Omar Khalid
Plastic is a highly versatile material that is used to make a wide range of products, from beverage bottles to food containers and toys. While plastic is recyclable, it is often disposed of in non-environmentally friendly ways, leading to polluted oceans, overextended landfills, and ecological damage. The recycling process involves collecting, sorting, and reprocessing plastic, and there are several types of plastic that are commonly recycled, including PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PP. Each type of plastic has different processing needs and is recycled into different products. For example, PET bottles can be recycled into new bottles, fashion items, or construction materials, while HDPE is recycled into items like pens, plastic lumber, and bottles. LDPE and PP are also recycled, but they are more difficult and expensive to process. Overall, understanding the different types of plastics and their recycling processes is crucial for improving the environment and promoting sustainable practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of plastic types | 7 |
| Most widely recycled plastic | PET |
| Other easily recycled plastics | HDPE, LDPE, PP |
| Recycled into | Polar fleece clothes, backpacks, carpets, bottles, furniture, plastic lumber, fencing, bottles, cans, shipping envelopes, paneling, flooring, bubble wrap, etc. |
| Plastic recycling process | Collection, sorting, reprocessing |
| Sorting methods | Manual, mechanised automated, by colour |
| Recycling symbols | 7 |
| Recycling rates | India, Europe, and South Korea have rates higher than 50%. |
| Plastic waste management | Landfill, incineration, transportation abroad |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling symbols and how to read them
Recycling symbols are important as they help us identify how different types of packaging can be recycled. They are usually found on everyday items, from soft drink cans to toiletry bottles. These symbols are based on what the majority of local authorities collect or do not collect for recycling.
Recycling symbols typically feature a 'chasing arrows' symbol surrounding a number, known as a Resin Identification Code. This number, between 1 and 7, defines the type of plastic resin used to make the item.
- PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): Used for drinks bottles and some food packaging. It is widely recycled and accepted by most recycling programs.
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Used for milk cartons, cleaning product bottles, etc. It is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is widely accepted at recycling centres.
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Used for car parts, window fittings, etc. PVC is not easily recyclable and is seldom recycled.
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): Used for plastic bags, plastic wrap, and similar items. LDPE is difficult to recycle and can damage recycling equipment. It is recycled at specialist points.
- PP (Polypropylene): Used for some tubs, trays, ketchup bottles, kitchen containers, etc. It is widely recycled, although the market for PP has decreased since China stopped buying America's recyclable waste in 2018.
- PS (Polystyrene): Used for takeaway boxes, disposable cutlery, etc. Polystyrene is not easily recyclable and is rejected by most curbside recyclers.
- Other: This miscellaneous category includes plastics that don't fit into the other six categories, such as fiberglass, polycarbonate, and plexiglass. These plastics are not accepted curbside but may be accepted by drop-off centres or mail-in programs.
It is important to note that not all packaging will have a recycling label, but this does not mean it cannot be recycled. Additionally, while the universal recycling symbol is easily recognised, there are variations depending on the country or continent, which can cause confusion for consumers.
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The different types of plastic
Plastic is a versatile material with a wide range of applications. While it has benefited humanity in many ways, it has also contributed to environmental issues, particularly pollution. There are hundreds of types of plastic, but only a handful are commonly used. These plastics are numbered according to their recycling codes, which provide information about their safety and biodegradability.
One of the most common types of plastic is Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), which is used for beverage bottles, food bottles/jars, and even polyester clothing. PET is lightweight, strong, and typically transparent, making it ideal for food packaging. It is also one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world, often being recycled into fashion items, carpets, and even construction materials.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is another commonly used plastic. It is strong, resistant to moisture and chemicals, and safe for food contact. HDPE is used in cartons, containers, pipes, toys, and other building materials. It is also one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle, and most recycling centers accept it. Recycled HDPE is turned into items such as bottles, pens, and plastic lumber.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) has a simpler structure than HDPE, making it easier to produce. LDPE is commonly used for bags, plastic wrap, and squeezable bottles. While it is more challenging to recycle than HDPE, more programs are beginning to accept LDPE for recycling, turning it into items like garbage cans and bubble wrap.
Polypropylene (PP) is a hard and sturdy plastic that can withstand high temperatures. It is used in various products, including Tupperware, car parts, thermal vests, and disposable diapers. PP can be recycled, but it is often thrown away. Recycled PP is usually included in industrial applications like plastic lumber, park benches, and auto parts.
Polystyrene is the sixth type of plastic on the list and can be solid or foamed. It is inexpensive, lightweight, and insulates well, making it common in beverage cups, packing materials, disposable dinnerware, and construction. However, polystyrene is highly flammable and dangerous as it can leach harmful chemicals when heated. It is not biodegradable and is often mistaken as food by birds and marine animals.
The seventh type of plastic is a catch-all group for plastics that don't fit into the first six types. This group includes polycarbonates (PC), which are used to create strong and tough products like lenses, mobile phones, and compact discs. While plastic has its benefits, understanding the different types of plastic and their impact on the environment is crucial for making informed decisions about the products we buy and our recycling practices.
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How plastic is recycled
Plastic is a highly versatile material, with a wide range of uses. While almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, in practice, only a small percentage of plastic waste has ever been recycled globally. This is due to a variety of economic, environmental, and technical barriers. For instance, some types of plastic are hard to separate when combined in a single product, making the recycling process difficult and costly.
The first step in the recycling process is the collection of plastic waste from homes, businesses, and schools. This is typically done by local authorities, either directly or through waste management contractors. The collected plastic waste is then sent to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), which separate plastic from non-plastic materials. The plastic is then sent to Plastic Recovery Facilities (PRFs), which sort the plastic by type. Sorting is done manually or using mechanised automated processes or colour.
Once sorted, there are two main ways to recycle plastic: mechanical recycling and chemical recycling. In mechanical recycling, the plastic is washed, ground into flakes or pellets, and melted to form new products. In chemical recycling, the plastic is broken down into monomers to form new polymers to be reused.
Different types of plastics have different recycling processes and end uses. For example, PET (or PETE) is a commonly recycled plastic found in beverage bottles and food containers. Recycled PET is often used in fashion items such as polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets. It can also be recycled into new PET bottles or used as a construction material in developing countries. HDPE, another commonly recycled plastic, is found in milk jugs, detergent bottles, and trash bags. Recycled HDPE is used to make items such as pens, plastic lumber, and bottles.
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Barriers to recycling plastic
Plastic is a versatile material, and almost all of it can be recycled. However, there are several barriers that prevent us from recycling more plastic.
One of the main challenges is the complexity of plastic as a material. There are hundreds of different kinds of plastics, each with unique properties, such as colour, shape, structure, and melting point. This makes it crucial to sort plastic into different categories to keep it as pure as possible. However, this can be difficult for consumers who may not have the knowledge to distinguish between different types of plastics. For instance, consumers may not know that PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastics, commonly found in beverage bottles, are generally safe, but can absorb odours and flavours from stored contents.
Additionally, many products are manufactured with multiple types of plastic and different layers, making it challenging and costly to separate and recycle them. This often leads to plastics being incinerated or sent to landfills, resulting in a waste of valuable resources. Manufacturers can address this issue by considering recycling at the design stage, making it easier to disassemble products into waste fractions free from residues of other materials.
Another barrier to recycling plastic is the lack of infrastructure and collaboration in the plastic industry. Plastic recycling requires collaboration between raw material suppliers, subcontractors, and manufacturers to find solutions that work for everyone. However, this level of cooperation is currently lacking in the plastic industry.
Furthermore, economic factors also play a role in hindering plastic recycling. Virgin raw materials are sometimes cheaper than recycled plastic, making it financially challenging for businesses to justify the added cost of recycling. Additionally, certain plastics, such as Polypropylene (PP), are difficult and expensive to recycle, and the recycled product often ends up with limited use due to colour constraints.
Lastly, time constraints and confusion among consumers about plastic recycling also contribute to low recycling rates. Surveys suggest that while many people intend to recycle, they may not follow through due to time pressures, especially in households with young children. Moreover, consumers have expressed a need for better information about which plastics can be recycled at home, indicating that improved communication and education could enhance recycling rates.
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How to recycle plastic at home
Plastic is a highly versatile material that is used to make a wide range of products. While almost all plastic can be recycled, there are several barriers that can make it difficult to do so. For instance, many items are made from multiple types of plastic, which can be challenging and costly to separate.
The most common types of plastic that are recycled include PET, HDPE, and PP, which are used to make items such as bottles, milk cartons, yoghurt pots, and takeaway trays. These plastics can be recycled through mechanical recycling, which involves sorting, shredding, washing, and melting the plastic waste to form pellets, which are then remoulded into new products.
To recycle plastic at home, one option is to use a 3D printer to create new products from recycled plastic. This process is known as distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) and has gained traction in recent years. With a 3D printer, individuals can recycle plastic waste into valuable products such as decorations, gifts, home and garden products, accessories, shoes, toys, and sporting goods. To recycle plastic at home using a 3D printer, follow these steps:
- Sort and wash the plastic with soap and water or run it through the dishwasher.
- Convert the plastic into 3D printer filament using a recyclebot, which turns ground plastic into filament.
- Use a 3D printer to print the filament into a desired shape or product.
Another method of recycling plastic at home is by melting and moulding. This process involves washing plastic bottles, cutting them into small pieces, and melting them in an oven at 350°F. The melted plastic can then be moulded into new shapes. However, it is important to note that melting plastic can produce toxic fumes, so it should be done in a well-ventilated area or with an exhaust fan.
Additionally, some local authorities, states, and countries have specific rules and facilities for collecting and recycling plastic waste. It is important to check with your local guidelines to ensure proper recycling practices.
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Frequently asked questions
There are seven different types of plastic used around the world, categorised by their resin type. The most widely recycled plastic is PET, which is commonly found in beverage bottles. PET is often recycled into fashion items, such as polar fleece clothing, backpacks and carpets.
HDPE is the second most recycled plastic and is commonly found in milk jugs, juice bottles and cleaning product containers. It is also one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle.
Polypropylene (PP) is difficult and expensive to recycle. It is often hard to get rid of the smell of the product the plastic contained in its first life.
Most plastics have a recycling symbol on them, known as an SPI Code. This provides information about the safety and biodegradability of the plastic. Understanding these codes will help you know how to sort your waste for recycling.
The plastic is collected and sent to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to be sorted. It is then washed, shredded and sorted further before being melted and extruded into new recycled plastic pellets. These pellets are then sold on to be used in new products.
