Sofia Martinez
Plastic is ubiquitous in the modern world, and while almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, there are many barriers to doing so in practice. One of the main obstacles to recycling plastic is a lack of awareness about the seven different types of plastic and their respective recycling methods. Number 6 plastic, for instance, is polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam, which is challenging to recycle due to its fragility and the presence of styrene, which can leach when heated. To recycle number 6 plastic, it must first be collected from homes, businesses, and local recycling centres, then sorted from other materials and other types of plastic. After that, it is washed, shredded, melted, and extruded into new recycled plastic pellets, which can be sold to create new products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycling symbol | Number 6 inside a triangle |
| Plastic type | Polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam |
| Properties | Cheap to produce, lightweight, easily formed, fragile |
| Uses | Packaging, insulation, disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, to-go food containers |
| Recyclability | Hard to recycle, not accepted by most public recycling centers |
| Recycling process | Collection, sorting, reprocessing into new products |
| Recycled into | Plastic lumber, park benches, auto parts, speed bumps, industrial applications |
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What You'll Learn
- Collection: Plastic is deposited by users into a recycling container
- Sorting: Facilities separate plastic from other materials and into types
- Reprocessing: Plastic is washed, shredded, sorted, melted, and extruded into new pellets
- Plastic recycling symbols: Each symbol represents a different type of plastic and distinct recycling instructions
- Plastic types: Some plastics are easier to recycle than others
Collection: Plastic is deposited by users into a recycling container
The first step in the plastic recycling process is the collection of plastic waste. This involves individuals and businesses depositing their plastic waste into recycling containers. These containers can be found in various locations, including homes, businesses, schools, local recycling centres, and front-of-store recycling sites.
It is important that users correctly sort their plastic waste before placing it into the recycling containers. This means separating different types of plastic and ensuring that only recyclable items are included. Some items, such as plastic bags, should not be placed in recycling bins as they can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities. Instead, grocery stores often collect these bags for proper recycling.
The resin code on plastic products, usually a number inside a small triangle made of arrows, can help users identify the type of plastic and determine if it can be recycled. However, it is important to note that the presence of a resin code does not always mean the product can be recycled, as some plastics are difficult or costly to recycle.
Once the plastic is deposited into the recycling containers, it is collected by local authorities or waste management contractors and taken to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) or Plastic Recovery Facilities (PRFs) for further sorting and processing.
The collection stage is crucial for the success of the recycling system. The more plastic that is collected and properly sorted by users, the more material is available for reprocessing and reuse, reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or harms marine life.
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Sorting: Facilities separate plastic from other materials and into types
Once plastic is collected from homes, businesses, schools, and local recycling centres, it is sent to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to be sorted. Sorting is the second stage of the recycling process. The mixed recycling is removed from the collection vehicles and placed onto conveyer belts. Conveyer belts are used to maintain a constant flow of waste passing through the sorting facility. Sorting equipment such as an optical sorter is used to distinguish between different types of plastics.
An example of a sorting technique is the OCC screen, which separates old corrugated cardboard (OCC) from mixed recyclables. This is achieved by passing material over a rotating disc system. The thick discs provide lateral agitation of materials. The cardboard travels across the top of the screen, while other materials fall through the rotating discs.
Another example is the ballistic separator, which is a mechanical device that consists of two oscillating paddles. These paddles move rigid waste items to one end and flexible items (paper, card) to the other, allowing glass and finer materials to fall through the mesh. The rigid items can be bottles, containers, or cans, while the flexibles may be paper, card, newspapers, and plastic wrapping.
A magnet separator is used to remove any metals present. Waste travels on conveyer belts under a magnet where metals are separated and placed into a separate storage bin.
After sorting at the MRF, the plastic may be sent to a Plastic Recovery Facility (PRF) for further sorting into different types of plastic.
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Reprocessing: Plastic is washed, shredded, sorted, melted, and extruded into new pellets
Once the plastic waste has been collected from homes, businesses, and local recycling centres, it is sent to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to be sorted. The plastic is then transported to a Plastic Recovery Facility (PRF) for further sorting into different types of plastic. This is done using various techniques and equipment such as conveyer belts, optical sorters, and wet processes like the Sink-float separator, which separates high-density plastic (which sinks) from low-density plastic (which floats).
After sorting, the plastic undergoes the reprocessing stage, which involves several steps:
- Washing: The plastic is washed to remove any food or other materials that may be stuck to it. This step is crucial as it ensures the rest of the recycling process operates effectively.
- Shredding: The washed plastic is then shredded into smaller pieces, often referred to as "ground into flakes."
- Sorting: Further sorting may be required to remove any contaminants, such as glass or small metals, that might have been missed during the initial sorting stage.
- Melting: The sorted plastic is then melted down. This is a common step in plastic recycling, known as mechanical recycling, which involves the melting and reforming of plastic into new items.
- Extrusion: The molten plastic is then extruded, meaning it is pushed or drawn through a small opening, to form new plastic pellets.
These newly formed plastic pellets are then sold to manufacturers to be used in the creation of new products. This reprocessing stage is essential in transforming waste plastic into valuable raw material for industry.
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Plastic recycling symbols: Each symbol represents a different type of plastic and distinct recycling instructions
Plastic recycling symbols, also known as resin codes, are numbers between one and seven, found inside a small triangle made of arrows. Each of the seven symbols represents a different type of plastic, with distinct recycling instructions. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily indicate recyclability; it is the number inside the triangle that is important, as each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
Symbol 1 (PET or PETE): This symbol represents polyethylene terephthalate, commonly used for soft drink bottles, water and juice containers, and cooking oil containers. It is lightweight, strong, and inexpensive, making it ideal for single-use packaging. PET is easy to recycle and widely accepted by curbside recycling programs. It can be recycled into new containers, carpet, furniture, and winter jackets.
Symbol 2 (HDPE): This symbol stands for high-density polyethylene, a common type of plastic found in household products like milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent containers. HDPE is lightweight yet durable, making it suitable for these applications. It is also easy to recycle and accepted by most curbside recycling programs. Recycled HDPE is used to create pens, toys, engineered lumber, outdoor furniture, and traffic cones.
Symbol 3 (PVC or V): Polyvinyl chloride, also known as vinyl, is represented by this symbol. PVC is versatile, strong, durable, and flexible, making it suitable for piping, medical equipment, plastic gloves, and food packaging. However, PVC contains hazardous chemicals and is difficult to recycle, with a very low recycling rate. When recycled, it can be used to make binders, window frames, gutters, flooring, and fencing.
Symbol 4 (LDPE): Low-density polyethylene, or LDPE, is identified by this symbol. LDPE is used for shopping bags, highly-resistant sacks, and crushed bottles. These bags should not be placed in recycling bins as they can tangle in recycling equipment, but they can be returned to stores or special collection points for proper recycling. LDPE can be recycled into trash cans, compost bins, shipping envelopes, panelling, and floor tiles.
Symbol 5 (PP): Polypropylene, or PP, is a durable, strong, and lightweight plastic marked by this symbol. It is used in a variety of applications, including containers for hot liquids, furniture, luggage, toys, and car parts. PP is gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers and can be recycled through some curbside programs.
Symbol 6 (PS): This symbol represents polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam. Polystyrene is commonly used for disposable cups, packing materials, coolers, and food containers. It is challenging to recycle, and many curbside recycling programs do not accept it. However, when recycled, it can be used to create egg cartons, takeout containers, and rulers.
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Plastic types: Some plastics are easier to recycle than others
Plastic is one of the most complicated materials to recycle, partly because consumers don't know which types can be disposed of and in which ways. There are seven different types of plastic, each with its own recycling instructions. Some plastics are easier to recycle than others.
One of the most widely recycled plastics in the world is PET (or PETE, which stands for polyethylene terephthalate). PET is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks, as well as cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and other food containers. It is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle. However, its recycling rates remain relatively low (around 20%), even though the material is in high demand by manufacturers. PET can be recycled into new bottles, fashion items, polar fleece clothes, backpacks, and carpets.
HDPE plastics are also extremely common and can be recycled. They are used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, and detergent bottles. PP (polypropylene) is another plastic that can sometimes be recycled. It is often chosen for containers that hold hot liquids, such as yogurt containers, syrup and medicine bottles, and bottle caps. However, only a small percentage of PP is recycled, with most ending up in landfills.
On the other hand, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a type of plastic that cannot be easily recycled. It is a soft, flexible plastic used for household products like plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture. Similarly, plastic bags, such as grocery bags and produce bags, are not suitable for recycling bins as they can get tangled in recycling equipment. LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is a very cheap and low-quality plastic, making it financially unattractive for recycling.
The recyclability of plastic depends on various factors, including the number of different plastic types and layers used in an item, contamination by food or other substances, and the availability of advanced recycling technologies. While almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, economic and technical barriers can make it difficult or costly in practice.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic #6 stands for polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam. It is cheap to produce, lightweight, and easily formed. It is used for packaging and insulation.
Plastic #6 is hard to recycle because it breaks up easily and ends up in the environment. It is also fragile and contains styrene, which can be leached when heated. However, some recycling centres do accept it. The first step of recycling is collection, followed by sorting, and then reprocessing. During reprocessing, the plastic is washed, ground into flakes, heated, and extruded into new pellets.
Recycled plastic #6 is often used for plastic lumbers, park benches, auto parts, and speed bumps. It is also used for industrial applications.
Plastic #6 can sometimes be recycled through curbside recycling programs, but it depends on your local municipality's guidelines. Check with your local waste recycling factories to see if they accept it.
