waste disposal are crucial in ensuring that recyclable pumps are not mistakenly discarded. Consumers must be informed about the recyclability of pumps and the correct bins to deposit them into. Without proper education and awareness, recyclable materials may end up in the wrong waste streams, contributing to environmental harm.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pumps can be recycled through specialist companies like TerraCycle. However, this is not a common practice, and most pumps are not recycled.
Plastic pumps often contain metal parts, such as springs, which are detrimental to the plastic recycling process. The pumps are also made of multiple types of plastic, which is tricky to recycle.
Brands can redesign pumps with recyclability in mind, using mono-materials that are easily identifiable by recycling facilities.
Consumers can ask brands to provide refill pouches or stations to reduce the need for new pumps. They can also shop at package-free stores and reuse their pumps with refillable bottles.
Look for a universal symbol on the packaging that indicates mono-materiality and recyclability. You can also check for the How2Recycle label, which provides accurate instructions on how to recycle different parts of the packaging.
