Chloe Zhang
Plastic waste is a major environmental concern, and it is crucial that we all do our part to reduce it. Recycling plastic is an important step towards a more sustainable future. However, it is a complex process due to the wide variety of plastics in use. While some types of plastic are widely accepted by recycling programs, others are harder to recycle and may require special disposal. To recycle plastic properly, it is essential to understand the types of plastic accepted by your local recycling program and to prepare the plastic items accordingly.
How to Recycle Modern Plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic waste generated in the US in 2018 | 35 million tons |
| Percentage of plastic waste recycled in the US in 2018 | 8.7% |
| Plastic bottles recycled by Americans in 2019 | 2.8 billion pounds |
| Percentage of plastic bottles recycled by Americans in 2019 | 28% |
| Plastic bottle caps recycled into | Auto parts, bike racks, storage bins, shipping pallets |
| Plastic bags recycled into | Lumber for decks and fences |
| Plastic yogurt cups recycled into | Food storage containers, kitchen tools |
| Plastic shampoo bottles recycled into | Playground equipment, soft durable fabrics for clothing |
| Types of plastic recycling | Biological, mechanical, chemical |
| Steps to recycle plastic properly | Clean and sort plastic items, remove labels and wash out food or liquid residue, sort by type of plastic |
| Plastic items that cannot be recycled | Plastic utensils, compostable plastic, plastic wraps, plastic bags |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling modern plastic: the process
Plastic waste is a significant environmental concern, and recycling it is crucial for a greener planet. However, despite discussions on recyclable packaging, most plastics remain non-recyclable globally. The recycling process for modern plastic typically involves three steps: collection and sorting, cleaning, and then recycling through either biological, mechanical, or chemical methods.
The first step in the process is collection and sorting. Many communities now collect plastic containers for products like yoghurt, as well as plastic bags and wrapping, or "soft plastics". Large retailers often accept these materials for recycling. It is important to check with local programs and retailers to confirm what can be recycled in your area. Some plastics, like compostable bioplastics, may need to be taken to a specific drop-off location.
The next step is to clean the plastic items. This involves removing any food or liquid residue and ensuring they are "'spatula-clean". Labels and stickers should also be taken off.
Finally, the plastic can be recycled. There are three main types of recycling: biological, mechanical, and chemical. Chemical recycling, which includes dissolution, depolymerisation, and conversion, is a popular method that breaks down polymers into fuel sources or raw materials for new plastics. However, it has faced backlash from environmental organisations due to its reinforcement of our dependence on fossil fuels. Mechanical recycling involves shredding plastic into flakes or melt-processing it into pellets before moulding it into new products.
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What plastic can be recycled?
Plastic is one of the most versatile materials in modern times, and recycling it can help conserve limited natural resources and energy. While almost all plastic can be recycled in theory, in practice, there are several barriers to this process. For instance, certain plastics are not widely recyclable, and some are contaminated by food or other substances, making them unfit for reuse. Additionally, some plastic items are made of multiple types of plastic or different layers, making them difficult and costly to separate for recycling.
The most widely recycled plastic globally is PET, which is used to make bottles for water, soda, and other drinks, as well as cooking oil containers and food jars. PET bottles can be recycled into new bottles or even fashion items like polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets. HDPE is another commonly recycled plastic, used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent containers, and is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide.
Some plastics, like PVC, are soft and flexible, used for household products like tubing, toys, and trays, but they cannot be recycled. Similarly, plastic wrappings made of LDPE or type 4 plastic, such as grocery or produce bags, are not recyclable and can cause tangles in recycling equipment. Other non-recyclable plastics include bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper, and polycarbonate.
The recyclability of plastic also depends on local programs and infrastructure. It is essential to check with local recycling providers to learn which types of plastic they accept. Some communities may not have specific recycling programs for all plastics, and certain plastics may require more specific action for recycling. Symbols and resin numbers on plastic products can help identify their recyclability and the type of plastic they are made of.
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Preparing plastic for recycling
Firstly, check with your local recycling program to find out which types of plastic they accept. For example, some localities do not accept styrofoam, and some types of plastic, such as compostable bioplastics, should not be placed in your dry recycling collection as they cannot be recycled in the same way as non-biodegradable plastic.
Secondly, ensure that your plastic items are clean and free from contaminants. Food residue is a common contaminant, so rinse or scrape any remaining food from containers before placing them in the recycling bin. Labels, tape, and adhesive strips must also be removed from plastic before it can be recycled.
Finally, flatten any plastic containers before placing them in the bin, and cut off sealable zippers from plastic sandwich bags.
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Where to recycle plastic
Plastic bags are among the most common sources of marine debris, and they do not biodegrade, so it is important to recycle them. Most plastic bags are made from high-density polyethylene (#2 plastic), but thinner-material bags (e.g. produce bags) are made from low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic).
You can recycle plastic bags at most national grocery retailers (e.g. Kroger, Safeway, Target, and Walmart) and many smaller retailers. The bins are usually located near the front entrance. You can use the Recycling Search to find a location near you by entering your ZIP code.
Before recycling, make sure the bags are clean and free of food, crumbs, stickers, and receipts. All these items will contaminate your bag load. You should also tear off any sticky labels where possible.
Plastic bags are not accepted through most local curbside recycling programs due to their flexible material. Soft plastics like single-use shopping bags and films can become "tanglers" and clog recycling machinery used to recycle plastic bottles, containers, and other heavier plastics.
However, there are a handful of curbside programs on both coasts that accept plastic bags. You should check with your local program before recycling plastic bags at the curb.
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The future of plastic recycling
Plastic recycling is an essential part of creating a circular economy and reducing environmental waste. The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has been instrumental in advocating for policies and infrastructure to improve the recycling process. In 2022, North American recyclers kept over five billion pounds of plastic out of landfills, demonstrating the effectiveness of recycling programs.
However, there is still room for improvement. APR members have the capacity to significantly increase their recycling rates for certain plastics if they can secure more supply. This challenge is often posed by the proliferation of inexpensive virgin plastic, which undermines the demand for recycled materials. To address this, governments at various levels are exploring solutions, such as charging fees on plastic products that use non-recycled material. This shift could incentivize manufacturers to move away from virgin resins and increase the demand for recycled plastics.
To further enhance the effectiveness of plastic recycling, collaboration is key. The industry requires the collective efforts of reclaimers, manufacturers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. By working together, the goal of creating a more sustainable future can be achieved.
Additionally, consumers play a vital role in the recycling process. It is important to check with local recycling programs to understand which types of plastic they accept and properly prepare materials for recycling, such as removing food residue and separating different materials. By optimizing the recycling process, we can reduce our reliance on creating new plastic and contribute to environmental conservation.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step to recycling plastic is to check what your local recycling program accepts. Then, clean and sort the plastic items by removing any labels or stickers and washing out any food or liquid residue. Finally, sort the plastic by type to ensure that each material is recycled properly.
Plastic bottles, plastic containers for products such as yogurt, sour cream, and condiments, plastic bottle caps, plastic grocery bags, and plastic wraps.
Plastic utensils, compostable plastics, and plastic with food debris.
After being sorted and cleaned, plastic can be shredded into flakes or melt-processed to form pellets before being moulded into new products.
