Sofia Martinez
California has been taking steps to address its plastic problem and build a circular economy. The state has implemented various measures, such as passing bills and laws, to reduce plastic waste, increase recycling rates, and promote the use of recycled content in products. However, with the variety of plastic types and the challenge of sorting and separating them, it can be confusing for residents to determine which plastics can be recycled. This is further complicated by the fact that some plastics with recycling symbols may not actually be recyclable. So, how can Californians know which plastics can be recycled?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic marked with numbers | 1, 2, and 5 are deemed recyclable |
| Plastic with the chasing arrows symbol | Only products with codes 1 and 2 can bear this symbol |
| Plastic that is not recyclable | Plastic utensils, flexible film items like plastic bags, plastic forks and knives, coffee cups, takeout boxes, used cosmetics, styrofoam trays, and most kinds of plastic bags |
| Plastic that is recyclable | Tubs, bottles, and jugs are recyclable |
| Plastic that is recycled into new products | HDPE, PET plastic, or polyethylene terephthalate |
| Plastic that is part of a state program | Plastic beverage containers are part of the Beverage Container Recycling Program |
| Plastic that is banned | Single-use plastic bags |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling symbols and numbers on plastic items
The recycling symbol typically consists of a number placed inside a triangle, with letters placed below the triangle. For instance, a "7" shall appear below the resin abbreviation when the bottle or container is composed of more than one layer of that resin. The Division of Recycling in the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery maintains a list of abbreviations used on labels.
It is important to note that recycling symbols and numbers on plastic items are not the only indicators of recyclability. Other factors include the color, density, and transparency of the plastic. Additionally, some plastic items may be made of mixed materials, which can make recycling more challenging.
California has been taking steps to address its plastic problem. For instance, in 2020, the state passed a "minimum recycled content" bill, which mandates that most plastic beverage bottles contain a minimum amount of recycled content. Additionally, in 2022, Senate Bill 54 was signed into law, mandating that by 2032, 25% of single-use plastic be eliminated, 65% of single-use plastic be recycled, and 100% of single-use packaging be recyclable or compostable.
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Plastic items that can be recycled in California
California has been taking steps to reduce plastic waste and boost the demand for recycled plastic. In 2020, the Assembly Bill 793 was passed, which mandated that most plastic beverage bottles contain a minimum amount of recycled content. The state also has one of the highest recycling rates in the country, especially for cans and bottles.
However, it can be tricky to know which plastic items can be recycled. Most plastic items have a recycling symbol with a number between 1-7, indicating the type of plastic used. Plastics with numbers 1, 2, and 5 are deemed recyclable in California, especially when in rigid forms like milk jugs, water bottles, jars, and yogurt tubs. These numbers indicate that the plastic is widely recycled in the US, and local waste management practices will determine whether the rest of the numbered plastics can be recycled. It is important to note that some plastic types with these numbers are used for non-recyclable items like utensils and plastic bags.
To address the challenges of plastic recycling, California's recycling authority, CalRecycle, has released a list of materials considered recyclable. They also work to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic to protect the state's environment. Additionally, Senate Bill 54 was signed into law in 2022, which sets targets for eliminating and recycling single-use plastic by 2032.
Despite these efforts, California still dumps over 12,000 tons of plastic into landfills daily. This highlights the ongoing challenges of plastic recycling, where most plastic ends up in landfills, including plastic cutlery, coffee cups, takeout boxes, used cosmetics, styrofoam trays, and plastic bags.
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Plastic items that cannot be recycled in California
Plastic waste is a significant issue in California, with the state dumping over 12,000 tons of plastic into landfills each day. Despite having one of the highest recycling rates in the country, California's recycling system is overwhelmed by plastic. This is partly due to the wide variety of plastic types, formulations, densities, transparencies, and colors, as well as the fact that many products are made of mixed materials. As a result, certain plastic items cannot be recycled in California.
Plastic bags are a major challenge for recycling companies and are not accepted by most curbside programs in California. Plastic bags, including those used for shopping or frozen foods, are often mistakenly believed to be recyclable due to the chasing arrows symbol on their packaging. However, this symbol does not guarantee recyclability, and these plastic bags end up in landfills or are exported overseas.
Utensils and flexible film items, and other products made from plastics marked with numbers 1, 2, and 5 may also be non-recyclable. While these plastic types are generally recyclable in rigid forms like milk jugs and water bottles, they become non-recyclable when used for utensils or flexible items.
Additionally, some plastic items with mixed or unrecyclable components should be excluded from recycling. For example, clamshell packaging, PP5 materials, or aerosol containers that do not meet California's criteria are considered non-recyclable.
It's important to note that the recyclability of plastic items may vary across different municipalities in California. While some cities may accept a broader range of plastics for recycling, others may be more limited to specific types, such as numbers 1 and 2 plastics (PETE and HDPE). To properly dispose of non-recyclable plastic items, individuals can refer to resources like StopWaste's re:source tool, which provides disposal guidelines based on zip codes.
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California's plastic waste problem
California has been facing a significant plastic waste problem, with more than 12,000 tons of plastic ending up in landfills daily, filling approximately 219 Olympic-sized swimming pools annually. The state's recycling and waste management agency, CalRecycle, acknowledges the issue, and efforts are underway to address it.
The complexity of plastic recycling poses a challenge. Plastic products vary in chemical formulations, densities, transparencies, and colours, and many items are made of mixed materials, making sorting and separating a daunting task. Additionally, not all plastics are equally recyclable; those labelled 1, 2, and 5 are more commonly accepted for recycling, especially in rigid forms like milk jugs and water bottles.
To tackle this crisis, California passed the Plastic Waste Reduction Act (SB54) in 2022. This legislation sets ambitious targets: by 2032, it aims to eliminate 25% of single-use plastic, recycle 65% of such waste, and ensure that 100% of single-use packaging is recyclable or compostable. Assembly Bill 793, which came into effect in 2020, also mandates that plastic beverage bottles contain a minimum amount of recycled content to boost demand for recycled plastic.
California has also been proactive in implementing policies to reduce plastic consumption and improve waste management. The state was the first to ban single-use plastic bags, and while this initially led to a 47% increase in plastic bag waste, recent efforts are focused on banning thicker plastic bags that have emerged as a loophole. The California Plastic Waste Reduction Regulations Initiative, which appeared on the 2022 ballot, proposed a $0.01 fee on all plastic packaging to regulate and limit production and consumption.
The state is also leveraging technology to address the issue. TNC, for instance, is using remote sensing and machine learning to map plastic use across California. They are also evaluating the impact of microfibers from clothing and manufacturing to develop effective solutions. These combined efforts demonstrate California's commitment to tackling its plastic waste problem and finding innovative solutions to protect the environment and human health.
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California's efforts to reduce plastic waste
California has been taking several steps to reduce plastic waste and position itself as a global leader in effective plastic waste reduction. The state boasts one of the highest recycling rates in the country, particularly for cans and bottles.
In 2014, California passed a law banning single-use plastic grocery bags. However, stores were still permitted to provide thicker, "reusable" plastic bags. Recognizing the challenges of recycling plastic, California lawmakers passed the Assembly Bill 793 in 2020, which mandated that most plastic beverage bottles contain a minimum amount of recycled content. This law aimed to boost demand for recycled plastic and reduce the use of new plastic, or "virgin resin," in bottle manufacturing.
In 2022, California took a significant step forward by passing the Plastic Waste Reduction Act (SB54), considered the most aggressive anti-plastic legislation in the country. This law sets ambitious targets: by 2032, it mandates that 25% of single-use plastic be eliminated, 65% of single-use plastic be recycled, and 100% of single-use packaging be recyclable or compostable. Additionally, plastic producers will be required to contribute to a plastic pollution mitigation fund.
Despite these legislative victories, challenges remain. California still dumps over 12,000 tons of plastic into landfills daily, and the system is overwhelmed by plastic waste. Sorting and separating the various types of plastic for recycling is a complex task, and most plastic ends up in landfills.
To address these issues, organizations like TNC are working to implement solutions that match the scale and pace of the plastic pollution crisis. They are advancing collaborative research, policy leadership, and innovative business models to reduce plastic production, consumption, and waste management.
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Frequently asked questions
Almost every plastic bottle or container has a recycling symbol numbered between 1-7, usually stamped at the bottom. Plastics marked with numbers 1, 2, and 5 are deemed recyclable, particularly when in rigid forms like milk jugs, water bottles, jars, and yogurt tubs.
In 2022, Senate Bill 54 was signed into law. This law mandates that by 2032, 25% of single-use plastic be eliminated, 65% of single-use plastic be recycled, and 100% of single-use packaging be recyclable or compostable. California was also the first state to ban single-use plastic bags.
A general guideline is that tubs, bottles, and jugs are recyclable. Always remember to empty your plastic containers before recycling. If you are unsure about how to dispose of an item, StopWaste’s re:source tool can tell you how to dispose of certain products within your specific zip code.
