Omar Khalid
Plastic waste is a significant contributor to environmental degradation, and recycling is a critical step toward sustainability. However, the process of recycling plastics is complex and often less transparent than we imagine. It is dictated by market demand, price, and local regulations, and the success of these programs depends on everyone, from product designers to consumers. Consumers play a critical role in ensuring proper recycling by understanding their local recycling guidelines and preparing their plastic waste correctly before disposal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic that can be recycled | PET, HDPE, PLA, #6 plastic (in some municipalities), biodegradable plastics, plastic drink bottles, plastic cups for cold beverages, plastic lids, plastic grocery bags, plastic trays, plastic yogurt cups, plastic milk jugs, plastic bottles, plastic mail |
| Plastic that cannot be recycled | LDPE, PVC, #3 PVC, #6 PS (Styrofoam), plastic bags (in some areas), milk and juice cartons with waxy-filmy material and plastic spouts, plastic utensils, plastic lids on cardboard takeout containers, plastic cups with wax inside, plastic food wrappers, plastic in film form |
| Other factors | Check local programs, market demand, quality of the plastic, cleanliness of the plastic |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags are hard to recycle and often require returning to the store
- PVC is difficult to recycle due to manufacturing chemicals
- LDPE is used in shrink wrap and food wrappers but can't be recycled in curbside bins
- #6 plastic is often used for takeout packaging and is rarely accepted in curbside recycling
- Recycled plastics must compete with virgin materials in the market, so quality matters
Plastic bags are hard to recycle and often require returning to the store
Plastic bags are notoriously difficult to recycle. In fact, the odds of a plastic bag being recycled are nine to one. This is because plastic bags often fall into the crevices of recycling machinery. Many recycling centres do not accept plastic bags for this reason.
Most plastic bags are made from high-density polyethylene (#2 plastic), but the thinner-material bags (such as produce bags) are made from low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic). The recycling collection system is usually available through collection bins at grocery stores. However, black plastic bags are harder to recycle and sometimes omitted from store collection bins. This is because the plastic is dyed, producing dark pellets that limit reprocessing options.
Before the SB 270 mandate ended in January 2020, stores in California were required to collect plastic bags for recycling. Now, many stores no longer accept plastic bags for recycling. Some stores, such as Cole Hardware, accept "soft plastic" at certain locations.
To recycle plastic bags, ensure they are empty of any crumbs or receipts, and check for the #2 or #4 plastic symbol. If these symbols are not present, it is best to reuse the bag before throwing it away.
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PVC is difficult to recycle due to manufacturing chemicals
The world is producing twice as much plastic waste as it did two decades ago, with only 9% of plastics being successfully recycled. While recycling plastic is complicated, it is important to understand the process, especially as consumers. Before throwing something away, it is important to check what your city recycles, as every municipality is different.
One type of plastic, PVC, is particularly difficult to recycle. PVC, or poly(vinyl chloride), is the third most common plastic manufactured globally. It is highly resistant to impact, grease, and oils, oxidative reactions, deterioration, and corrosion, shock, and abrasion. Its durability affords it a service life of up to 110 years. Due to its strength and resistance, PVC is commonly found in pipes, meat wraps, medical packaging, blister packs, and clamshell packaging.
PVC is difficult to recycle due to the chemicals used in its manufacture. Vinyl chloride, one of the building blocks of PVC, is a potent carcinogen and one of the most commonly released industrial chemicals. The production of PVC also requires hazardous materials such as PFAS, asbestos, or mercury. The chemical structure of PVC means that even a small amount can contaminate up to half a ton of recycled plastic.
While solutions are being developed to separate these compounds from PVC, the current processes are limited. Chemical recycling of PVC waste is not carried out at an industrial scale due to technological and economic challenges. However, research in this area is promising and growing steadily.
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LDPE is used in shrink wrap and food wrappers but can't be recycled in curbside bins
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a type of plastic that is commonly used in the creation of everyday products. It is most often found in film form, such as shrink wrap, dry cleaning bags, and bread and frozen food wrappers. While LDPE is very widely used, it is not widely recycled, and this is a problem that affects everyone. LDPE is not accepted in curbside recycling bins in most places because it tends to clog machinery and gets mixed in with other materials. LDPE also has a low recycling rate, with only 6.2% of LDPE generated in 2015 being recycled, compared to 18.4% and 10.3% for plastics type #1 and #2 (PET and HDPE), respectively.
The low recycling rate of LDPE is due in part to the fact that it is not accepted in most curbside recycling programs. Many municipalities do not accept LDPE in curbside recycling bins because it is not financially worthwhile. LDPE has a tendency to tangle in recycling machinery, requiring workers to stop the machines and remove the plastic, which takes time and can damage equipment. Additionally, LDPE products often come in film form, which cannot be recycled in curbside bins.
To properly recycle LDPE products, it is best to take them to a retailer or drop-off site that offers plastic film recycling. Many grocery stores and other businesses that provide LDPE bags have collection bins where customers can return used bags for proper recycling. Some products made with LDPE can also be reused, such as grocery bags that can be saved and used as trash-can liners.
It is important to note that recycling is dictated by market demand, price determinations, and local regulations. Before throwing something away, it is essential to check what your local government and recycling programs accept for recycling. By properly recycling LDPE and other plastics, we can help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and protect our environment.
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#6 plastic is often used for takeout packaging and is rarely accepted in curbside recycling
Plastic products are labelled with a number, usually between 1 and 7, which indicates the type of resin used in the product. This number can be used to determine whether the product is recyclable and how it should be disposed of. #6 plastic, also known as polystyrene or Styrofoam, is often used for takeout food packaging, such as egg cartons, carry-out food containers, and packing peanuts. It is also used for plastic cutlery.
#6 plastic is not commonly accepted in curbside recycling programmes. This is because it is considered one of the most toxic plastics, and it is difficult to recover and recycle. However, some municipalities may accept it in its hard form, so it is worth checking with your local recycling centre. If your local programme does not accept #6 plastic, you may need to drop it off at a specialist facility.
It is important to note that, even if a plastic product has the recycling symbol on it, it may not be recyclable in your region. Market demand, local regulations, and the quality of the materials all play a role in determining whether a product will actually be recycled. Before throwing something away, it is always best to check what your local government or recycling centre advises.
To increase the chances of your plastics being recycled, it is important to keep them as clean as possible. Recycled materials must compete with new products in the market, so quality matters. Washing your plastics after each use can help ensure they have the chance to be recycled into new material.
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Recycled plastics must compete with virgin materials in the market, so quality matters
The process of recycling plastics is complex and less transparent than most people realize. It is dictated by market demand, price determinations, and local regulations. The success of recycling depends on everyone, from the product designer to the waste collector to the recycling factory worker. Consumers play a critical role in this process as well. The way they use products and the condition in which they discard them determine the value and quality of the materials post-use.
Recycled materials must compete with virgin materials in the market, so quality is essential. Virgin plastics are produced directly from fossil fuels, which are relatively inexpensive, giving them a competitive advantage in cost and consistency. They are also popular with manufacturers due to their uniform quality and lower cost. On the other hand, recycling is a multi-step process that is both labour-intensive and resource-intensive, making recycled plastics more expensive than virgin plastics. Sorting, cleaning, and reprocessing different plastic types to meet consistent quality standards incurs additional costs.
However, recycled plastics offer several benefits. They can help close the plastic loop and promote sustainability by reducing carbon footprints and greenhouse emissions. Recycled plastics can also be cost-saving for producers, as in-house recycled pellets can be directly put back into their production line. Additionally, recycled plastics can maintain the equivalent quality of virgin plastics if reliable recycling equipment is used. For example, compatibilizers can be used to create recycled plastic with identical properties to their virgin equivalents, often at a lower price point.
To create a truly circular economy where plastics are continuously recycled and reused, economic factors that favour virgin materials must be addressed. Regulatory policies and market changes are essential for levelling the playing field and promoting a circular economy where recycled plastics can compete with virgin materials. Consumers can play a role by supporting policies and brands that promote recycled materials, reducing their reliance on single-use plastics, and properly disposing of plastics in recycling bins.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can put some plastics in the recycling bin. However, the type of plastic that can be recycled varies depending on your location. For example, in Los Angeles, some plastic can be recycled. It is always best to check with your local recycling guidelines.
The type of plastic that can be recycled depends on your local recycling facilities and the market demand for the material. For example, PET, a common plastic drink bottle, and HDPE, a plastic used in grocery bags, can often be recycled. However, LDPE, which is often used in shrink wrap and food wrappers, and PVC, a strong plastic used in meat wraps and blister packs, are difficult to recycle and may not be accepted by your local recycling centre.
The type of plastic an item is made from is usually indicated by a symbol on the bottom of the product. For example, #6 plastic is often used for takeaway food packaging and #7 plastic is a miscellaneous category that includes biodegradable plastics.
Yes, it is important to wash plastic items after every use to increase the chance of them being recycled. Recycled materials must compete with new products in the market, so quality matters. Dirty plastics may be deemed useless and sent to landfill or incinerators instead of being recycled.
No, just because an item has a recycling symbol, it does not mean it will be recycled. The recyclability of an item depends on various factors, including market demand, price determinations, and local regulations.
