Chloe Zhang
Plastic recycling is a complex process, and less than 10% of plastic waste has ever been recycled, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. Number 5 plastics, or polypropylene, are considered hard-to-recycle materials. Before China's National Sword policy was introduced in 2018, these plastics were widely accepted in curbside and drop-off recycling centres. However, after China stopped accepting contaminated plastic waste, the recycling of Number 5 plastics became more challenging. While some local recycling programs are reintroducing the recycling of rigid Number 5 plastics, films and bags remain an issue. To navigate the complexities of plastic recycling, it is essential to understand the seven plastic recycling symbols and their distinct instructions.
Recycling #5 Plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | Difficult to recycle, but some curbside and drop-off programs accept them. |
| Accepted by | Some curbside and drop-off recycling centers, TerraCycle (in their All-in-One Zero Waste Box), and some municipalities. |
| Preparation | Containers should be emptied and scraped as much as possible before recycling. |
| Contamination Risk | Containers with food and liquid residues can contaminate entire batches of recycling. |
| Caps | Can be left on the container, as recycling equipment can now handle them. |
| Heat Sensitivity | Should be kept away from heat sources like microwaves, dishwashers, and cars to prevent breakdown and chemical release. |
| Examples of #5 Plastic Items | Yogurt cups and tubs, margarine tubs, syrup bottles, plastic bottle caps, straws, food storage containers, sunglasses, plastic furniture, and car interiors. |
| Suggested Alternatives | Buying yogurt in bulk, glass containers, or making your own; using glass food storage containers and metal straws. |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling plastic #5 (polypropylene)
Plastic #5, also known as polypropylene, is one of the five most common plastics. It is lightweight, strong, and offers good protection from moisture or chemicals. It also has a high melting point, which makes it useful for holding hot materials. This is why it is often used for food containers, such as yogurt cups and margarine tubs, and in the production of yogurt. It is also used for prescription medicine bottles, hummus tubs, single-use cutlery, and some packaging for personal care products like deodorant, lotion, or shampoo. Lids of single-use drink bottles are often made of plastic #5 as well.
Plastic #5 can be recycled into items such as battery cables and cases, brooms, brushes, bicycle racks, and ice scrapers. Both rigid and flexible forms can be recycled, but the steps for recycling are different. Many curbside recycling programs accept rigid plastic products like plastic bottles or tubs, but most will not accept flexible PP like bags or soft packaging. It is important to check with your local recycling program to see what they accept.
In some places, soft plastics can be recycled through local drop-off points at supermarkets or other stores. There are also mail-in options for recycling polypropylene, but these can be expensive. The international humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization Mathew 25: Ministries accepts clean, empty pill bottles.
To reduce your use of plastic #5, you can buy yogurt in bulk or in glass containers, or make your own. You can also order a three-month supply of medicine instead of a one-month supply, cutting down on packaging. Look for ways to reuse or upcycle your plastic containers.
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Curbside recycling programs
In the context of #5 plastic recycling, the acceptance in curbside programs has changed over time. Before 2018, #5 plastics were widely accepted in curbside recycling centers. However, after China's National Sword policy was introduced in 2018, which stopped the acceptance of contaminated plastic waste, some curbside programs stopped accepting #5 plastics. Recently, there has been a shift towards reintroducing #5 rigid plastic recycling in certain curbside programs, but films and bags remain challenging to recycle.
To effectively utilize curbside recycling programs for #5 plastics, it is essential to separate and clean the materials before placing them in the recycling bin. It is also worth noting that some areas may have specific guidelines or restrictions on the types of plastic they accept. Therefore, checking with your local solid waste district or referring to local guidelines is crucial to ensure your #5 plastics are recycled properly.
Some curbside recycling programs may have specific requirements or restrictions on the types of plastic they accept. For example, some programs may only accept certain types of plastic resin bottles, while others may specify that plastic bags and films are not accepted due to the risk of tangling in recycling equipment. It is always worth checking with your local program to ensure you are recycling #5 plastics correctly and not contributing to contamination issues.
Additionally, some organizations, such as TerraCycle, offer specialized recycling programs for hard-to-recycle materials, including certain #5 plastics. These programs may involve mailing in your recyclables or dropping them off at specific locations, providing alternative options if curbside recycling in your area is limited. Remember, reducing plastic waste starts with avoiding plastics that cannot be easily recycled and reusing or upcycling plastic containers whenever possible.
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Plastic waste in landfills
Plastic recycling is a complex process, and it is becoming particularly challenging for #5 plastics. While some recycling programs do accept #5 plastics, they are not as widely accepted as other types of plastics. Curbside and drop-off recycling centers often do not take #5 plastics, and they cannot be recycled in standard recycling bins.
The difficulty in recycling #5 plastics means that a lot of this plastic waste ends up in landfills, which has significant environmental and health implications. Plastic is hard to degrade, and it can persist in the environment for decades. Landfills fill up quickly with plastic waste, and new spaces are constantly needed to store it. In many countries, waste landfilling is not properly conducted, and plastic leaks into the environment, leading to increasing pollution of the land and sea.
The degradation of plastic waste in landfills can lead to the release of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic emissions, which pose risks to both the environment and human health. The formation and spread of microplastics from landfills is a primary environmental concern, as they can be transported by air and leachate to surrounding environments. Microplastics are also emitted into the environment from primary sources such as cosmetic and cleansing products, and secondary sources such as the degradation of plastic bags and packing products.
To address the issue of plastic waste in landfills, there is a need for improved waste management practices and policies. Microbial degradation presents a promising alternative, as certain microorganisms and enzymes can degrade synthetic plastics. Additionally, limiting plastic use, reusing and recycling plastic, and proper disposal in controlled landfills are important strategies to reduce plastic waste.
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Recycling plastic resin identification
The RIC consists of a set of symbols, including numbers from 1 to 7, enclosed within a triangle, which indicate the type of plastic resin used to make the product. These codes help recycling facilities sort and separate items, ensuring that like materials are recycled together to preserve the value of the recycled material. While the presence of a RIC on a product does not guarantee its recyclability, it provides important information about the plastic resin type.
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE): Commonly used for soda bottles, water bottles, cooking oil containers, peanut butter jars, and other food containers. PET is the most widely recycled plastic and can be recycled into polyester fabric, filling for cushions and carpets, and even reused as recycled PET (rPET) plastic bottles.
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and cleaning product containers. HDPE is recyclable and can be turned into recycled plastic bottles (rHDPE).
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): A soft, flexible plastic used for plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture. PVC products cannot be recycled.
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): Used for plastic wrappings, grocery bags, bread bags, and produce bags. LDPE bags should not be placed in recycling bins but can be returned to grocery stores for proper recycling.
- Polypropylene (PP): Often chosen for containers that hold hot liquids due to its high melting point. PP is gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers and can be recycled through some curbside programs, but ensure that the containers are clean and free of food residue.
- Polystyrene: There are two types of polystyrene: brittle plastic (used in plastic forks and yogurt pots) and expanded polystyrene (used in foamy takeaway packaging, Styrofoam, and insulation). Polystyrene is not recyclable in normal Local Authority collections.
- Other Plastics: This category includes bioplastics, composite plastics (like crisp wrappers), plastic-coated wrapping paper, and polycarbonate (which contains BPA). Plastics with the code 7 are not recyclable in standard collections.
It is important to note that the acceptability of different plastic resins for recycling can vary by region and local recycling facilities. Consumers should check with their local facilities or refer to packaging form instructions (e.g., "bottles," "tubs," "lids") to determine what can be included in their curbside recycling bins. Additionally, some companies, like TerraCycle, offer specialized recycling programs for hard-to-recycle plastics.
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Plastic recycling companies
Plastic recycling is a complex process, and some types of plastics are harder to recycle than others. Number 5 plastics, for example, are considered hard-to-recycle materials. This type of plastic is often used for yogurt containers, pill bottles, and other products. While some curbside and drop-off recycling programs have reintroduced #5 rigid plastic recycling, films and bags remain a problem.
Some plastic recycling companies have emerged as leaders in tackling hard-to-recycle materials, such as TerraCycle and PureCycle. TerraCycle, a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle materials, offers free and paid recycling solutions for almost every form of waste. They have developed custom supply chains to collect and process unique recycled materials, such as beach plastic and festival waste, for integration into brand packaging. They also offer Loop, a reuse platform that enables their partners to rethink and design disposable packaging into durable, reusable alternatives.
PureCycle, on the other hand, focuses on transforming polypropylene plastic waste (which is designated as No. 5 plastic) into like-new plastic through their patented recycling process. They separate color, odor, and impurities from plastic waste feedstock to create ultra-pure recycled (UPR) resin. This process helps make recycled polypropylene more accessible at scale to companies seeking sustainable solutions. PureCycle's mission is to revolutionize plastic waste into a renewable resource and create an infinitely sustainable planet.
In addition to these leading companies, there are other plastic recycling plants and services, such as Miller Recycling, that provide information and solutions for recycling different types of plastics. They offer insights into which types of plastics can be recycled and how businesses can efficiently recycle materials. It's important to note that recycling options may vary based on location, so it's always a good idea to check with local solid waste districts or recycling companies for specific guidelines and programs.
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Frequently asked questions
#5 plastic, or polypropylene, is used to make items including yogurt cups and tubs, margarine tubs, syrup bottles, plastic bottle caps, straws, food storage containers, sunglasses, and plastic furniture.
#5 plastic can be recycled, but it depends on your location. Before China’s National Sword policy was introduced in 2018, #5 plastics were widely accepted in both curbside and drop-off recycling centers. Now, some curbside and drop-off programs are reintroducing #5 rigid plastic recycling, but films and bags remain a problem. Check with your local solid waste district to find out your local options.
If possible, avoid plastic and buy products in bulk or in glass containers. You can also reuse or upcycle your plastic containers. For example, you can make suncatchers out of clear lids or use plastic containers for storage.
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