Alexei Volkov
Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, with less than 10% of plastic waste generated worldwide having ever been recycled. While almost all plastic can be recycled in theory, in practice, this process is often undermined by financial, environmental, and technical barriers. To determine whether a plastic container is recyclable, it is important to first understand your local recycling program and the types of plastic it accepts. Plastic containers typically feature a symbol or resin number, which can help you identify the type of plastic and whether it can be recycled in your area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Check local programs | Confirm what is recyclable in your area |
| Plastic type | There are seven different types of plastic used globally, each with distinct recycling instructions |
| Plastic identification | Look for the resin number inside a triangle on the container |
| Food contamination | Containers contaminated with food cannot be recycled |
| Compostable plastic | Not intended for recycling; check with your local government for drop-off locations |
| Biobased plastic | Read the product label to determine waste disposal options |
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What You'll Learn
Check local recycling programs
Local recycling programs are a crucial aspect of the recycling ecosystem, and understanding these programs is essential for effectively recycling plastic containers. These programs can vary from city to city and even between neighbourhoods, so it's important to educate yourself on the specific guidelines and practices in your area.
One of the first steps is to identify the entity responsible for waste management in your locality. This could be your municipality, a waste management company contracted by the local government, or a
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Understand recycling symbols
Recycling symbols are important to understand as they can give you an insight into where and how to recycle an item. However, it's also important to research and understand your local rules for recycling, as these vary and can determine what can and cannot be recycled in certain bins.
There are seven different types of plastic used around the world, and each has a different recycling symbol. These symbols represent the different types of plastic and provide distinct recycling instructions. For example, PS (polystyrene) can be made into rigid products or foam products, the latter is known as Styrofoam. However, not many curbside recycling programs accept PS in the form of rigid plastics, and foam products are often placed in a bag and put in the trash to prevent them from breaking apart into smaller pieces. LDPE, or plastic-type #4, is used to make plastic bags, and while technically recyclable, they are often not accepted in curbside recycling bins as they can tangle in the machinery.
HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, is a versatile plastic with many uses and carries a low risk of leaching. It is readily recyclable and can be picked up through most curbside recycling programs. It is found in milk jugs, juice bottles, and some trash and shopping bags.
Recycling symbols are a helpful guide to understanding the different types of plastic and how they can be recycled, but it is also important to understand your local rules and any specific requirements for recycling certain materials.
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Identify the type of plastic
The first step in determining whether a plastic container is recyclable is to identify the type of plastic it is made of. This can be done by looking for a resin identification code, usually located within a triangle symbol, often similar to the general recycling symbol. There are seven types of plastic, each with a unique number and symbol. These are:
- Polystyrene (PS): Polystyrene is a versatile plastic that can be made into rigid products or foam products, the latter of which is known as Styrofoam. It is not widely accepted in recycling programs due to its tendency to break apart into smaller pieces, and many manufacturers have switched to using PET instead.
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE): HDPE is a commonly used plastic with a wide range of applications, especially in packaging. It has a low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into various products. Examples of products made with HDPE include milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent bottles, and some trash bags.
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): This type of plastic, also known as plastic number 3, is not typically recyclable in standard collections.
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE): LDPE is often used for plastic bags provided by grocery stores and retailers. Technically, LDPE can be recycled, but it is not always accepted in curbside recycling bins due to the risk of tangling in machinery.
- Polypropylene (PP): Polypropylene, or plastic number 5, is challenging and costly to recycle due to the difficulty of removing the smell of the product it previously contained. Recycled PP is often used in industrial applications such as plastic lumber, park benches, and auto parts.
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): PET is the most commonly recycled plastic globally. It is known for its clarity, strength, and barrier properties, making it ideal for food and beverage packaging.
- "Other": This category includes all other types of plastic that are not part of the first six categories. Plastics in this category may be made from a variety of resins and are not commonly recycled.
It is important to note that the recyclability of these plastics may vary depending on your local recycling programs. Always check with your local guidelines to determine which types of plastic they accept and any specific preparation instructions.
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Know what can be recycled
It is important to know what can be recycled to ensure that you are recycling properly and efficiently. Recycling is the best step to take when you cannot reuse or avoid items to prevent them from ending up in landfills or harming marine life. However, it is not always easy to know what can be recycled and what can't.
Firstly, it is crucial to research and understand your local area's rules and legislation regarding recycling. Check your town or city's website for information on what is and is not accepted in the recycling program. Some materials may not be accepted by your local program, so it is worth checking before throwing something in the recycling bin. For example, styrofoam is rarely accepted in curbside recycling, and plastic bags and plastic wrap/film may need to be taken to a specific drop-off location. Additionally, some materials, like compostable plastics, may need to be taken to a separate drop-off location, as they cannot be recycled with other plastics.
Secondly, look out for the recycling symbols on plastic products. There are seven different types of plastic used globally, each with its own recycling symbol and instructions. These symbols can give you an idea of where and how to recycle an item. For example, HDPE (high-density polyethylene), denoted by the number 2 inside the recycling symbol, is a versatile plastic that carries a low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many types of goods. It is often found in milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent bottles, and some shopping bags. On the other hand, polyvinyl chloride, or plastic number 3, is not recyclable in normal collections.
Finally, some general guidelines on what can be recycled include:
- Plastic containers: these are usually recyclable, but make sure they are empty and rinsed clean of any food residue.
- Pizza boxes: these can be recycled, even if they have grease on them, as long as there are no food scraps left.
- Envelopes with plastic windows: these can be recycled, but it is best to remove as much food residue as possible first.
- Boxes: flatten cardboard boxes before placing them in the bin. Examples of recyclable cardboard containers include egg cartons, cereal boxes, and shoe boxes.
- Books: if they are in good condition, donate them to schools, charities, or non-profits. If they are not usable, they can be recycled. Paperback books can be recycled as-is, but remove the cover from hardcover books.
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How to recycle it
To determine whether a plastic container is recyclable, you should first check the local recycling guidelines for your area, as different localities have different rules for what they accept. You can do this by contacting your local government or waste management company.
Once you know what types of plastic your local program accepts, you can check whether your plastic container is recyclable by looking for a resin identification code. This code is a number surrounded by a triangle of arrows that should be stamped somewhere on the container. The number will be between 1 and 7 and will indicate the type of plastic the container is made from.
If your plastic container has no number, you can try to identify the type of plastic it is made from by checking online resources or asking the manufacturer.
If you are still unsure, it is best to throw the item away, as non-recyclable items can contaminate the recycling stream and cause issues for waste processors.
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): This type of plastic is commonly used for milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent bottles, and some shopping bags. It is widely recycled and can be picked up through most curbside recycling programs.
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): This is the plastic used for most plastic bags from grocery stores and other retailers. LDPE is technically recyclable, but many municipalities won't accept it in curbside recycling bins as it can tangle in the machinery. Instead, you can take LDPE to be recycled at some retail and grocery stores.
- PS (Polystyrene): PS is often found in disposable plates and cups, meat trays, and egg cartons. It is difficult to recycle and is not accepted by most curbside recycling programs. To dispose of PS, place it in a bag, squeeze out the air, and tie the bag before putting it in the trash.
- PET: PET is the most widely recycled plastic in the world and is used to make products such as polar fleece, bottles, and food containers.
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Frequently asked questions
Check the local guidelines for your area to see what types of plastic are accepted. You can also look for the resin number, which is usually contained in a triangle that looks like the recycling symbol. This will tell you what type of plastic the container is made of. However, this does not guarantee that it can be recycled in your community.
There are seven different types of plastic used around the world, each with its own recycling symbol. These include:
- HDPE (high-density polyethylene)
- LDPE (low-density polyethylene)
- PP (polypropylene)
- PS (polystyrene)
- PET
Recycled plastic can be turned into polar fleece, fibre, tote bags, furniture, carpet, panelling, straps, bottles, and food containers.
Plastic recycling can be difficult and expensive, especially when dealing with multiple types of plastic that are hard to separate. Small quantities of plastic can also make the process unprofitable due to high costs and low efficiencies. Additionally, certain types of plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (plastic number 3) and plastics number 6 and 7, are not recyclable through normal collections.
