Alexei Volkov
Philadelphia's recycling system has been criticized for its inefficiency, with some claiming that less than 5% of waste is recycled, mostly metal, while the rest is incinerated or landfilled. The city implemented a single-stream recycling system in 2007, which increased participation and efficiency but also led to more contaminated materials and recyclables that couldn't be recycled. Plastic bags, for example, are not accepted in curbside recycling as they can damage equipment and endanger workers. However, residents can recycle clean plastic bags and film at most local grocery stores. While Philadelphia accepts some plastics for recycling, such as numbers 1, 2, and 5, the process and market conditions are challenging, with many plastics being marked as recyclable when they are not.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags | Not accepted in curbside recycling due to damaging equipment. Can be recycled at most local grocery stores. |
| Plastic film | Can be recycled at most local grocery stores. |
| Single-stream recycling | Implemented in 2007. Allows all recyclable materials to be thrown into the same bin without sorting. |
| Recycling participation rate | Jumped from 6% before single-stream implementation to 20% post-implementation. |
| Contamination | An increase in contaminated materials due to single-stream recycling. Food waste, glass, and paper often mixed, leading to unrecyclable materials. |
| Plastic recycling rate | Less than 5% of plastic is recycled in Philadelphia. |
| Accepted plastics | #1 and #2 plastics are recyclable. Some sources mention #5 plastics as well. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags and film can be recycled at local grocery stores
Plastic bags and films can be recycled, but they are not accepted as part of regular curbside recycling programs. This is because plastic bags tear and wrap around the moving parts in recycling processing machines, leading to higher maintenance costs, equipment damage, and worker safety issues.
However, many local grocery stores and large retailers do accept plastic bags and film for recycling. In Philadelphia, most local grocery stores accept clean plastic bags and film for recycling.
Before dropping off your plastic bags and film at a local grocery store, be sure to clean and dry the materials. You can also reuse plastic bags if possible.
Once collected, plastic bags and films are typically baled and sold to independent companies that turn them into tiny plastic pellets. These pellets can then be recycled into new products, such as synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, or they may be used to create new plastic film, pouches, or bags.
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Plastic contamination in recycling
In Philadelphia, plastic bags and films can be recycled at most local grocery stores. However, they are not recyclable through the curbside recycling program. This is because plastic bags can damage recycling equipment by tearing and wrapping around the moving parts of recycling processing machines, leading to higher maintenance costs, equipment damage, and worker safety issues.
Other plastic items that are not accepted in curbside recycling, such as plastic lids, chip bags, and Styrofoam, can also contaminate the recycling process if improperly disposed of. These items must be disposed of in landfills, as recycling facilities lack the systems to recycle them. Improperly disposing of these plastics can lead to recycling contamination, where non-recyclable plastics mix with recyclable materials, reducing the quality and market value of the recyclables.
To prevent plastic contamination in recycling, it is essential to educate oneself on which materials are recyclable. Just because an item has a recycling symbol on it does not mean it belongs in the recycling bin. Checking with local guidelines, such as EcoCycle's recycling guidelines, can help individuals make informed decisions about plastic disposal. Additionally, avoiding plastic bags altogether and opting for reusable alternatives can significantly reduce plastic contamination in recycling streams.
Overall, plastic contamination in recycling is a pressing issue that requires collective action. By being mindful of proper plastic disposal methods and reducing plastic waste, individuals can play a crucial role in mitigating plastic contamination and supporting more effective recycling practices.
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Philadelphia's broken recycling system
Philadelphia's recycling system is broken. Many people attribute this to 2018 when China enacted the National Sword policy. China decided that the recycling contamination (how dirty the recyclables are) was too high, and their need for foreign recyclable materials was too low to continue taking the world's dirty recycling. As the US sent most of its recycling to China, the markets were turned on their heads.
Philadelphia implemented a single-stream recycling system in 2007, which increased participation and efficiency. However, it also increased the amount of contaminated materials and the quantity of materials that can't be recycled. The recycling participation rate jumped from 6% before single-stream was implemented to 20% post-implementation. The plastics industry often places the three-arrowed triangle symbol ("chasing arrows") on plastic, indicating that it can be recycled when, in reality, it often isn't.
The City of Philadelphia needs to improve its waste collection and recycling processes. They should bring back the collection of bulk items like refrigerators and couches, which are often dumped illegally. The City should also explore automated collection to reduce the physical toll on sanitation workers.
The Streets Department, responsible for streets engineering and sanitation, is overburdened and needs better leadership and professionals to manage the city's quality-of-life issues effectively.
To move towards a low-waste, circular economy, Philadelphia must improve its waste management system. This includes educating people to create an environment-friendly culture and implementing a system where producers and consumers work interdependently to reuse and recycle materials efficiently.
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Plastic recycling statistics
Plastic recycling is an important initiative to reduce plastic pollution and its environmental impact. While consumers, brands, and governments are making efforts to curb plastic pollution, they are often not enough. According to the OECD, only about 9% of the world's plastic is recycled. National Geographic estimates that if this trajectory continues, 12 billion metric tons of plastic waste will end up in landfills by 2050.
In 2018, the United States generated 35.7 million tons of plastic, with 12.2% of that being recycled—approximately 3 million tons. This recycling rate varies for different types of plastics. For instance, the recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, while for HDPE natural bottles, it was slightly higher at 29.3%. However, it's important to note that the recycling system in the US was initially set up to collect bottles, cans, and newspapers, and it may not be well-equipped to handle more complex plastic items.
The City of Philadelphia provides guidelines for its residents on how to recycle properly. They emphasize that not all items with a recycling symbol are accepted for curbside recycling. Plastic bags, for instance, are not suitable for curbside recycling as they can damage equipment. Philadelphia residents are advised to recycle clean plastic bags and films at local grocery stores instead. Additionally, they encourage residents to keep food and liquid out of their recycling bins and to rinse and dry bottles, cans, and plastic items before placing them in the bin.
Despite the challenges, recycling has socio-economic benefits, especially in developing countries. Plastic recycling initiatives can create jobs, support local economies, and empower communities to reduce environmental harm. With advancements in technology, such as AI and robotics, the recycling system is being modernized to accommodate the diverse types of plastic packaging used today. These innovations aim to strengthen recycling processes and increase the efficiency of sorting and processing recyclable materials.
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Cardboard recycling
Cardboard is recyclable in Philadelphia, but it is important to ensure that it is not contaminated with food waste or other materials. For example, if you have a pizza box, you can rip off the top of the box and recycle that, but the bottom of the box is likely to be soiled with grease and therefore cannot be recycled. It is also important to keep cardboard dry, as wet cardboard cannot be recycled.
When recycling cardboard, it is best to remove any packaging tape and delivery stickers to make the cardboard as pristine as possible. However, this is not mandatory, and the Streets Department states that you can toss cardboard directly into the bin as is.
It is worth noting that Philadelphia has a problem with poorly sorted and contaminated recycling. This includes the presence of wet cardboard and plastic bags in recycling bins, which can jam up the machinery. To avoid this, make sure to separate your cardboard from other materials and do not place it in a plastic bag for recycling. Instead, place your cardboard boxes directly into your recycling bin.
If you have a large amount of cardboard to recycle, you can also take it to one of Philadelphia's six Sanitation Convenience Centers. These centers accept a range of items for safe disposal and recycling, and you will just need to provide proof of Philadelphia residency.
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Frequently asked questions
Clean plastic bags and film can be recycled at most local grocery stores in Philadelphia.
No, plastic bags cannot be recycled curbside in Philadelphia. They can tear and wrap around the moving parts in recycling processing machines, leading to higher maintenance costs, equipment damage, and worker safety issues.
Philadelphia's recycling system can only truly recycle #1 and #2 plastics. The city also recycles metals, and some sources state that glass is also recycled.
